Sheriff's Cover-up?

Gregory: "Okay, and I understand that part. So let me ask you, did you say something along that line?"

Spidell: "I may have. I honestly do not remember. . . ."
Bates then asked for clarification: If Spidell had barked at Walsh, why had he done so? Spidell answered that he was concerned Norberg might be faking his inability to breathe, and would attack them if they let up.

Instead, Norberg died while being held with his chin forced down to his chest.

There was still more news about the jails last Friday.
Richard Post, the paraplegic whose neck was broken during a single night in jail, told New Times he's finally been given a trial date (in April) and has set the level of damages he's seeking at $10 million.

Meanwhile, a new jail abuse lawsuit was filed Friday. Annette Romo claims that on April 20, 1997, jail guards were indifferent as she lost her fetus and bled for hours. She was eventually rushed to a hospital, where she was given five pints of blood. Later, she claims, she was assaulted by a guard.

Since January, Amnesty International has been requesting information on Romo's case from the sheriff's office and has received no response. The sheriff's office tells New Times that Romo's claims are "groundless." Romo is seeking $5 million.

Contact Tony Ortega at his online address: tortega@newtimes.com