Md. Attorney General’s Office says it needs more time to review and gather evidence.
Baltimore, Md (KM) The names of the man who died in Hagerstown Police custody last weekend and the officers involved in the incident are being withheld for the time being. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office Independent Investigations Division says it needs additional time to review and gather evidence. But it says the names of the deceased man and the officers involved will be released at the same time. The names would normally be made public within two business days after the incident.
On Saturday night, October 26th, Hagerstown Police say officers responded to the 100 block of East Washington Street to execute a search warrant at a home in the area. They found a man outside of the house, and took him into custody. He was placed in handcuffs and put into the backseat of a police car. While in the car, the man started to vomit and had trouble breathing.; and he became unresponsive. Officers immediately rendered medical aid. The man was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The officers had body worn cameras and dashboard cameras.
Hagerstown Police say they are cooperating with this investigation. They say they helped IID investigators review body cam video footage on Tuesday.
Under Maryland law, the State Attorney General’s Office’s Independent Investigations Division handles any investigation of the deaths of individuals in police custody.
By Kevin McManus