Jail inmate seeks millions in damages

SANDPOINT - A Bonner County Jail inmate is seeking millions of dollars in damages claiming he was given substandard mental health care for more than four months.

Robert James Sutton Jr.'s tort claim seeks $150 million. The claim serves as a notice of intent to sue and would permit Sutton to file a civil suit if the county declines to pay the damages.

Sutton alleges his mental health needs were largely ignored until the American Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf, according to the five-page claim filed last month in 1st District Court.

Sutton is awaiting trial on charges of aggravated assault and witness intimidation for allegedly threatening the life of an informant in a drug investigation which targeted one of his relatives. The confrontation took place at the informant's Sandpoint apartment on June 17, 2008, according to charging papers.

Sutton pleaded innocent to the charges and maintains he has an alibi for the day in question, court records indicate.

Sutton's trial on the felony charges is set for next month.

Sutton, 26, was scheduled to be tried last year, although the criminal proceedings were suspended in the fall, after questions were raised about his mental health and ability to assist in his own defense.

Sutton claims in the tort he advised jailers he was having suicidal thoughts in June, but received no treatment until August, when Sutton's mother contacted the ACLU. Sutton said in the tort he was finally prescribed medications, but they were ineffective.

Sutton argues in the claim his state and federal inmate rights have been violated.