Huffington Post · 2/18/03 · Simon McCormack
The death of a man with Down syndrome who was reportedly killed after lying face-down in police custody has been ruled a homicide.
WJLA reports that Robert Saylor, 26, of New Market, Md., was asphyxiated on Jan. 12, according to a medical examiner's ruling late last week.
A "law enforcement source familiar with the case" told the station that Saylor "went into distress when he was put face down on the ground."
Police were reportedly called to a Frederick movie theater by employees who couldn't get Saylor to leave. He had come to the theater with a health aide, paid admission for "Zero Dark Thirty," but allegedly remained after it was over.
Dr. George Kirkham, a criminologist and former law enforcement officer, told the Frederick News Post that Saylor's death may have been caused by positional asphyxia.
WJLA reports that Robert Saylor, 26, of New Market, Md., was asphyxiated on Jan. 12, according to a medical examiner's ruling late last week.
A "law enforcement source familiar with the case" told the station that Saylor "went into distress when he was put face down on the ground."
Police were reportedly called to a Frederick movie theater by employees who couldn't get Saylor to leave. He had come to the theater with a health aide, paid admission for "Zero Dark Thirty," but allegedly remained after it was over.
Dr. George Kirkham, a criminologist and former law enforcement officer, told the Frederick News Post that Saylor's death may have been caused by positional asphyxia.
I meant to post a comment with this - As the father of an autistic son, this article absolutely outrages me.
It's very frightening too.
Law enforcement has known for some time that this and other traditional forms of controlling a subject can result in death. For that reason, I believe that this is not only a homicide, it is also murder.
Our society is becoming nothing more than a herd of animals that prey on the defenseless.
"Survival of the fittest"/most powerful.
We've seen it coming....the lack of caring for other human beings, concern for fellow man. A society of "me" and not "us".
Imho, it's become much, much worse since 2008.
Yes. Obama has fueled the "me" crowd. United we stand, divided we fall. Bams number one motto.
For the love of God, his doctor should have been called, NOT the police!
But onyx, that would have been understanding and compassionate and they just wanted him out of their way.
Btw, what the hell was his aide doing? Nothing?
Death panels in their glory.
This individual doesn't fit the workerbee profile and is therefore an expendable useless eater.
His aide was likely intimidated by the police. Perhaps he was a youthful guy, too.