He said on Twitter that police beat him up once, and then a second time after following him home. I hope there is a real investigation, this is enraging.
In the UK, which is a common law country, the local coroner would be involved with any death that was not expected (i.e. not an older person or someone who is terminally ill and under medical care) or in which there are suspicious circumstances. That process may involve a police investigation and, independently of that, there can be an inquest. Inquests have quite a history in the case of deaths in police custody in the UK, as a result of police action, or where there is some doubt about the probity of the police investigation (Google Hillsborough Stadium, Mark Duggan, Ian Tomlinson).
I'd appreciate if any US residents can comment on the procedures locally and I realise that procedure may vary in different states.
My first thought was 'another cancer death' but it appears to be more involved. The phrasing of the request from the family suggests to me that the situation may be more complex. I was reading this guy's blog just yesterday, odd times.
A suicide or homicide will almost certainly trigger a post-mortem. In the US the quality of the process varies widely by state. Some states have medical examiners, who are appointed and generally expert clinicians. Other states have a coroner system where the coroner is an elected position. Unsurprisingly states where the latter is true tend to have worse results.
USA doesn't have an independent coroner with legal power like that. Police and District Attorney (local prosecutor) investigate deaths, including investigating themselves.
In Canada too. In Ontario, any death involving police automatically triggers an investigation by a police of police (Special Investigations Unit). Really shocking cases can lead to a public inquiry in parliament.
Of course we need to investigate but don't jump to any conclusions and start yelling about police brutality.
If he had mental health problems then police can easily be perceived as they are after him and any attempt to restrain you will be seen as violence.
It is really tragic but if it likely to be police brutality then the family will pursue it. If they don't pursue any action then my guess is that Ian had a mental illness and this is just a series of very unfortunate events due to that.
I today's USA, I see no reason to assume the police story is more reliable than a potentially mentally ill citizen's story. When video evidence isn't destroyed, t tends to point to police brutality.
> "If he had mental health problems then police can easily be perceived as they are after him and any attempt to restrain you will be seen as violence."
keithpeter|10 years ago
I'd appreciate if any US residents can comment on the procedures locally and I realise that procedure may vary in different states.
My first thought was 'another cancer death' but it appears to be more involved. The phrasing of the request from the family suggests to me that the situation may be more complex. I was reading this guy's blog just yesterday, odd times.
lstyls|10 years ago
jacquesm|10 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutton_Inquiry
knughit|10 years ago
eliteraspberrie|10 years ago
cc81|10 years ago
If he had mental health problems then police can easily be perceived as they are after him and any attempt to restrain you will be seen as violence.
It is really tragic but if it likely to be police brutality then the family will pursue it. If they don't pursue any action then my guess is that Ian had a mental illness and this is just a series of very unfortunate events due to that.
knughit|10 years ago
jimrandomh|10 years ago
> "i had to have swtitches"
leaveyou|10 years ago