LOS ANGELES : Investigation Clears Police in 1993 Jail Ward Death
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Friday that an investigation into the December, 1993, death of a man in the jail ward of County-USC Medical Center has concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that either Sheriff’s Department or Los Angeles Police Department officers were responsible.
Jose Martinez, arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, suffered a heart attack and died six days later without regaining consciousness after being restrained on a gurney by officers. Martinez had been taken to the jail ward twice that day, first for treatment of injuries suffered in an apparent home break-in, and later because he was suffering from delirium.
Martinez’s case is one of three jail ward death or alleged excessive use-of-force cases being reviewed by the district attorney and other agencies.
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