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Short (relatively) thread regarding death of #GeorgeFloyd
By now you've likely seen the video of the death of Mr. Floyd.
Want to walk you through some observations based on work @9WantsToKnow began last year after 2018 death of David Baker in Aurora. https://www.9news.com/article/news/dont-publish-yet-vando/73-610dc794-aa26-4e29-837b-602f4d894bc1
By now you've likely seen the video of the death of Mr. Floyd.
Want to walk you through some observations based on work @9WantsToKnow began last year after 2018 death of David Baker in Aurora. https://www.9news.com/article/news/dont-publish-yet-vando/73-610dc794-aa26-4e29-837b-602f4d894bc1
Baker died of "restraint asphyxia" according to coroner who reviewed death.
As I reported last year, "In other words, the position he was placed in – in this case on his stomach – prevented him from breathing adequately"
Prone restraint deaths are rare, but they DO happen
As I reported last year, "In other words, the position he was placed in – in this case on his stomach – prevented him from breathing adequately"
Prone restraint deaths are rare, but they DO happen
I began amassing a database of in-custody deaths of people due to restraint asphyxia.
My database now includes 52 deaths.
Why is this a problem?
Because of, in part, this report issued by DOJ in 1995.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/posasph.pdf
My database now includes 52 deaths.
Why is this a problem?
Because of, in part, this report issued by DOJ in 1995.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/posasph.pdf
In this report, the authors make one thing very clear...
When someone is handcuffed... "get him off his stomach."
When someone is handcuffed... "get him off his stomach."
Why? Because, cases show, that sometimes people do die.
Which brings us to Minnesota.
Mr. Floyd, according to documents released today, was handcuffed, while down on the ground.
AND There had been a struggle to get him into police car.
https://interactive.kare11.com/pdfs/Pages%20from%20Derek-Chauvin-Complaint_Redacted.pdf
Which brings us to Minnesota.
Mr. Floyd, according to documents released today, was handcuffed, while down on the ground.
AND There had been a struggle to get him into police car.
https://interactive.kare11.com/pdfs/Pages%20from%20Derek-Chauvin-Complaint_Redacted.pdf
This is one of the critical parts of the court documents released today:
(I have highlighted the conversation between two officers, one of whom is now facing a murder charge)
(I have highlighted the conversation between two officers, one of whom is now facing a murder charge)
I'm not going to make any conclusions on the criminal aspect of this case... You are free to make those conclusions yourself...
What I do want to point out is the position Mr. Floyd was in for a prolonged period of time after an apparent agitated state (when being placed in car)
What I do want to point out is the position Mr. Floyd was in for a prolonged period of time after an apparent agitated state (when being placed in car)
The coroner has preliminary weighed in suggesting asphyxia was NOT the cause of death here.
(My database is filled with cases where initial autopsy was successfully challenged by plaintiffs in civil cases.)
Be careful of putting too much emphasis on this early on.
(My database is filled with cases where initial autopsy was successfully challenged by plaintiffs in civil cases.)
Be careful of putting too much emphasis on this early on.
The key points I am trying to make are:
1.) at least one of the officers appeared to be concerned about keeping him prone
2.) There has been acknowledgement for DECADES that prone position is dangerous
3.) Minneapolis PD had a case in '10 that should have led to training on this
1.) at least one of the officers appeared to be concerned about keeping him prone
2.) There has been acknowledgement for DECADES that prone position is dangerous
3.) Minneapolis PD had a case in '10 that should have led to training on this
David Smith is #10 in my database.
Ten years ago, the very same police dept ended up on the wrong end of a $3,075,000 settlement. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/george-floyd/kare-11-investigates-earlier-minneapolis-police-restraint-death/89-dff25e6f-5697-491b-a5d5-661f37abb131
Ten years ago, the very same police dept ended up on the wrong end of a $3,075,000 settlement. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/george-floyd/kare-11-investigates-earlier-minneapolis-police-restraint-death/89-dff25e6f-5697-491b-a5d5-661f37abb131
David Smith's death should have served as a warning sign for a police department that the position Mr. Floyd was left in was dangerous.
But, for some reason, it didn't. That's a BIG problem.
Again, look at these paragraphs.
But, for some reason, it didn't. That's a BIG problem.
Again, look at these paragraphs.
It's one thing to have a death with no precedent..
It's another to have one not that long after you had to pay $3 million plus
Training is an issue here, folks.
Not the only issue... But an issue nonetheless.
It's another to have one not that long after you had to pay $3 million plus
Training is an issue here, folks.
Not the only issue... But an issue nonetheless.
Want to thank my friend and colleague @AJInvestigates who is doing a lot of work on this now on the ground in MN.
