2 October 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Angola death row inmate who gave false confession released after 15 years

originally by: nola.com
published: 28 September 2012

A Marrero man who spent 15 years on Louisiana’s death row for his wrongful conviction of raping and strangling to death 14-year-old Crystal Champagne under the Huey P. Long Bridge in 1996 walked out of the Angola prison a free man Friday.

Damon Thibodeaux, 38, was cleared, attorneys announced, confirming what he has said since his arrest on July 20, 1996: He caved after nine hours of interrogation by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives and confessed to a crime he did not commit.

17 August 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Billy Salton death after court transfer investigated

originally by: BBC News
published: 15 August 2012

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will investigate how a man died after being transferred from a police station to a court. Billy Salton died on 9 July, three days after collapsing at Stockport Magistrates Court, Greater Manchester.

The 19-year-old had received treatment from medical staff at Cheadle Heath police station before being moved. The IPCC’s Naseem Malik said the investigation would “strive to provide answers about what happened”.

Mr Salton handed himself into the police station voluntarily following a breach of bail conditions at about 01:00 BST on 5 July. He was also arrested on suspicion of burglary.

11 July 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

INQUEST response to IPCC contact deaths statistics

originally by: INQUEST
published: 9 July 2012

INQUEST response to IPCC statistics on deaths during or following police contact 2011/12

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has published its statistics for deaths during or following contact with the police occurring between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012.

In response, Deborah Coles, co-director of INQUEST said:

“The figures reveal a disturbing number of people who despite being clearly vulnerable or in distress have been taken into police custody rather than to a hospital or specialist mental health unit. This reflects INQUEST’s ongoing concerns about the way people with mental health issues are dealt with by the police, many of which are being scrutinised currently at the inquest into the death of Sean Rigg.