Custody Deaths & Abuse

4WardEver UK

Eric Garner : What happened to our anger over police violence?

Eric Garner
Eric Garner

source: The Week
published: 18 May 2019

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” the legal maxim holds, but what about justice dragged out and administered piecemeal, bureaucratized and monetized and extended well past the public’s capacity to maintain its righteous anger? What about justice delayed so long that it is no longer demanded?

This summer will mark five years since Eric Garner died after a New York City police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, put him in a chokehold while attempting to arrest him for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. The strangling move was prohibited under NYPD rules. Garner was unarmed and begging for his life with a plea, “I can’t breathe!” that would become a rallying cry for the nascent Black Lives Matter movement.

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4WardEver UK

Family of Sheku Bayoh to lodge complaint and demand for inquiry

Justice 4 Sheku Bayoh @ UFFC Rally London 2018
Justice 4 Sheku Bayoh @ UFFC London 2018

source: CommonSpace
published: 3 May 2019

“We know racism played a big part in our brother’s death and has played a role in denying us justice,” said the sister of Bayoh, on the fourth anniversary of his death in police custody.

  • Sheku Bayoh died while being restrained by police using batons, CS gas, pepper spray and restraints on his legs and arms
  • Family first demanded a public inquiry in 2018 after the Lord Advocate decided not to prosecute any of the officers involved
  • Both the family of Bayoh and their lawyer Aamer Anwar have argued that racism was a factor in Bayoh’s death, and that dishonest attempts have subsequently been made by police sources to smear his reputation

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4WardEver UK

Force ‘failed to properly risk assess belt used on man’s face in custody’

Thomas Orchard
Thomas Orchard

source: Shropshire Star
published: 15 April 2019

Devon and Cornwall Police failed to properly assess a restraint belt later placed across the face of a man before he collapsed in custody, a court heard. Thomas Orchard, 32, died in hospital seven days after being arrested and taken to Heavitree Road police station in Exeter, Devon, in October 2012.

During his detention Mr Orchard, who had paranoid schizophrenia, was restrained and an emergency response belt (ERB) was placed across his face.

The restraints were removed and the church caretaker was left in a locked cell, where he lay apparently motionless for 12 minutes before custody staff re-entered and started CPR.

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