Family of Dan Schlienz pursuing lawsuit

The family of Daniel Schlienz, who became ill in jail and later died after he was arrested for a shooting in the Cook County courthouse is pursuing a possible lawsuit against St. Louis County.

But the Duluth News Tribune reports that Sheriff Ross Litman is standing by his jailhouse staff and says they did everything they could for 42-year-old Daniel Schlienz.

Schlienz was accused of shooting County Attorney Tim Scannell and witness Gregg Thompson in the Cook County Courthouse on Dec. 16, and he was being held at the St. Louis County jail. He soon became ill and was taken to a hospital, where he died Dec. 27. An autopsy showed he died from a bacterial infection.

A News Tribune review of written records and recordings of calls Schlienz made to friends and family show staff members checked on Schlienz at regular intervals before he died. The records note that Schlienz was sick but that there weren't clear indications he should've gone to the hospital sooner.

Schlienz's family is questioning his care and says he should've been taken to the hospital sooner. Records obtained by the newspaper show he was monitored and received care when he got sick.

Family members said Schlienz had a cough on and off for a couple years, and it returned after officers subdued him with a chemical spray following the shootings.

Steven Oppel, a fellow inmate, told the newspaper Schlienz became seriously ill Dec. 24.

Oppel said he asked jail staff on Dec. 25 to get medical attention for Schlienz but was denied.

Jail records, audio and video recordings don't support Oppel's claims. Records show Oppel and Schlienz played cards all afternoon and evening on Christmas Day.