Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Charles Temple ordered William James, 37, freed at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The order came a day after a lengthy hearing that disclosed nearly non-existent testing for inmates, a high rate of infection among staff and practices that do not conform to state and federal guidelines.
âThe court is deeply troubled by the cavalier attitude that (Hillsborough County House of Correction) had shown towards its inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic,â Temple wrote.
He noted that James has risk factors that put him at danger for complications. Testimony on Wednesday focused on his hepatitis C condition.
Temple noted that James was being held in a quarantine unit with incoming inmates. He warned they could become infected and spread the virus throughout the facility.
Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Charles Temple ordered William James, 37, freed at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The order came a day after a lengthy hearing that disclosed nearly non-existent testing for inmates, a high rate of infection among staff and practices that do not conform to state and federal guidelines.
âThe court is deeply troubled by the cavalier attitude that (Hillsborough County House of Correction) had shown towards its inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic,â Temple wrote.
He noted that James has risk factors that put him at danger for complications. Testimony on Wednesday focused on his hepatitis C condition.
Temple noted that James was being held in a quarantine unit with incoming inmates. He warned they could become infected and spread the virus throughout the facility.
Lawyer says inmate with virus should be released
The state s largest county jail, in Manchester, has a little over 200 inmates. Less than 15 have been tested for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. NHPR
Modified: 12/31/2020 6:26:02 PM
A judge is considering whether an inmate at Valley Street Jail who has COVID-19 should be released on bail, in light of concerns about the facility’s management of health and safety during the pandemic.
On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Charles Temple heard over three hours of arguments and testimony on the Manchester jail’s COVID-19 protocols. Attorney Elliot Friedman argued those protocols endanger the health and life of his client, William Jones.
Judge orders man freed from Valley Street jail citing jail s cavalier attitude toward COVID unionleader.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from unionleader.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Credit Emily Corwin for NHPR
A judge is considering whether an inmate at Valley Street Jail who has COVID-19 should be released on bail, in light of concerns about the facility s management of health and safety during the pandemic.
On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Charles Temple heard over three hours of arguments and testimony on the Manchester jail s COVID-19 protocols. Attorney Elliot Friedman argued those protocols endanger the health and life of his client, William Jones.
Jones, who is in preventative detention awaiting trial, is one of two inmates who recently tested positive for the virus. Friedman says Jones treatment by staff, quality of food, and access to counsel has diminished while he’s been under quarantine.