Custody Deaths & Abuse

4WardEverUK

Police officer who killed Oscar Grant free, some protesters still face jail

originally by: Truthout
19th June 2011

Johannes Mehserle, the former BART police officer who shot and killed Oscar Grant while he was lying face down on the Fruitvale station train platform on New Year’s Day 2009, was released from a Los Angeles jail June 13 after serving a total of 365 days for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. He was sentenced to two years behind bars, but Judge Robert Perry granted him an early release due to credit for time served and good behavior.

The same date of his release, the National Lawyers Guild filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 150 protesters who were mass-arrested during the Nov. 5, 2010 demonstration in Oakland in the wake of Mehersle’s sentencing.

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4WardEverUK

‘Staff failed’ in Newport police cell death says IPCC

originally by: BBC News
25th May 2011

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the death of a “vulnerable” man in a police cell has found “staff failed” to protect him. Andrew David Sheppard, 22, was found dead at Newport Central police station on 30 September 2006.

An inquest into Mr Sheppard’s death also revealed “gross failings” in the system. Gwent Police has since implemented all eight recommendations made by the IPCC.

Mr Sheppard was detained by police under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 after “behaving irrationally” on 30 September 2006. His family had been in contact with police and health professionals on several occasions, that day, to seek advice.

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4WardEverUK

Police neglected cell death man, says jury

originally by: BBC News
18th May 2011

Failures by custody staff at Bath police station contributed directly to the death of a man found drunk in the street, an inquest has found. Mark Graeme Read, 39, who was taken into custody for his own safety, choked to death on his own vomit. The jury at Flax Bourton Coroner’s Court returned a verdict of accidental death contributed to by neglect. Avon and Somerset Police said it had now implemented recommendations for improving its custody practice.

Mr Read, from Frome, in Somerset, had been out celebrating the birth of his seven-week-old daughter when he was arrested for being drunk in 2008.

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