Racine Investigators review paralyzed inmate case, determine officers did nothing wrong



RACINE(WITI) -- Last week FOX6 News showed surveillance footage, much of it disturbing to watch, of a cell entry at the Kenosha County Detention Center that left Sean Bialas paralyzed.

Racine County investigators reviewed the case and determined the officers did nothing wrong -- it was an unfortunate accident.

Bialas' attorney wants the district attorney to review the case, something he says it not happening.

Last November, a tactical unit busts into a cell to remove Sean Bialas -- authorities say he threatened to harm himself and refused to sit in a restraint chair or put on a restraint vest.

The cell extraction would leave the 21-year-old paralyzed from the shoulders down.

"The fact that my client suffered such a significant injury, fractured a cervical vertebrae in his neck, with the force that would've been needed to do that, raises concern as to how this extraction was done," said Jonathon Safran, Bialas' attorney.

Last week, FOX6 News obtained a copy of the final report put together by Racine County investigators who were asked to investigate Kenosha County's actions. That report concluded 'there is no basis to believe that excessive force was utilized.'

Bialas' attorney says despite that ruling, he asked the Kenosha County District Attorney to review the case.

"I then received a letter from their office indicating nothing had been referred to them and that it didn't seem as though they were going to do anything," said Safran.

Safran argues that because this is an officer-involved incident, the DA shouldn't need law enforcement to refer charges in order for his office to investigate.

"in that type of case, one would expect and I think citizens expect and would want their district attorney to then review that case just by the mere fact law enforcement would be involved," Safran said.

Safran says even if officers did nothing wrong during the cell entry, he wants the DA to also review the treatment of Bialas after he repeatedly told officers he was paralyzed.

"It is disturbing to watch, you actually see him flop forward in the chair, they're not supporting his body," said Safran.

The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office did not return our message today.

Safran says it isn't clear what kind of action was taken to cause Bialas to become paralyzed -- but he believes it might have been from an officer coming down on Bialas' neck.

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