'Soronen asked Avera if she knew it was against the law to cross the state line to buy Sudafed. “No, sir, I did not know,” the startled woman replied. “I need you to step out of the car,” Soronen demanded.

“For what? I swear I didn’t know. What did I do?” Avera asked in alarm. “You came to Demopolis to buy some Sudafed,” came the curt response. “Step to the back of the truck.”

Before the sun set on July 29, 2010, Diane Avera was in the Marengo County Jail, where she would remain for forty days. At one point she was shackled to a restraint chair for 17 hours. During that time she was denied water or access to a bathroom. She also developed edema in her feet. Edema-related blood clots have been identified as the cause of death for several of the inmates who have perished while chained to the “Devil’s Chair.”'

Read more: The Predators of Marengo County