A federal court lawsuit against DeKalb County over the death of an inmate while in custody of the Sheriff’s Department two years ago has been set for a jury trial in December.
Doris Hullett filed the lawsuit a year ago in the death of her son, Jackie Lee Snider, who was arrested December 31, 2009 and died on January 30, 2010 after being taken from the jail to DeKalb Community Hospital. According to the lawsuit, “the medical examiner reported that Snider died of pancreatitis, which is an extremely painful and serious medical condition. If Snider’s pancreatitis had been treated on or before the morning of January 30, 2010, Snider would have survived without permanent, long term consequences”.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants violated Snider’s constitutional rights when they denied him reasonable medical care for his serious medical condition, thereby causing him extensive pain and suffering and ultimately death.
In response to the lawsuit, Sheriff Patrick Ray released the following statement to WJLE. “I have been advised by the County Attorney to decline discussions or comments on any pending litigation; however, I have confidence in my employees and in the manner of the operations of the DeKalb County Jail,” said Sheriff Ray.
Defendants named in the lawsuit include DeKalb County; Patrick Ray, individually and in his official capacity as Sheriff; Kenneth Ray, Rick Smith, Jim Hendrix, Mark Nichols, Ernie Hargis, Kyle Casper, individually and in their official capacities; John Does 1-4; Renee Riddle, LPN; Robert Alan Stultz, PA; and Southern Health Partners, Inc.
Hullett is seeking compensatory damages against all defendants, jointly and severally in the amount of $750,000; an award, including loss of consortium in the amount of $750,000; punitive damages in the amount of $1,250,000; attorney fees and litigation expenses in an amount to be determined at trial; and treble damages; plus such other and further legal and or equitable relief to which she may be entitled or the court deems proper.
The lawsuit was brought against DeKalb County because it is “responsible for the funding for the operation of the Sheriff’s Department and the DeKalb County Jail and that the county was the employer” of the other defendants.
Sheriff Ray is named in the lawsuit because he was “the policymaker and most senior decision maker with respect to establishing, implementing and training of employees on the rules, regulations and policies and practices of the DeKalb County Jail applicable to the delivery of Jail detainee health care”.
Kenneth Ray is named because he was employed “as jail administrator with supervisory authority over the jail employees and detainees, including Snider. Ray was further responsible for the training of the jail employees on the jail policies and practices applicable to the delivery of Jail detainee health care”.
Defendants Rick Smith, Jim Hendrix, Mark Nichols, Ernie Hargis, and Kyle Casper “were correction officers working at the jail, who were responsible for implementing the Jail’s policy and procedures applicable to the delivery of Jail detainee health care,” according to the lawsuit.
Defendants John Does 1-4 “are other unidentified employees at the jail, who upon belief and information were correction officers working at the Jail and who were responsible for implementing the Jail’s policy and procedures applicable to the delivery of Jail detainee health care”.
Southern Health Partners, Inc (SHP) is a company doing business in the state and performing the traditional state government function of providing health care to Jail detainees through a contractual relationship with the county, and as such, all actions and inaction of SHP and its employees in the health care evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of Snider were acting under color of state law. Accordingly, SHP and its employees are state actors for the purposes of liability.”
“Renee Riddle is a licensed practical nurse, who is employed by SHP and working at the Jail at all times mentioned” in the lawsuit.
“Robert Alan Stults, PA is a licensed physician’s assistant, who is employed by SHP and working at the Jail at all times mentioned” in the lawsuit.
The underlying facts alleged in the lawsuit are as follows:
“On or about December 31, 2009, Snider was arrested and taken to the Jail. He was under the continuous exclusive custody and control of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and its employees and officials during his incarceration until he died on January 30, 2010. During his incarceration, the only health care evaluation and or treatment made available to him was through SHP, Riddle and Stults”.
“On or about January 3, 2010 Snider began vomiting 6-7 times a day which continued in such an amount nearly every day until his death. From January 3-30, 2010, Snider complained every day to correction officers of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting”, according to the lawsuit.
“Between January 15-26, Hullett repeatedly called the Jail and complained about Snider being sick and needing to be “seen by a medical doctor”. On each occasion, Hullett was told by defendants Ray, Smith, and Hendrix that “we will watch him.”
“On January 4, Snider complained of abdominal pain to Riddle, who was the nurse on duty at the Jail. Riddle did not evaluate Snider’s complaints nor did she report such to a physician or physician assistant. Riddle did not follow up with Snider on his complaints,” according to the lawsuit.
“On January 12, Snider was seen by Riddle. During this examination, Snider complained of stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, headaches, nervousness, vomiting, and muscle and joint problems”. Significant weight loss was not addressed by Riddle, nor did she consult with a physician or assistant regarding Snider’s physical change.”
“On January 16, Snider complained to Smith of chest pain, tightness of the chest, heart burn, heart racing and headache. Snider asked to be transported to the emergency room. Snider’s request was ignored by Smith, and Snider was not examined by a health care provider that day.”
“On January 16, Smith made notes in the Jail computer regarding Snider needing to be seen by a health care provider, but these were erased from the computer.”
“On January 17, Smith instructed Casper to give Snider a sick call slip to see the doctor the next day. Smith told Casper that Snider was sick, but Casper failed and refused to do so. Snider was not allowed to see the doctor.”
“On January 18, Hullet called the Sheriff at home. She told him that Snider was sick and she asked him if Snider saw the “doctor” who had visited the Jail that day. The Sheriff told Hullett that only one inmate had seen the doctor that day and it was not Snider. Hullett, again, insisted to the Sheriff that Snider needed to see a doctor.”
“On January 18, Smith called Riddle and stated, that Snider was complaining of anxiety. Snider was not seen by the nurse or doctor, and he was not provided any health care in response to his complaint.”
“On January 19, Riddle saw Snider because as she told him,”your mom kept calling”, and he needed to tell her to “quit worrying me to death”. Riddle documented that Snider “doesn’t feel well. During the approximate 3rd and 4th weeks of January, 2010, Hullett spoke with Riddle on approximately three separate occasions. During each of these occasions Hullett told Riddle that Snider was hurting and needed to be seen by a doctor. Riddle replied to Hullett, “we will take care of him.”
“On January 25, Snider completed an Inmate Sick Call Slip and writes, “..Almost 2 weeks hurting bad..” The assessment of Snider by Riddle on January 25 does not reflect that there was a detailed history taken to evaluate such pain, nor was Snider’s abdomen examined. Riddle did not make a referral to a physician or assistant for evaluation of Snider’s complaint of “two weeks’ of abdominal pain.”
According to the lawsuit, “On January 30, Snider was carried out of the general detainee population and placed in the floor of the holding cell. Snider laid in the holding cell, vomiting on himself for 30 minutes before an ambulance was dispatched by county officials. When the paramedics arrived, they found Snider with vomitus around his head. He was pulseless, No one had begun chest compressions prior to the paramedics arriving. Snider was transported to DeKalb Community Hospital. He could not be resuscitated. He was pronounced dead in less than an hour after arrival to the hospital.”
The lawsuit claims that “with full knowledge that Jail detainees would suffer inadequate health care for their serious medical conditions, the county inadequately provided the Sheriff with funds to operate the Jail. Because of this and rising health care costs of the Jail detainees, the Sheriff had a policy and practice that allowed the release of Jail detainees to obtain their own health care for their non-serious and serious medical problems. At the conclusion of such health care treatment, the released detainees were arrested and re-incarcerated. This custom, policy and practice existed prior to and after Snider’s death. Defendants never provided this option to Snider”, according to the lawsuit.
“Additionally, the Sheriff had a custom, policy and practice of minimizing Jail detainee’s access to health care outside of the Jail, for which the Sheriff and not SHP, was financially responsible. This action was taken to control the rising Jail detainee health cost with the Sheriff’s full knowledge of the risk that such actions were life-threatening to Jail detainees and would cause a deprivation of Jail detainees’ federally protected rights.”
“By virtue of the facts pled herein, defendants acted objectively and subjectively with deliberate indifference to the health care needs of Snider for treatment of his serious medical condition, which were the proximate and direct cause of Hullett’s emotional pain and suffering and Snider’s emotional and physical pain and suffering and death.” according to the lawsuit.
Hullett is represented by Cynthia A. Wilson and Kenneth S. Williams of Cookeville while the County, Sheriff, Kenneth Ray, Rick Smith, Jim Hendrix, Mark Nichols, Ernie Hargis, and Kyle Casper are all represented by Jennifer Orr Locklin of Nashville. Riddle, Stultz, and Southern Health Partners, Inc. are represented by Daniel F. Beasley of Huntsville, Alabama.

A 47 year old man accused of providing beer to two fourteen year old girls and engaging in sexual activity with them almost a year ago pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in DeKalb County Criminal Court Monday, January 23
Judge Leon Burns, Jr. sentenced Walter Hartman to an eight year term in each case to serve. The sentences will run consecutively or back to back for a total of sixteen years. Hartman must register as a sex offender and he will be under supervision for life. He was given jail credit from February 26, 2011 to January 23, 2012.
According to Detective Matt Holmes of the Smithville Police Department, who investigated the case, the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning, February 26 at Hartman’s home where a birthday party had been held Friday night for one of the girls, who is related to Hartman. The other girl is a friend who had come over for the party and had planned to stay the night.
Detective Holmes said that Hartman had given the girls three beers each for the birthday party and the girls told police that they had drank some of the beer. Later, as the girls were lying on a pallet in the floor watching TV, Hartman approached them complaining of back pain. He asked the girls to give him a back massage. After one of the girls fell asleep on the pallet, Hartman allegedly began massaging the other girl’s back, before removing nearly all of her clothes, and then engaging in sexual activity with her. He also allegedly made sexual contact with the girl who had fallen asleep.
Detective Holmes said the girls later contacted police to report that they had been raped.
Meanwhile, a Dowelltown woman, accused of breaking into the home of a neighbor on four separate occasions last July while the victim was in the nursing home, has been convicted of four counts of aggravated burglary
40 year old Tammy Denise Currie pleaded guilty to all four counts in DeKalb County Criminal Court on Monday.
She received a six year sentence in each case to run concurrently. The sentences have been suspended to supervised probation by community corrections. She has been ordered to stay away from the victim and family and make restitution totaling $8,250, paying $250 monthly. She was given jail credit from July 26, 2011 to January 23, 2012
According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, Currie took advantage of her neighbor being in a nursing home, going to the residence on East Main Street, Dowelltown four times in July to remove items from the home.
On each occasion, Currie entered the residence through a back door
On July 5, Currie allegedly stole several dishes, antique plate sets, China sets, and other glass items valued at $200.
Three days later on July 8, Currie allegedly took more dishware from the home, valued at $150 including China cups, matching some of the dishes taken on July 5.
Currie returned to the home on July 12 and allegedly stole a box of China dolls, two bb guns, and two lamps, valued at $475.
On July 14, Currie entered the home again and allegedly took a suitcase, jewelry, and a VCR, valued at $390.
39 year old Melisha Cantrell pleaded guilty to simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance. She received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on probation, including six months supervised and six months unsupervised. Cantrell must also pay a fine of $750.

If you reside in the sixth district and would like to fill the unexpired term of Bruce Parsley on the Board of Education you may submit your letter of interest to the county mayor’s office at the courthouse.
The county commission Monday night voted to accept applications through noon on Monday, February 6.
Parsley, who was elected in August 2008, resigned as of December 31 to pursue a career as a certified teacher. His term expires August 31.
Your application can be simply preparing a letter stating your interest in being considered for the position. The person selected by the commission will serve until August 31.
The county commission will conduct interviews of all applicants for the position during an all-committees meeting on the evening of Thursday, February 23 and then choose one of the applicants to fill the unexpired term during the next regular meeting on Monday night, February 27.
Two persons, Boyd Trapp and Doug Stephens attended last Thursday night’s all-committees meeting of the county commission to express their interest. They were also present during Monday nights regular meeting.
In the August DeKalb County General Election, school board members from both the fifth and sixth districts will be elected, each to serve a four year term. The qualifying deadline to get your name on the ballot in the school board races is April 5.
In other business, the county commission took no action on a school board request that the County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS) be asked to do a traffic study in the school zones in Smithville.
County Attorney Hilton Conger said he had received a letter from Director of Schools Mark Willoughby concerning the school board’s request but found that CTAS does not perform traffic studies. “I did check with CTAS and got a response back from them that CTAS does not do traffic studies.” Conger said that he would respond to Willoughby’s letter.
The school board has also made a similar request of the city, asking that City Attorney Vester Parsley and city officials seek a traffic study through the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). No word yet on whether the city will follow through on the request.
Meanwhile, the commission, on a near unanimous voice vote, adopted a resolution to mirror a similar one approved by the local democratic party on Saturday expressing opposition to the Republican drawn state redistricting plan, which splits DeKalb County between the 40th and 46th legislative districts. Fourth district member David McDowell voted no.
The resolution states “Whereas DeKalb County has always been represented by one State Representative and one State Senator;
Whereas, DeKalb County cannot have an effective voice in state government when its citizens are split amongst multiple legislative districts (especially given the size of the county and of the newly carved segments);
Whereas, there is both a constitutional and case law requirement that lawmakers avoid splitting counties into multiple legislative districts;
Be it resolved that the Democratic Party of DeKalb County hereby asks the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the redistricting plan to keep all of DeKalb County in one Senate and one Representative district.”
In a letter to County Mayor Mike Foster, DeKalb County Democratic Party Secretary Joyce Hendrixson requested that the county commission adopt this resolution as approved by the Democratic Party’s Executive Committee and mass attendees on Saturday. “The Party voted to request help from the Tennessee State Legislature to address the injustice that has recently been done to the County by the proposed redistricting,’ she wrote.
“I am asking that the County Commission vote to voice their opposition to the newly proposed carving up of the county. The Governor has not yet signed off on the legislation.”
“David Harper, State Executive Committee Representative for the Democratic Party, 40th District, asked that a copy be mailed to the State Party by early Monday Morning. I have done that. I am asking that the Commission vote to oppose the redistricting Monday night, January 23,” wrote Hendrixson.
The letter went on to state that ” The new law, as is, would carve the County into two separate representative districts. DeKalb County has fewer than 20,000 citizens. One of the new districts, as is, would contain approximately 6,000 citizens and the other would contain approximately 12,000. Separately, the new districts would not provide sufficient voice for candidates to feel compelled to listen to the Citizens of the County, especially the precincts totaling approximately 6,000 citizens who would be relegated to an invisible and unvoiced status. We, the members of the Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Democratic Party, offer our signatures in opposition to the new redistricting plan. A universal voice vote of the mass attendees of approximately 150 people is also noted.”
Under the redistricting plan, all of the sixth district of DeKalb County, nearly all the seventh district, and portions of the second and fifth districts would be in State Representative Mark Pody’s 46th district which also includes Cannon and a large portion of Wilson County. The rest of DeKalb County would remain in State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver’s 40th district, which also includes Smith, Trousdale, and a portion of Sumner County.
On another issue, the county has tried for up to three years to have caution lights erected at the intersection of US 70 and highway 83 near Kilgore’s Restaurant, where several serious traffic accidents have occurred in recent years, and now comes another delay.
The state recently authorized the county to proceed with the project at the county’s expense and last summer the county commission voted to seek bids for the project. The county later awarded the contract to Stansell Electric. The cost was to be around $30,000. But County Mayor Mike Foster said Monday night that the county has since learned that the Tennessee Department of Transportation is prepared to fund the project through TDOT’s so called “Stop Safety Program.” “We’ve been three years trying to get lights put up at the intersection of Highway 70 and 83. We thought we had contracted with Stansell Electric to put up those lights but when they went to get the permit to put them up they got this response” (about TDOT funding for the project).
“Many months ago, I talked to TDOT about trying to get them to put up caution lights there because we felt like it was an extremely dangerous intersection,’ said Foster. We had 18-20 wrecks at that intersection. We felt like it would come under their (TDOT) guidelines to correct this extremely dangerous situation. We had applied (for state assistance) but I had not been told anything. But apparently we did get it (approval). I have now been informed that this project has been approved through the Stop Safety Program and that TDOT is currently under design and will go to bid under this program at a later date. TDOT has said that if the county wishes to pull its request from the Stop Safety program, it could but the county would be financially responsible for the work and would need to obtain the proper permits in order to proceed” said Foster.
The county commission Monday night voted to table any further action on proceeding with the project until Foster obtains official confirmation from TDOT on state funding.
In other business, the commission voted to advertise for bids on replacing the roof on the veteran’s building downtown and to do an emergency purchase on an electrical upgrade there.
The commission also gave its approval to officers selected by the county fire department. This is routinely done by the commission each January. Donny Green has again been named chief and Jeff Williams is the assistant chief.
A resolution was adopted by the commission seeking state action to make the sale of synthetic drugs a felony. Several other counties have adopted similar resolutions hoping to create a movement statewide to get this approved by the legislature.
The resolution states that “Whereas, synthetic marijuana and designer stimulants have created a public health problem in DeKalb County as witnessed by the DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department; and
Whereas, during a recent raid in September 2011 conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Attorney General’s Office, Rutherford County District Attorney’s Office, Murfreesboro Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, thirty six convenience stores in Rutherford County were found to be selling synthetic marijuana and designer stimulants for up to $30 per package; and
Whereas, currently in the State of Tennessee some of these products are being sold legally while some are covered under current legislation making them illegal but is a misdemeanor charge.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, that the DeKalb County legislative delegation be asked to write and pass comprehensive legislation to make the manufacturing, distribution, and selling of synthetic drugs a felony in the State of Tennessee.”

The DeKalb County Commission Monday night adopted a resolution honoring Eagle Scout Thomas Claston Beltz.
In reading his accomplishments, County Mayor Mike Foster said that Beltz is the son of Charles and Connie Beltz. “He earned his Eagle rank through the Boys Scouts on January 2, 2012. His project was landscaping the area in front of the outside eating spot beside the principal’s office at DCHS. He is an active member of FFA and will be graduating from DCHS in May. Beltz plays on the varsity soccer team. He has also joined the Marine Corps and he will be leaving for the marines in mid August,” said Foster.
The resolution states “Whereas, the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor wish to express their pride, respect, and appreciation to members of our community who so capably fulfill requirements and duties to reach lofty goals and levels of achievement.”
“Whereas, Thomas Beltz has broad and diverse achievements. He has distinguished himself as a student, an athlete, and a community leader. We wish to bestow our honor tonight for all those goals, but especially for the years with the Boy Scouts.”
“Whereas, only a select few Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Award. This award is a pinnacle sought by many and earned by few.”
“Whereas, the DeKalb County Commission and the DeKalb County Mayor wish to thank Thomas Beltz, his family, and other scouts who helped him and his leaders for the honors they have brought to themselves and DeKalb County.”
“Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the DeKalb County Commission that January 23, 2012 be officially named Eagle Scout Thomas Claston Beltz Day”

Members of the Aspen Education and Society program visited the state last week and paid a call on DeKalb County Schools Thursday, the only rural school district on the Aspen 2012 Tennessee tour. Aspen works with local, state and national education leaders to share and build knowledge about how school systems can improve.
The groups meet with various groups/stakeholders to listen and learn together and to put aside the political and ideological posturing that too often characterize education debates. They highlight the best work from the field, synthesize the best research and provide a forum for its distribution to those who can use it.
The Aspen Institute is in constant conversation with policymakers and practitioners, which helps foster a more productive dialogue for change. The Aspen group consists of many Education Legislative Assistants from the following Representatives: Jim Cooper, Phil Roe, Lamar Alexander, Marsha Blackburn, and Diane Black, along with several committee members representing the Majority Education Policy Advisor from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions staff.
The meeting Thursday morning started with the group of nineteen from Washington interviewing Mark Willoughby, Director of Schools and Central Office staff Michelle Burklow, Lisa Cripps, Gina Arnold, Dr. Danielle Collins, Lisa Bell, and Clay Farler. The day continued with a tour through DeKalb County High School led by Principal Kathy Hendrix. Interviews followed with four focus groups: Teachers, Principals, Students, and Community/Parents.
Director Willoughby, during his meeting with the Aspen group, addressed the issue of rural districts funding and concerns that they receive equal treatment by the state regarding Race to the Top monies
Willoughby said “our rural school system has 2,844 students. Are rural school districts receiving equal treatment by the state? No,” he said. ” Our rural school system received $243.00 per student from Race to the Top (RTTT) funds. Our urban counter part received $414.58 per student from RTTT funds. We should have received $171.58 more per student. If we were receiving equal treatment we should have received $487,973.52 additional money.
Is that equal? No,” said Willloughby
“The state average of funding per student is $9,084.00. Metro Nashville’s average is $11,080.00 per student. In DeKalb County, its $7666.00 per student,” said Willoughby
“Our students are funded $1,418.00 less per student than the state average.” he said.
“Should our rural school district be funded the same as the state average we would receive $4,032,792.00 more dollars to benefit our students,” said Willloughby
“Should our rural school district be funded the same as Metro Nashville we would receive $9,709,416.00 more dollars,” he added.
The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues.
The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways:
Seminars, which help participants reflect on what they think makes a good society, thereby deepening knowledge, broadening perspectives and enhancing their capacity to solve the problems leaders face.
Young-leader fellowships around the globe, which bring a selected class of proven leaders together for an intense multi-year program and commitment. The fellows become better leaders and apply their skills to significant challenges.
Policy programs, which serve as nonpartisan forums for analysis, consensus building, and problem solving on a wide variety of issues.
Public conferences and events, which provide a commons for people to share ideas.
The Institute is based in Washington, DC, Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners.