Man’s Death in Jail Ward Investigated
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives this week continued to investigate the death of a 41-year-old man in officers’ custody at County-USC Medical Center.
John Bernard Wiley Jr. of Mar Vista died at 8:46 p.m. Friday after a struggle with officers in the hospital’s jail ward, Deputy Gabe Ramirez said.
Deputies arrested Wiley at 4:38 p.m. Friday after responding to a report of a domestic dispute in the 12200 block of Pacific Avenue.
While Wiley was being restrained, a struggle ensued and a police officer was assaulted, Ramirez said. Wiley reportedly fell down a flight of stairs and received a cut on the back of his head.
He was arrested and transported to the County-USC jail ward for treatment and booking.
Wiley “became combative after his handcuffs were removed” at the hospital, Ramirez said. Several deputies and a Los Angeles Police Department officer were attempting to restrain him when he stopped breathing, Ramirez said.
Doctors could not revive Wiley, Ramirez said.
Scott Carrier, spokesman for the coroner’s office, said an autopsy has been completed. The cause of death will be determined after toxicology results are received.
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