Posted on 05/20/2009 6:30:42 AM PDT by BnBlFlag
Autopsy of man who died in police custody shows high levels of PCP in system By AMY MOORE May, 19, 2009
An autopsy released Tuesday found that a man who died after being Tasered by Lumberton police last month had potentially lethal levels of PCP in his system.
Kevin Jabreel LaDay's April 30 death drew outrage and protests from the African-American community and spurred investigations by the Texas Rangers and FBI.
The autopsy report, completed by Jefferson County forensic pathologist Dr. Tommy Brown, says LaDay had a PCP level of 280 nanograms per milliliter in his blood. The report cited case studies that show a concentration between 100 and 200 caused deaths in two men who were arrested and placed in physical restraints by police.
The toxicology report completed by NMS Labs in Willow Grove, Pa., which is attached to the autopsy paperwork, says PCP-related deaths have been reported at levels between 300 and 25,000 nanograms per milliliter.
"PCP is capable of causing: sedation, nystagmus, hypertension, ataxia, agitation, combativeness, seizures, spasticity, coma and respiratory depression," the autopsy report reads.
The autopsy also determined that LaDay had the beginning stages of heart disease, according to Justice of the Peace Vi McGinnis, who ordered the tests.
Brown's report stated that it is unknown how LaDay's health issues played a role in his death.
"It is unknown how much, or if, the struggle with police, which would increase the heart rate and respirations; the minimally enlarged heart; the moderate coronary heart disease; or being Tasered contributed to the death of the individual," Brown's report states.
LaDay's mother, said the results of the autopsy change nothing and will have no effect on her fight against "racism" in Lumberton. She said she will continue to fight for the truth.
"It doesn't matter what there was in his body, it didn't cause his death," Sandra LaDay told The Enterprise by phone Tuesday. "He was beaten and Tased."
Kevin LaDay, 35, was pronounced dead at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital on April 30 after losing consciousness while in police custody in Lumberton. He had wrecked his car on Pine Burr Loop about 3:30 a.m. while on his way to visit his girlfriend in Lumberton.
Police officers from the city responded to the scene and found LaDay in a nearby credit union parking lot. According to police, LaDay ran from the officers and when he was caught, a struggle ensued and he was Tasered. He then was handcuffed and lost consciousness, police said.
Police reports from that night are not being released because of the continuing investigation by the Texas Rangers and the FBI.
Sandra LaDay maintains that prejudice in Lumberton led to her son's death.
"Lumberton had a name way before my son got in this accident. The older people know about Lumberton from years ago," she said.
Sandra LaDay said she took pictures of her son's dead body when he was in the emergency room and the photos show bruises that prove he was beaten.
The autopsy report says LaDay had two lacerations less than an inch in length near his right eyebrow and an abrasion at the crease of his neck and chin that also was less than an inch.
"The neck was otherwise symmetrical and without scars or other trauma," the report states.
Along his chest and lower right abdomen, LaDay had "several small abrasions," but only one longer than an inch, according to the autopsy report.
LaDay also had abrasions to his knees.
McGinnis said the injuries are considered "superficial wounds" that could have come from the car wreck or LaDay falling down.
"It's nothing to indicate a blow or blunt-force trauma," she said, although she also said she is not a medical expert.
Since the incident, Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins has maintained that LaDay was not beaten. With the release of the autopsy report, Sullins said the department is relieved.
"I believe it is good news, but I don't want to sound elated because someone has died," he said by phone Tuesday.
In the aftermath of LaDay's death, Quannel X and the New Black Panthers organized a protest rally in Lumberton. They alleged that police beat LaDay to death.
Although a large group of supporters for the LaDay family and the New Black Panthers showed up at the protest, a large group of supporters for the police department also were present. Sullins said the support from the community has held the department together recently.
"That has sustained us while we waited on this report," he said. "It was not just Lumberton, but all of Southeast Texas in letters and phone calls (of support)."
Voicemail messages left on Quannel X's cell phone during the day Tuesday were not returned.
Sandra LaDay said she heard that another public speech by Quannel X is scheduled, but she was unsure when or where.
She said she will continue to spread the news of what she believes to be the truth about her son's death.
"I'm still going nationwide no matter what the outcome of the last report was. I got a lot of talk shows to do. I'm doing three live radio stations next week," she said.
One of the radio shows is in Dallas, she said, and she was unsure where the other two were.
Sandra LaDay said she's hired famed Rodney King attorney Milton Grimes to look into her son's death, but calls to confirm that through Grimes's California office were not returned Tuesday evening.
She also said the family paid to have a second, private autopsy done. Those results are not in.
The LaDay family had a memorial service last week and will have a burial service this weekend, she said.      
::::sarc tag in case it is needed::::
Where is the obligatory “aspiring rapper” quote?
I'm sure Orca's people are already in contact. Along with Dr. Phil's, Jerry Springer's, etc...
I would be surprised if he even felt the tazer.
this is not new
“This is not new”.
Err, the autopsy report was issued yesterday.
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