Death of Jonathan Sanders
Jonathan Sanders was a 39-year-old unarmed black Mississippi man who died while being arrested by police on July 8, 2015 in Stonewall, Mississippi.[1] After investigation, a grand jury determined that Sanders acted under the influence of cocaine and that the officer did not use excessive force.
Incident and inquiry
At the time of the incident, witnesses said Sanders' breathing was obstructed by the arresting officer for as much as 30 minutes, and that Sanders died at the scene. At his funeral on July 18, 2015, 1000 people attended.[2] The FBI was reported to have joined the investigation into Sanders' death.[3] At the end of August 2015, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was working on their report, and the FBI did not comment on the status of their inquiry.[4]
Outcome of grand jury
On March 9, 2016, a Clarke County, Mississippi grand jury determined that Sanders died of "mechanical asphyxia" after swallowing a bag of cocaine, and that the police officer "was in the right to pursue Sanders based on the suspicion he was involved in drug activity". It furthermore determined there was no evidence showing a traumatic injury inflicted by the police officer. There was speculation over whether the police officer had used a racial slur during the incident. The jury found no evidence to support that.[5] The jury concluded that Sanders "did not act in conformity with his normal character due to the influence of cocaine which was found in his system at the time of his death".[6]
See also
References
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- ↑ Jonathan Sanders: Mississippi still investigating horse trainer's death The Associated Press. August 31, 2015.
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