Court says sheriff not liable for jail infection

HOWELL (AP) -- Two former inmates at the Livingston County jail have failed in an attempt to hold the sheriff responsible for an infection called MRSA. A federal appeals court this week acknowledged that the infection can be serious. But the three-judge panel says Mark Bowers and Gerald Renaud received proper treatment in 2007 and 2008 and didn't suffer any long-term effects. Bowers developed an infection in his toe, while Renaud had problems with a hand and leg. The appeals court says there's no evidence that Sheriff Bob Bezotte was deliberately indifferent to the situation or personally aware of unsanitary conditions. There had been infections at the jail in the past, but the rate was extremely low. Published: Fri, Jun 10, 2011