A Wood County jail inmate in need of apparently serious medical attention was released on a personal recognizance bond last week.

“We found out through his defense attorney that Mr. Dial (David) had been in a segregated cell for several months and he has been very ill,” said Assistant District Attorney Brandon Baade. “He was actually in the segregated facility for 231 days. It was brought to our attention originally by a citizen who was concerned and brought it to (District Attorney) Angela (Albers).”

Dial is charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams and using or exhibiting a deadly weapon.

“Mr. Dial, while charged with a serious offense, suffers from health issues that necessitate this unique action on our part,” Albers said.

“We really relied on his defense attorney who is an officer of the court who let us know the seriousness of the situation. He still has to face the criminal charges of his offense,” she said.

Dial’s defense attorney is Tom Burton.

“While the Wood County criminal district attorney’s office is committed to bringing to justice anyone who commits a criminal offense in Wood County, it is also our duty to assist in ensuring the safety and well being of those being held in custody,” Albers said. “In that regard, justice includes the safety of inmates while housed in the Wood County jail and prompt and proper medical treatment as needed. In this singular instance, it was apparent that a bond for Mr. Dial to accomplish those purposes served the best interest of Mr. Dial’s health and the best interest of justice.”

According to Baade, “The segregated units are used to keep inmates away from the general population in the facility. He is seriously ill. The jail personnel makes sure prisoners get the medical attention they need. A condition of his bond is to wear an ankle monitor and he has to go in and test for drugs. He can’t just go out there and run around. The only place he can go is to the hospital or to his doctor. Dial will be living with a relative. He is locked down in his house. It was a drug offense, a non-violent crime.”

Dial, 71, is reportedly suffering from a stoma infection due to complications from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.