Most Texans do not realize that an average of 49% of the people held in a county lockup are pre-trial—not yet convicted. The system moves exceedingly slow unless you have money or connections. Now imagine what happens to those with a serious medical problem, like asthma or a heart condition.
Timothy Cole had asthma and he was in a state prison not jail, but he got the same lack of care there as in many county jails. And he was innocent of the crime he in for. Somehow that innocent man was still able to say: "I have been blessed, I am thankful for the roof over my head and every piece of bread. I still believe in the justice system even though it does not believe in me." And Tim died there 10 years ago this week, as a result of poor medical care and before that, the biased and incompetent law enforcement of his home town.
Read this powerful piece on the anniversary of his death in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/opinions/story/1803462.html