Oklahoma man who died in police custody had pneumonia
BY AP Wire Service
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY — The medical examiner's office has concluded homicide was the manner of death and acute pneumonia was the cause of death for a man on whom Oklahoma City police used force following an arrest.
A preliminary report released Monday indicated the pneumonia Robin Howard developed resulted from chest trauma brought on by blunt force.
Police say officers tried to stop Howard's car June 19 for traffic violations, but he fled and crashed into a pole. Howard then ran away but the officers caught him and used force when he allegedly resisted arrest.
Howard was hospitalized and died June 23.
Capt. Dexter Nelson says Officers Jeff Coffey and Doug Grady are on restricted duty.
The attorney for Howard's family, David Slane, says he doesn't understand why more information hasn't been released.
