That autopsy was commissioned by civil rights law firm Haddad and Sherwin on behalf of Gonzalezs son Mario Gonzalez-Cortez and family members in a civil suit against the city, the officers and the police departments former chief. Police said Gonzalez died later at the hospital, but the video shows Gonzalez stopped breathing on site and one officer declaring no pulse as officers began CPR. During the encounter, Gonzalez remained in a prone position with pressure applied to his posterior torso and legs, the report said. His family said he was also the main caregiver for his autistic brother, Efrain. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Again, my heart goes out to Mr. Gonzalez and his family.". But he urged people to wait for the results of a full investigation. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. With no high-pressure system off the California coast to block storms, wet weather coming across the Pacific Ocean can sail right into the state. CNN The family of Mario Gonzalez Arenales, a Northern California man who died after he was restrained by police officers in April, has filed a wrongful death claim "Once they're controlling him, as we learned from the Floyd trial with all those medical experts, this position or compression is deadly," said Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology at the University of South Carolina and an expert on police use of force. Gonzalez family: Police body-worn camera footage shows what we alreadyknew The officers, as they seek to restrain him, repeatedly ask Gonzalez for his full name and birth date. Alison Berry Wilkinson, an attorney representing the officers, told KTVU in Oakland that they "used the lowest degree of force possible given the intensity of Mr. Gonzalez's efforts to evade their grasp.". Hes lifting my whole body weight up, an officer tells his colleague. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost? This, in our view, is an unintended, unexpected death from the use of proper training and accepted techniques in the law enforcement industry.. Hes a lovely guy. He was anxious and was prescribed medications to help. He said he will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. The death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales, a 26-year-old man whose fatal encounter with Alameda police in April became a flash point in a national debate, resulted from the toxic effects of methamphetamine, combined with the physiological stress of restraint by officers and other underlying conditions, according to the Alameda County coroner. A Warner Bros. An altercation occurred, an officer was seen pinning a man for at least four minutes, and soon Mario Gonzalez was dead. Mario Gonzalezs family is still grieving without answers more than six months after the young Latino father died when police in Alameda, California, kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes. / CBS/AP. Gonzalez died hours before the case against former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin went to the jury. He fought the officers, and they used reasonable techniques. And like so many others, he hadn't been able to find work since then. Attorneys for the family of Mario Gonzalez, a Latino man who died after an Alameda officer put a knee on his back and neck for more than four minutes, are asking the During last year's COVID shutdown, Gonzalez lost his job cooking inanItalian restaurant that went out of business during the shutdown. ", Alameda police officers try to revive Mario Gonzalez of Oakland after police restrained him, prone on the ground. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", minor confrontation with police led to his death, Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter. Colorado cop shot and killed unarmed man at point-blank range after struggle outside middle school, video shows Related Articles He began to eat more and gain weight. Alameda police Officer Erick McKinley was among several officers who responded on April 19, 2021 in the citys Scout Park after a resident called police to claim Gonzalezs presence was scaring his wife. In a statement Friday, Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi called the death a "tragedy" and said his office will complete a "thorough investigation.". "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 wont produce any identification, so the officers try to force his hands behind his back to handcuff him, but he does not let his arms go limp. The officers approach to Mr Gonzalez detention and arrest and their use of force appeared reasonable under the circumstances, the report says. Crime and Public Safety | In April, police called the incident a scuffle followed by a medical emergency. But body camera footage released after an outcry from Gonzalezs family showed officers approaching Gonzalez, alone in a park with some bottles of alcohol, and Gonzalez calmly speaking with officers for nearly nine minutes. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Body camera video shows officers attempt to take Mario Gonzalez into custody on April 19, 2021. And while the city had vowed transparency in the months after Gonzalez died, the latest update this week stated: "withholding potentially responsive material at this time remains necessary to avoid substantially interfering with the multiple investigations into the incident. HuffPost's top politics stories, straight to your inbox. David DeBolt spent more than a decade reporting on the East Bay, with a focus on Oakland City Hall and the Oakland Police Department, for the Bay Area News Group and The Oaklandside before transitioning to become an editor at the Bay Area News Group overseeing breaking news for The Mercury News and East Bay Times in August 2022. He worried if he or his mother died who would take care of his brother Efrain, 23, who suffers from severe autism and is nonverbal. The initialpress releasefrom the Alameda Police said that officers attempted to detain Gonzalez, and a "physical altercation ensued." He added that he's "committed to full transparency and accountability into the tragic death of Mr. Gonzalez, and as soon as more information is available, we will continue to share it. "There was never a point in time where any officer's knee was on Mr. Gonzalez's neck. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! I know they are already suffering the severe trauma of losing a loved one, Joshi said. The officers remain on paid administrative leave until all investigations are complete, according to the City of Alameda, which is handling its own independent investigation of the death. Walking around with that level of meth, he wouldnt have dropped dead at that moment but for the force by police, Haddad said. 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Based on the totality of available information, including investigative, autopsy, and laboratory findings, it is apparent that Mr. Gonzalez Arenales experienced cardiopulmonary arrest because of multiple factors, the report 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. Then officers can be seen putting Gonzalezs hands behind his back and pinning him facedown. Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do, Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more. Alameda Police "mishandled" the arrest of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez last week and caused his death, according to the attorney representing the man's family. The district attorney called the officers detention, arrest and use of force in the Gonzalez case objectively reasonable considering the agency policies, the totality of the circumstances, and the officers stated rationale., The coroners autopsy listed Gonzalezs cause of death as a heart attack brought on by the struggle with officers, as well as morbid obesity, methamphetamine use and alcoholism. The lawsuit cites a report released last week by the Alameda county coroners bureau that said the 19 April death of Mario Gonzalez was a homicide. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez. George Kelly is a breaking news reporter for the Bay Area News Group's East Bay Times and Mercury News. Sherwin said she also had sent requests for a federal investigation, not only to US Attorney General Merrick Garland and his chief deputy, Pamela Karlan, but also to the US attorney and the FBI in the Bay Area. Little Mario will hold the officers who killed his Papi accountable in federal court, and we will fight for reforms so no other family will suffer the way Marios family has suffered from this completely preventable and senseless death., Andrea Cortez, the mother of Mario Gonzalezs child, added: Mario was a peaceful, calm person. Police body camera video released a week after his death shows multiple officers holding Gonzalez to the ground for five minutes while attempting to arrest him on suspicion of shoplifting, a misdemeanor. Accordingly, the department has again determined that the public interest in non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.". The officers released Gonzalez several minutes later and found him unresponsive. Civil Rights attorney Julia Sherwin, who is representing the family, says her office will continue to press their case in court that it was the officers' prone weight restraint, not meth, that killed Gonzalez. Sherwin argues that is "a pretty low level of methamphetamine" that's comparable to or even lower than concentrations of the drug often seen in 'recreational' use of the drug. "Policeare not allowed to arrest people to keep from tripping," Sherwin said at the time. A tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said. All three remain on paid leave. Dec 13, 2021, 05:41 PM EST. The family is demanding that the officers involved James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley be fired and charged. Separately, the Police Department is conducting an internal affairs probe into the altercation, and the district attorney is reviewing the case to determine whether to file criminal charges. On April 19, police in the Bay Area city of Alameda responded to a report of an intoxicated man and a possible theft. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two wrongful death suits, nearly mirroring one another, have been filed against the City of Alameda alleging the officers detained Gonzalez without reasonable suspicion and caused him to die of asphyxia. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Its a video that has drawn comparison to that of the George Floyd killing. Members of the Gonzalez family believe police used excessive force when they attempted to arrest him. Alameda Police "mishandled" the arrest of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez last week and caused his death, according to the attorney representing the man's family. Gonzalez died April 19 after police pinned him to the ground for at least five minutes. Feds drop felony gun case days after defense argued SFPD illegally arrested, searched defendant The family also wants the California Department of Justice to investigate the police departments handling of the case. The release of the autopsy report is the latest development in the controversial death, which almost immediately drew protests and comparisons to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. All three remain on paid leave. Gonzalez, who complied with officers attempts to converse, appeared disoriented in a video later released. After learning his name, the officer adds, Mario, just please stop fighting us.. A statement issued Friday by Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers will remain on leave until the investigation is over. They are still waiting on the autopsy to be released by the coroners office. Alameda is 15 miles outside San Francisco. They broke my family for no reason.. Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I had a good reason not to tell my friend I was moving, Warriors 3 Things: Steve Kerr entered playoff mode before Golden State's win over Portland. His face had minor abrasions. 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. The case has sparked outrage in the community. Discovery Company. Sarah Ruiz-Grossman. Alameda Police officers James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley the officers who struggled with Gonzalez before his death remain on paid administrative leave. That's a huge boost for the Dubs, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. All three officers are on administrative leave. At least two officers knelt on him until he stopped breathing and lost his pulse. The police killed my brother, in the same manner they killed George Floyd, his brother Gerardo Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday. He wanted to be able to provide for his 4-year-old son, Mario Jr., whom he shared parenting duties with his ex-girlfriend in Fremont. , released Wednesday, said that Gonzalez died on April 19, 2021, from restraint asphyxiation, according to forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu. No weight no weight.. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! County officials dispute that characterization. 16-year-old student killed in violent altercation at Santa Rosa's Californias storms arent letting up. At least one officer kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes until Gonzalez became unresponsive. However, the independent autopsy, performed April 27, 2021 by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, says the primary cause of death was restraint asphyxiation. But he delayed those dreams to helphis mom with the bills and care for his younger brother who suffers from severe autism. 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. He adored our son and was a good father. If they had rolled him on his side when the first officer said to, my sons father might still be here.. Then officers can be seen putting Gonzalezs hands behind his back and pinning him facedown. He got depressed. The autopsy also noted that Gonzalez had more than 20 cuts and bruises. "Here it's pretty obvious this individual is suffering from compression restraint asphyxia," Obayashi said. The other refuses, saying he doesn't want to lose his grip. I agree with the sheriff-coroner that it is a homicide. Gonzalez died on the same day that the jury began deliberating in the George Floyd case, ultimately findingMinneapolis police officer Derick Chauvin guilty of murdering Floydlast May. Were going to take care of you, OK, were going to take care of you, one officer tells him. Heres how. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The proposed reforms include creating a civilian police oversight board, revising the department's use-of-force policies and requiring a "non-police response" to certain types of 911 calls. A week after Gonzalezs death, the city identified the officers placed on leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely. The family has not gotten any updates from officials in months, according to the familys attorney. 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. 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. WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO:Alameda officers kneel on man before his death, Several experts have said that officers have long been trained not to handcuff people facedown on the ground as it can lead to "restraint asphyxia.". 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 autopsy by the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau rules Gonzalez's death a homicide but says the main cause was "toxic effects of methamphetamine.". She's says she's hopeful the Alameda County District Attorney's office "will do their job and prosecute the officers for the homicide that they committed, to hold those officers accountable in criminal court in Alameda County. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. One of the officers seen on body camera footage put his knee and arm on Gonzalezs backside during a five-minute period before he became unresponsive and officers began CPR. "We don't even know the cause of death right now," he said. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. It is a sad day when political expediency and obvious conflicts of interest seemingly outweigh the principles of equal justice under the law as it has in the death (of) Mario and far too many other men, women and children killed by police, Pointer said. She joined the Chronicle in 2015 after stints at several alt weekly newspapers. His death was ruled a homicide but also linked to health and drug use, Oakland leaders are scrambling to tackle violence and attract police officers. "While we wait for the District Attorneys office to make their decision and with the knowledge of the coroners report, the city will work diligently towards completing its ongoing independent investigation and take appropriate action," Joshi said in his statement. Crime and Public Safety | He is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a BA degree in journalism. He was highly intoxicated in a public place, in a manner where he was unable to care for himself, Berry Wilkinson said. Blood tests were positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, according to the autopsy report. Click here and here to download a copy of the coroner's report. Gonzalezs family filed a legal claim against the city of Alameda last June, and their attorney told the news station KTVU they plan to file a federal lawsuit soon. An independent autopsy confirmed what the Latino fathers family had declared: Police in Alameda, California, killed him, not meth. 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