It's been a while, but as I recall the story, they offered him small cups of water periodically but he refused to drink most of them, despite apparent and significant dehydration.

If that isn't a clear example of someone being a danger to himself, I can't imagine what would be. Given that he clearly was a danger to himself (and others by virtue of flooding his cell), not to mention "gravely disabled" within the meaning of the statute, he should have been in a the jail ward of a hospital...not in a jail and periodically monitored by a nurse.

There is a real opportunity here for Island and neighboring counties to make significant changes in the the way they handle and house severely emotionally disturbed and mentally ill criminal suspects.

I hope the Commissioners take advantage of this opportunity.