I didn't just do this for my son. Sheriff Larry Olivarez refused to comment on the outcome, but Walter Bryan, assistant county attorney, said the settlement is best for both sides. One of the considerations when we represent a case is how we're going to cover the costs. Julian Sokolinski sat through nearly all of the trial, growing red-faced and tearful during graphic testimony by former inmates who said they saw Andrew Sokolinski endure a severe beating. I think there needs to be a criminal investigation into this case.
Someone needs to hear all of the evidence.
During the trial, Tyner Little, an attorney representing the county, argued that officers used reasonable force to restrain Sokolinski, whom Little described as combative the night he died. Questions raised Nueces County jailers did not promptly examine Sokolinski to see if he should be given special handling for mental illness, even though state rules required it, a sheriff's official testified Wednesday morning. Pete Peralta, chief deputy of the Nueces County Sheriff's Department, testified that rules set by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards require jail officials to determine within 72 hours after incarceration whether an inmate has mental problems. Jail officials do that as part of a classification system to decide the safest way to handle inmates who might have mental problems or gang affiliations. Peralta testified no classification was done on Sokolinski within 72 hours.