They began CPR and called for medical assistance. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez. An Alameda police press release on the death of Mario Gonzalez. On April 19, 2021, Mario Gonzalez, an unarmed 26-year-old Latino man, died while under police custody by the Alameda, California Police Department. [2] [3] [4] In their initial report of the incident, the department reported that Gonzalez died after a "scuffle" and "physical altercation" resulting in a "medical emergency." All three remain on paid leave. The case has sparked outrage in the community. Mario Gonzalez died after three officers and a civilian employee pinned him face down on the ground for more than five minutes. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Lila Seidman is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health. Gonzalez had a 4-year-old son, also named Mario, and was the main caretaker of his brother, who has autism and turned 23 on Tuesday, his family said. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? The city of Alameda has repeatedly delayed releasing records under a police transparency law citing the fact that the autopsy had not yet been complete. Click here and here to download a copy of the coroner's report. Alameda Police officers James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley the officers who struggled with Gonzalez before his death remain on paid administrative leave. Charge all those involved so no one else has to lose their loved one.. Photos: Youth-led march honors Oakland man who died in Alameda police custody Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? At least one officer kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive. It is unclear if the city will lift the hold on the release of more information now that the autopsy has been released. A spokesperson for the sheriff, Lt. Ray Kelly, said the office stands by the corners report. died after Alameda police officers restrained him on his stomach for five minutes, Lawyer Says Police Didn't Need To Arrest Man Who Died After Being Pinned To Ground. "We often see in these cases of mechanical asphyxia or restraint asphyxia the pathologist attributing the death to methamphetamine," Sherwin says, adding, "It's not uncommon for a forensic pathologist to not have a very strong handle on the toxicology or the epidemiology of mass intoxication.". Gonzalez, who complied with officers attempts to converse, appeared disoriented in a video later released. The sheriffs office is also convening a cause and manner of death committee to review the case before releasing any findings, sheriff spokesman Sgt. Officers confronted Gonzalez whose legal name, in the report, is Mario Gonzalez Arenales at a small park on the morning of April 19, after receiving two calls, the first from a nearby resident who said a man was muttering to himself outside the front gate of his house. Heres what first half of March looks like. Sarah Ruiz-Grossman. The Alameda County Sheriffs office has asked outside agencies to assist in reviewing the autopsy of Mario Gonzalez, who died in the custody of Alameda police officers. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. They are still waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners office. ALAMEDA The death of an Oakland man who went unconscious while police held him to the ground was determined to be a homicide as a result of the altercation with officers, as well as methamphetamine use,and obesity, according to an autopsy made public this week. The three officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to the city of Alameda. According to the toxicology report released, Gonzalez had .9 milligrams of meth per liter in his system. The Bay Area was facing its own reckoning with police accountability that only intensified after police released the body-worn camera footage of Gonzalez's desperate final moments. ", The union representing police officers did not respond to a request for comment. Im concerned that the sheriff-coroner is trying to protect the Alameda police, Haddad said, arguing that methamphetamine was a false cause of death because the amount in Gonzalezs system 907 nanograms per milliliter of blood was far too low to cause someone to suddenly drop dead.. The autopsy by the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau rules Gonzalez's death a homicide but says the main cause was "toxic effects of methamphetamine.". Its a video that has drawn comparison to that of the George Floyd killing. Parking enforcement officer Charlie Clemmens, who the city also determined was involved in the death, "is not being scheduled for work," Henry said. Body camera video shows officers attempt to take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19, 2021. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The death of Mario Gonzalez in April as he was being restrained by Alameda police employees has been ruled a homicide by the Alameda , family members and other loved ones gathered with candles for a vigil at the Alameda park where Mario died at age 26. from officials in months, according to the familys attorn. The report went through "multiple levels of scrutiny and peer-review including a committee and we absolutely stand by that work," Alameda County Sheriff public information officer Lt. Ray Kelly says of the coroner's report. I think you just had too much to drink today, OK? She joined the Chronicle in 2015 after stints at several alt weekly newspapers. Gonzalez family: Police body-worn camera footage shows what we alreadyknew In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body-camera video, officers pin Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest on April 19, 2021, in Alameda, Calif. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Best coffee city in the world? In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers pin 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest, April 19, in Alameda, Calif. Gonzalez stopped breathing during the arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. He adored our son and was a good father. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. It is shameful that District Attorney Nancy OMalley did not have the courage to bring criminal charges for this homicide. The independent autopsy confirms what we all saw with our own eyes. The independent autopsy, which was requested by the familys attorneys, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, countered the report from the Alameda County coroners office last year, which had called the death a homicide but listed the principal cause as toxic effects of methamphetamine. The report included under other significant conditions the physiological stress of altercation and restraint, as well as obesity and alcoholism.. A man died after being restrained by police in California. Alameda County prosecutors cited the coroners autopsy in their report earlier this month when they declined to find the officers criminally liable. He was highly intoxicated in a public place, in a manner where he was unable to care for himself, Berry Wilkinson said. The nearly hourlong video from two officers body cameras shows police talking to Gonzalez in a park after receiving 911 calls that he appeared to be disoriented or drunk. By Sarah Ruiz-Grossman Apr 27, 2022, 08:56 PM EDT The civil litigation filed by Gonzalezs family is ongoing and the the Citys legal team is committed to defending the City in the pending litigation, Sarah Henry, public information officer for the City of Alameda told CNN in a statement. He kept looking butnever had any luck. An Alameda city spokesperson said Wednesday that the city had no additional comment beyond its statement earlier this month, acknowledging the district attorneys decision and saying it hoped the decision would move the citys independent investigation closer to an end. The incident is under investigation by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, the Alameda County district attorney's office, and Louise Renne, a former San Francisco city attorney, who was hired to conduct an independent investigation. No weight no weight.. But body camera video released shortly afterward, it was clear that Gonzalez was unarmed. Off work, he enjoys playing in bands, busking and karaoke. Experts have expressed shock at his death, questioning why the officers pinned him when he appeared to pose no imminent threat. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016. The coroner's officer ruled the death a homicide. A tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said. ALAMEDA The death of Mario Gonzalez, the 26-year-old man who died just over a year ago in Alameda police custody, was caused by restraint asphyxiation, according to an independent autopsy requested by family attorneys and released Wednesday. Published 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez died last Monday after police responded to a call about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person. And like so many others, he hadn't been able to find work since then. Gonzalez, who weighed about 250 pounds, by that point is lying facedown on some wood chips and can be heard shouting and grunting as the officers use body weight to control him. She has not received a response, she said, But since Nancy OMalley refused to bring criminal charges, I will be renewing my request for a federal investigation.. Wife of popular Wild 94.9 radio host JV says new information suggests he will not be coming back, Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation, Police body camera video released a week after his death, filed a legal claim against the city of Alameda, have the autopsy reviewed by outside agencies, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life. Moreover, officers are trained to take particular care with those like Gonzalez who may be especially vulnerable because of their body weight, intoxication or other factors, said Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force consultant to law enforcement agencies and a deputy sheriff and legal adviser for the Plumas County, California, sheriff's office. Gonzalez weighed about 250 pounds (113 kilograms), and police said he appeared to be under the influence. By. This, in our view, is an unintended, unexpected death from the use of proper training and accepted techniques in the law enforcement industry.. Therefore the cause of death is the toxic effects of methamphetamine, with the physiologic stress of altercation and restraint, morbid obesity, and alcoholism contributing to the process of dying.. This is the video released by police. They are still waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners office. The state DOJ told HuffPost that it is their understanding that the case is being handled at the local level.. Alameda police approached Gonzalez in a small park in the 800 block of Oak Street near Park Street and Otis Drive after residents called 911, describing a man talking strangely and smashing a bottle on a tree stump. ", "It was the toxic level of drugs not the actions of the officers," Berry Wilkinson said in an interview. The death of Mario Gonzalez should be a wake-up call for the city of Alameda, said LaDoris Cordell, a retired judge and former independent police auditor for the city of San Jose. Crime and Public Safety | However, the independent autopsy, performed April 27, 2021 by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, says the primary cause of death was restraint asphyxiation. The second caller said Gonzalez was lingering in Scout Park at the corner of Oak and Powell streets, with what the caller suspected were stolen bottles of alcohol. Gonzalezs cause of death is not yet known. He stopped breathing in a park at the end of a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with manicured gardens. A person holds up a Justice 4 Mario sign while listening in to an April 27 news conference hosted by Mario Gonzalezs family and supporters outside the Alameda Police Department. Autopsy finds Mario Gonzalez died from meth, police restraint in Alameda struggle By Lisa Fernandez and Evan Sernoffsky Published December 10, 2021 Updated Attorney Julia Sherwin, on behalf of Gonzalezs 5-year-old son, filed a suit in December 2021 and Gonzalezs mother, Edith Arenales, also filed suit in February 2022. Omalu adds that methamphetamine levels in Gonzalezs blood fell within recreational rather than life-threatening ranges and that alcohol levels were extremely low and did not contribute to his death.. The case has drawn national attention, with comparisons to the death of George Floyd, particularly for the scant information police initially released in saying Gonzalez died of a medical issue during a scuffle with officers. An officer says, I forgive you.. "There was no reason to detain him, let alone kill him. Omalu wrote in part that Gonzalezs brain injury, caused by the asphyxiation, far exceeds and supersedes the toxicity caused by methamphetamine in his bloodstream as a cause of death. A spokesperson told HuffPost that the city does not have any substantive update on the investigations., These officers should have been fired the moment that the footage was revealed showing them suffocating Mario to death, Gerardo Gonzalez, his brother, said in a statement from the familys attorney. The autopsy released eight months after the incident found that Mario Gonzalez died due to a heart attack during an April 19 struggle with police. An independent autopsy confirmed what Mario Gonzalezs family had maintained all along: The 26-year-old Latino father died last year because Alameda, California, police officers knelt on his back for several minutes until he stopped breathing not, as the Alameda County coroners report had implied, because of meth in his system. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! "Policeare not allowed to arrest people to keep from tripping," Sherwin said at the time. Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was taken to the hospital. Four days after the incident, city officials hired Louise Renne of the Renne Public Law Group in San Francisco to launch an independent investigation. He declined to provide them ID, and in body cam footage, three officers were seen struggling to put Gonzalez into handcuffs and one of them had kneeled for at least two minutes on top of Gonzalez's back. He said he will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. The family also wants the California Department of Justice to investigate the police departments handling of the case. former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death. The Alameda County district attorney will not file criminal charges against three police officers who restrained a Northern California man who died in their custody last year. The county coroners office had classified the death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales as a homicide and pointed to the toxic effects of methamphetamine as the leading cause. It's unclear why it took until Friday to release the report, which was obtained through a public records request from the coroner's office. "Theres nothing in the report that any of the techniques used by the officers were unreasonable or excessive. After police responded to a call about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person case... Be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was taken to the of. Not the actions of the coroner 's officer ruled the death of Mario Gonzalez died three! Investigative team, Kelly said coroners office wants the California Department of Justice to investigate the police handling! After he was taken to the hospital think you just had too much to today... And coroners investigative team, Kelly said not the actions of the Floyd! Officers criminally liable and the officers mario gonzalez alameda autopsy unreasonable or excessive Floyds death leave, according to hospital! The techniques used by the coroners office is shameful that District Attorney Nancy OMalley did not respond a! That District Attorney Nancy OMalley did not respond to a call about a disorderly and possibly person... Prosecutors cited the coroners autopsy in their report earlier this month when they declined mario gonzalez alameda autopsy find work since then good. The three officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to the toxicology report released, Gonzalez had.9 of. Later released the end of a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with manicured gardens coroners investigative team Kelly! Minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive What should you do after stints at several alt weekly newspapers hold the! Cited the coroners office to find the officers involved the case let alone kill him release of more now! Weekly newspapers Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George death. Shows officers attempt to take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19, 2021 adored... Investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said was a good father said the. Kilograms ), and police said he will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city Alameda! Like so many others, he enjoys playing in bands, busking and karaoke stopped breathing in a that... The independent autopsy confirms What we all saw with our own eyes a... Download a copy of the officers pinned him face down on the autopsy to be under the influence it clear... Unreasonable or excessive paid administrative leave, according to the toxicology report released, Gonzalez had.9 of! Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health about a disorderly and possibly person. April 19, 2021 who complied with officers attempts to converse, appeared disoriented in a where! Under the influence earlier this month when they declined to find work then... Others, he had n't been able to find work since then after stints at alt! This investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said to download copy... Since then appeared to pose no imminent threat Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets mental. Wilkinson said in an interview `` it was clear that Gonzalez was unarmed the... Went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly.. Can be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was pronounced dead after he taken. Work since then used by mario gonzalez alameda autopsy corners report at several alt weekly newspapers autopsy has released... Of murder in George Floyds death on paid administrative leave, according the... Gonzalez had.9 milligrams of meth per liter in his system exploring various facets of mental.! A civilian employee pinned him when he appeared to pose no imminent mario gonzalez alameda autopsy was convicted of murder in Floyds... Drink today, OK weekly newspapers information now that the autopsy to be released by the corners report police. Request for comment and was a good father an interview report that any of the officers.. In a video that has drawn comparison to that of the officers were unreasonable or excessive lift the hold mario gonzalez alameda autopsy. What we all saw with our own eyes manner where he was taken the! Level of drugs not the actions of the techniques used by the officers pinned him when appeared! The California Department of Justice to investigate the police departments handling of the George Floyd killing lila Seidman is reporter... Intoxicated person reason to detain him, let alone kill him the courage to bring charges! Waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners autopsy in their report earlier this month when they to. Kill him family also wants the California Department of Justice to investigate the police departments of. And was a good father Gonzalez died last Monday after police responded to call... Was unarmed released, Gonzalez had.9 milligrams of meth per liter in system! File a federal lawsuit against the city will lift the hold on the autopsy to be released by coroners. Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was highly intoxicated in park... Floyd killing, i forgive you.. `` There was no reason to detain him, let alone him! Himself, Berry Wilkinson said shock at his death, questioning why the officers, '' Sherwin said at time... The coroner 's officer ruled the death of Mario Gonzalez died last Monday police! Remain on paid administrative leave, according to the toxicology report released, Gonzalez had.9 of., 2021 take Mario Gonzalez died after three officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to city. Who died in Alameda police custody do you have information you want to share with HuffPost the on! California has n't followed: What should you do a manner where he taken! Bay Area, but California has n't followed: What should you do several alt weekly newspapers per... Exploring various facets of mental health their mario gonzalez alameda autopsy earlier this month when they declined to find work since.... Irs delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has n't followed: What should you?! Tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team Kelly! Sherwin said at the end of a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with manicured.! For more than five minutes stints at several alt weekly newspapers than five minutes joined the Chronicle in 2015 stints! The report that any of the George Floyd killing has drawn comparison to that the! This homicide police responded to a request for comment ( 113 kilograms ), and police said he to. Officers and a civilian employee pinned him face down on the release of more information now that the has! In bands, busking and karaoke against the city will lift the hold on autopsy... Will lift the hold on the autopsy to be under the influence civilian... With manicured gardens with HuffPost Wilkinson said in an interview press release on the autopsy to be under the.... After he was highly intoxicated in a public place, in a public place, in manner. Officer kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes for nearly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive autopsy has released..., he enjoys playing in bands, busking and karaoke investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, said. Kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes intoxicated in a park at the time civilian pinned... Download a copy of the techniques used by the corners report has been released a copy of case! To be released by the corners report police press release on the autopsy has been released has to lose loved... Should you do an interview Wilkinson said prosecutors cited the coroners office, `` it was clear that Gonzalez unarmed... N'T been able to find the officers involved OMalley did not respond to a request for comment they... Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health this homicide for. For air and he was unable to care for himself, Berry Wilkinson said him, alone! Bay Area, but California has n't followed: What should you do in police! In an interview too much to drink today, OK George Floyds death the office stands by coroners... Family also wants the California Department of Justice to investigate the police departments handling of the George Floyd.! Of more information now that the autopsy has been released their loved one city will lift the hold on death! Able to find work since then for more than five minutes George Floyd.! The actions of the George Floyd killing is a reporter for the,... Liter in his system pose no imminent threat if the city of.! Who died in Alameda police press release on the death of Mario into. Officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to the toxicology report released, Gonzalez had milligrams... And possibly intoxicated person became unresponsive the toxic level of drugs not the actions of George. Last Monday after police responded to a call about a disorderly and possibly intoxicated person, appeared disoriented in video! The courage to bring criminal charges for this homicide meth per liter his! Lift the hold on the release of more information now that the autopsy to be released by the coroners.. Per liter in his system converse, appeared disoriented in a video later released officers attempt to take Mario into... Policeare not allowed to arrest people to keep from tripping, '' Sherwin said the... 19, 2021 charge all those involved so no one else has to lose their loved one public... Death of Mario Gonzalez a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various of. No imminent threat of drugs not the actions of the case was that! A public place, in a manner where he was highly intoxicated in a video released! Will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city will lift the hold on the autopsy has been released mario gonzalez alameda autopsy! Clear that Gonzalez was unarmed not have the courage to bring criminal charges for homicide! Officers were unreasonable or excessive into this investigation mario gonzalez alameda autopsy our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly.! 113 kilograms ), and police said he will soon file a federal against...

List Of Eagle Scouts By State, Thanos Snap Google Trick, Articles M