(Image source: Gawker)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

58-year-old Stephen Slevin spent two years in solitary confinement over a 2005 DUI arrest in New Mexico -- without ever being prosecuted. Now, a court is awarding him $22 million for the way he was treated. 

“In that time, Slevin says he was forced to pull his own tooth because he was denied a dentist. He was also denied depression medication. His toenails grew so long they curled around his feet, and he had bed sores and skin fungus.” (KPRC)

Slevin told WRC he asked guards for medication to treat his depression.

“Walking by me every day, watching me deteriorate day after day after day and did nothing.”

And KTSM reports on how Slevin finally got out. 

“Slevin did not see a judge for the entire two years that he was there, but once he did see one he was immediately released and his charges were dropped.”

But, is the story over? The Dona Ana County jail says it will be filing an appeal in the case. KVIA reports the county says Slevin chose how he was treated -- for example … 

… that his hair was long because he chose not to use the razors he was offered. A county spokesperson and district attorney also addressed why Slevin was jailed for so long.

“He went silent on us. He just stopped communicating.”

“Only third judicial district attorneys office or his defense lawyers could have made the decision to get him out.”

“22 months for someone who has mental health issues is not unreasonable.” 

The local district attorney told KVIA the process was handled appropriately, but the issue is how Slevin was treated during that process. KOB examines that treatment -- citing letters written by Slevin himself during the time. 

“At one point he writes he doesn’t know how much longer he can go on.”

The station spoke with Slevin’s lawyer, who says the only care he got for his depression was from a nurse practitioner who had a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“Coyte says if Slevin did get a response from the letters, it was generally to up a dose of sedatives.”