Moss & Colella Secures $7 Million Settlement in Wayne County Jail Death Case

About the Case

Further investigation uncovered systemic failures that contributed to the deadly incident. Claude Lewis, who had been booked on a domestic violence charge, had a troubling history with eight prior convictions. Alarmingly, there was a documented warning that Lewis posed a threat and “may harm self or others.” Despite these red flags, Lewis was placed in a general population cell instead of being transferred to the county’s mental health floor, where he would have been housed in his own cell and monitored more closely. 

Sheriff Raphael Washington placed the blame for Thomas Carr’s murder on the failures of a single jail deputy, who was notably absent from his assigned post during the brutal attack. ‍

If the officer did his job, he could have stopped the assault or possibly even rendered aid after the assault, Washington stated during a November news conference addressing the tragedy.

The sheriff’s remarks painted the deputy’s negligence as a critical factor in the events that led to Carr’s death.

However, some county officials believe the issue runs deeper than one individual's mistake. Commissioner Glenn Anderson, who voted in favor of the $7 million settlement, expressed his concern about systemic issues within the facility. ‍

I think it indicates there’s a bigger problem there,” Anderson commented, pointing to broader failures that allowed such a tragedy to occur. I’m reluctant to say that anything should stop with the one individual that didn’t make the rounds, he added, suggesting that the deadly incident was symptomatic of larger, unresolved problems within the jail’s operations.

Detroit’s Top Civil Rights Attorneys 

Moss & Colella played a pivotal role in securing justice for the family of Thomas Carr, fighting to hold Wayne County accountable for the devastating failures that led to his death. Vince Colella, the lead attorney on the case, described the tragedy in stark terms:

‍It was a heinous death, it was a painful death, and it’s one that no person—whether they were in a jail or otherwise—should ever have to suffer.

The firm's relentless pursuit of justice resulted in a historic $7 million settlement, the largest negligence payout Wayne County has seen among more than 200 settlements since 2010.

Moss & Colella’s commitment to serving their clients extends far beyond the courtroom. With a deep dedication to civil rights and a track record of success, the firm continues to stand as a beacon of hope for families seeking justice. Moss & Colella offers free consultations, ensuring that everyone has access to the representation they deserve.