COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) - Fourteen Maury County inmates have sued the sheriff, claiming their living conditions violate the constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge William Haynes held a daylong hearing on the grievances and toured the jail with Sheriff Enoch George and others, including a Daily Herald reporter.

The newspaper (http://bit.ly/OV6zBv) reported Haynes had to step over puddled sewage at one point. Inmates crowded around the windows in their cell doors to display open wounds. They also pointed to bed mats that they said were covered with mold.

Neither George nor the county attorney commented on the allegations. The defense did not speak at the hearing.

Haynes suggested George and his attorney take the next 30 days to address the concerns before a second pretrial conference.

Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.columbiadailyherald.com

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