April 21, 2026·4:17-CV-00325-CRK-CDL·Panel Decision·Rossman, Circuit Judge·By Aisha Johnson
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision in a case involving the death of Terral Ellis in pretrial custody, where the jury awarded $33 million in compensatory damages for violation of constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Terral Ellis died in pretrial custody at the Ottawa County Jail due to septic shock from acute bronchopneumonia. His estate sued the Sheriff of Ottawa County under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for failing to provide adequate medical care.
The court’s reasoning
The court found that the evidence supported the jury’s verdict that the Sheriff’s office was deliberately indifferent to Mr. Ellis’s serious medical needs, violating his constitutional rights.
What it means going forward
The decision reinforces the accountability of jail officials for the medical care of detainees.
