If he has zero complicity, then fine. The inmate might have even deserved death. But not by thirst. A position of power carries responsibility even with those down the chain of command.
“The inmate might have even deserved death.”
No.
Even if the man were a felon duly convicted and on death row awaiting execution, it would be murder to dehydrate him to death.
But he was not under a capital sentence.
I have to think responsibility starts with the parties who turned off the water, but may go all the way to the top. When you’re at the top of a chain of command, you were either responsible, or irresponsible.