TWIN FALLS -- With burning candles in their hands and memories of loved ones in their minds, about 20 people gathered outside the Twin Falls County jail Thursday night to remember two men who died this year while in jail custody.

The friends and families of David Lee Homolka and Michael Albert Winkler were joined by feelings of loss, and the belief that the men died because of poor medical treatment in the jail.

The purpose of the peaceful demonstration was to remember the men and show the community what has been a longtime problem. Demonstrators say court employees do not act quickly enough when inmates ask for medical help.

"There's a lot of things that need to be changed in the system, and we're trying to bring attention to some of those things," organizer Kathy Tadlock said.

Twin Falls County Sheriff Wayne Tousley Thursday evening had no comment on the vigil and stood by earlier comments that jail inmates are given proper medical care.

People at the candlelight vigil carried hand-printed signs that read "2 deaths in 5 months is not acceptable" and "Healthcare -- Shouldn't it be a basic human right?"

Dawna Kirkpatrick, a close friend of Winkler's, said Winkler never had heart problems, yet Tousley said the 49-year-old man apparently died of heart problems late last month.

"If we don't stop this stuff from going on from the people supposed to protect and serve us, who can we trust?" said Kirkpatrick, who is considering filing a tort claim against the county.

A tort claim is the first step toward a civil lawsuit. Once a claim is filed, the county has 90 days to respond, and if that time runs out, the claiming party can file a lawsuit.

Rudy and Carolyn Homolka have filed a tort claim against the county, saying their son died because of medical neglect. They plan to file a suit when the time period expires, but they have to find a lawyer first because the one they had dropped the case.

They believe no one should have died like their son -- who lost 80 pounds in a month and was in constant pain -- and they want those responsible to pay.

"Regardless of what these people have done, none of them deserved the death penalty," said Rita Homolka, David Homolka's sister-in-law, "and that's what they got."