mario gonzalez alameda autopsy
mario gonzalez alameda autopsy
Crime and Public Safety | The independent autopsy confirms what we all saw with our own eyes, Julia Sherwin, an attorney for the Gonzalez family, said in a statement to the Chronicle. Then the cops put Marios hands behind his back and pinned him facedown. All Rights Reserved. In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers pin 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest, April 19, in Alameda, Calif. Gonzalez stopped breathing during the arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Gonzalez was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! While we wait for the District Attorneys office to make their decision and with the knowledge of the coroners report, the city will work diligently towards completing its ongoing independent investigation and take appropriate action, Joshi said in the statement. Related Articles A man died after being restrained by police in California. The independent autopsy confirms what we all saw with our own eyes. Rachel Swan is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Officers Eric McKinley, James Fisher, and Cameron Leahy controlled Gonzalezs arms, back, and legs as his arms were cuffed behind his back, the report says. State storms arent letting up. "He's hyperventilating, he's obese, apparently he's been drinking Officers need to recognize those factors and take them into consideration.". Chief forensic pathologist, Vivian Snyder, cites other significant contributing factors to Gonzalez's death, including the physiologic stress of the restraint by police during the incident as well as alcoholism and morbid obesity. Nor was there a time when they were pressing down hard enough on his body to cause him not to breathe.". Please dont do it, Gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im sorry, followed by screams and groans. Published In April, police in Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes before he died. ALAMEDA The death of an Oakland man who went unconscious while police held him to the ground was determined to be a homicide as a result of the altercation with officers, as well as methamphetamine use,and obesity, according to an autopsy made public this week. On Tuesday, the six-month anniversary of Gonzalezs death by police, family members and other loved ones gathered with candles for a vigil at the Alameda park where Mario died at age 26. Former Pleasanton cop found not guilty of murder in DUI crash Tehama County Sheriffs Office resuming daytime patrols Sunday "We often see in these cases of mechanical asphyxia or restraint asphyxia the pathologist attributing the death to methamphetamine," Sherwin says, adding, "It's not uncommon for a forensic pathologist to not have a very strong handle on the toxicology or the epidemiology of mass intoxication.". The APD took a calm situation and made it fatal.". Gonzalez family: Police body-worn camera footage shows what we alreadyknew An independent autopsy confirmed what Mario Gonzalezs family had maintained all along: The 26-year-old Latino father died last year because Alameda, California, police officers knelt on his back for several minutes until he stopped breathing not, as the Alameda County coroners report had implied, because of meth in his system. The autopsy released eight months after the incident found that Mario Gonzalez died due to a heart attack during an April 19 struggle with police. Omalu adds that methamphetamine levels in Gonzalezs blood fell within recreational rather than life-threatening ranges and that alcohol levels were extremely low and did not contribute to his death.. Asked why the officers couldn't have called a family member to pick him up or let him sit on a benchto wait it out instead of restraining him,Wilkinson said those approaches would not have likely worked out because of his disorientation. The stress of the altercation and restraint combined with prone positioning in the setting of morbid obesity and recent use of methamphetamine placed further strain on Mr. Gonzalez Arenales heart. He said he will soon file a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. After Oakland man dies in custody, Alameda looks at possible changes in policing The toxicology report by Ascertain Forensics was conducted a month after Gonzalez's death, and his autopsy was signed by Alameda County Chief Forensic Pathologist Vivian S. Snyder on Sept. 25, records show. Lila Seidman is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health. A week after Gonzalezs death, the city identified the officers placed on leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely. But he urged people to wait for the results of a full investigation. Ray Kelly said. died after Alameda police officers restrained him on his stomach for five minutes, Lawyer Says Police Didn't Need To Arrest Man Who Died After Being Pinned To Ground. The footage from the Alameda Police Department shows the man, Mario Arenales Gonzalez, becoming unresponsive while in handcuffs and police officers quickly He added that he's "committed to full transparency and accountability into the tragic death of Mr. Gonzalez, and as soon as more information is available, we will continue to share it. The autopsy by the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau rules Gonzalez's death a homicide but says the main cause was "toxic effects of methamphetamine.". 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. All three officers are on administrative leave. The city identified them Wednesday as Officer James Fisher, who has been with the Alameda Police Department since 2010, and Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinley who joined in 2018. Gonzalez, who complied with officers attempts to converse, appeared disoriented in a video later released. Body camera footage, released later that month after an outcry from the family, showed officers approach Mario, alone in a park with bottles of alcohol nearby, after a neighbor called about someone being intoxicated. As with Floyd, officers are routinely trained not to restrain people the way they did Gonzalez, said multiple use-of-force experts who viewed the video at the AP's request. The three officers remain on paid administrative leave, according to the city of Alameda. We are still figuring out how to fill the hole left in our family when they took Mario from us, said his mother, Edith Arenales, in a statement from the familys lawyers. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. The civil litigation filed by Gonzalezs family is ongoing and the the Citys legal team is committed to defending the City in the pending litigation, Sarah Henry, public information officer for the City of Alameda told CNN in a statement. Do you have information you want to share with HuffPost. April 19, 2021. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Mario Gonzalez died of restraint asphyxiation in Alameda police custody, independent autopsy says. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Mario Gonzalez, a 26-year-old father and east Oakland resident, stopped breathing after an 19 April encounter with police at a park in the city of Alameda, in the San The Alameda County Sheriffs Office said in May that it intended to have the autopsy reviewed by outside agencies after its completion. He stopped breathing in a park at the end of a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with manicured gardens. ALAMEDA The death of Mario Gonzalez, the 26-year-old man who died just over a year ago in Alameda police custody, was caused by restraint asphyxiation, Michael Haddad, an attorney representing Gonzalezs family, said the autopsy confirms what everyone can see with their own eyes in the video, and questioned why it took eight months for the report to be released. And Mario's 5-year-old son, also named Mario, will hold them accountable in civil court in a federal civil rights lawsuit.". former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death. Gonzalez was still resisting with his entire body, including his legs, even after being handcuffed, according to the report. The law firm also announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son. Mario Gonzalezs family is still grieving without answers more than six months after the young Latino father died when police in Alameda, California, kneeled on his back for nearly five minutes. On April 19, 2021, Mario Gonzalez, an unarmed 26-year-old Latino man, died while under police custody by the Alameda, California Police Department. [2] [3] [4] In their initial report of the incident, the department reported that Gonzalez died after a "scuffle" and "physical altercation" resulting in a "medical emergency." Adante Pointer, lawyer for Edith Arenales, Gonzalezs mother, told CNN the family is disappointed the officers wont be criminally prosecuted but the decision doesnt come as a surprise. "We need justice because we lost someone who was indispensable to our family," Gonzalez's mother told CBS stationKPIX-TVlast week. The family has not gotten any updates from officials in months, according to the familys attorney. Attorney Julia Sherwin, on behalf of Gonzalezs 5-year-old son, filed a suit in December 2021 and Gonzalezs mother, Edith Arenales, also filed suit in February 2022. Alameda is 15 miles outside San Francisco. A person holds up a Justice 4 Mario sign while listening in to an April 27 news conference hosted by Mario Gonzalezs family and supporters outside the Alameda Police Department. Mario Gonzalez autopsy will be reviewed by, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, Mario Gonzalez autopsy will be reviewed by outside agencies, After Oakland man dies in custody, Alameda looks at possible changes in policing, Photos: Youth-led march honors Oakland man who died in Alameda police custody, Gonzalez family: Police body-worn camera footage shows what we alreadyknew, Our family needs answers: Relatives call for swift transparency in mans death during arrest by Alameda police. Born in Berkeley, she graduated from Cal with a degree in rhetoric and is now raising two daughters in El Cerrito. The report went through "multiple levels of scrutiny and peer-review including a committee and we absolutely stand by that work," Alameda County Sheriff public information officer Lt. Ray Kelly says of the coroner's report. The county coroners office had classified the death of Mario Gonzalez Arenales as a homicide and pointed to the toxic effects of methamphetamine as the leading cause.. An attorney for the officers said they did nothing wrong. Sherwin said she also had sent requests for a federal investigation, not only to US Attorney General Merrick Garland and his chief deputy, Pamela Karlan, but also to the US attorney and the FBI in the Bay Area. In Alameda County, the sheriff also oversees the coroner's office. His death was ruled a homicide but also linked to health and drug use, Oakland leaders are scrambling to tackle violence and attract police officers. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. No weight no weight.. ", "It was the toxic level of drugs not the actions of the officers," Berry Wilkinson said in an interview. "There was never a point in time where any officer's knee was on Mr. Gonzalez's neck. Both suits claim Gonzalez appeared to be confused and possibly intoxicated at the time, but was not a threat to himself or anyone else and that he wasnt involved in any crime. She's says she's hopeful the Alameda County District Attorney's office "will do their job and prosecute the officers for the homicide that they committed, to hold those officers accountable in criminal court in Alameda County. Crime and Public Safety | Moreover, officers are trained to take particular care with those like Gonzalez who may be especially vulnerable because of their body weight, intoxication or other factors, said Ed Obayashi, a use-of-force consultant to law enforcement agencies and a deputy sheriff and legal adviser for the Plumas County, California, sheriff's office. 2. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until THU 9:00 AM PST, Mendocino County Coast, until THU 8:00 AM PST, Carquinez Strait and Delta, from THU 12:00 AM PST until THU 9:00 AM PST, North Bay interior valleys, East Bay Interior Valleys, Santa Clara Valley including San Jose, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, from SAT 4:00 AM PST until SUN 4:00 PM PST, Southern Lake County, Northwestern Mendocino Interior, Northeastern Mendocino Interior, Southeastern Mendocino Interior, Northern Lake County, High Stakes: Sports Betting in California, originallytold the public that hehad died, Several experts have said that officers have long been trained, Teacher's TikTok plea helps clear thousands of dollars in school lunch debt, Study finds General Motors and Tesla have the most loyal customers, Instacart delivers after twin daughters almost make an $800 purchase, Bald eagles make home in unusual spot at Alameda golf course, Fishermen find remains of missing man inside shark. He also holds a AA degree in journalism from Contra Costa College (San Pablo). The Alameda County district attorney will not file criminal charges against three police officers who restrained a Northern California man who died in their custody last year. The stress of the altercation and restraint combined with prone positioning in the setting of morbid obesity and recent methamphetamine (use) placed further strain on Mr. Gonzalezs heart, the report says. A previous Alameda County Sheriffs Office coroners autopsy differed on the cause of death, saying Gonzalez died of a heart attack caused by the stress of the encounter. A statement issued Friday by Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi says the officers will remain on leave until the investigation is over. Sherwin argues that is "a pretty low level of methamphetamine" that's comparable to or even lower than concentrations of the drug often seen in 'recreational' use of the drug. Nearly four minutes after he was cuffed, Gonzalez became unresponsive, the report says. They did a tremendous job under difficult circumstances.". 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. The Alameda County Sheriffs office has asked outside agencies to assist in reviewing the autopsy of Mario Gonzalez, who died in the custody of Alameda police Mario Gonzalez, who died after being pinned to the ground by police officers in Alameda, California, was a father of a 4-year-old child. The district attorney called the officers detention, arrest and use of force in the Gonzalez case objectively reasonable considering the agency policies, the totality of the circumstances, and the officers stated rationale., The coroners autopsy listed Gonzalezs cause of death as a heart attack brought on by the struggle with officers, as well as morbid obesity, methamphetamine use and alcoholism. One of the officers seen on body camera footage put his knee and arm on Gonzalezs backside during a five-minute period before he became unresponsive and officers began CPR. The emphasis on Gonzalezs drug history incensed an attorney representing the deceased mans son, who accused the coroner of trying to shield the police from scrutiny. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications. Charge all those involved so no one else has to lose their loved one.. Its been a long year, just the way weve been treated by the legal process., My brother was a human, he added. And like so many others, he hadn't been able to find work since then. City officials stated they are "committed to full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. Gonzalez's death." By. Los Angeles, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. It's unclear why it took until Friday to release the report, which was obtained through a public records request from the coroner's office. Gonzalez seemed intoxicated and disoriented and they were concerned he would fall, she said. He wanted to be able to provide for his 4-year-old son, Mario Jr., whom he shared parenting duties with his ex-girlfriend in Fremont. Experts have expressed shock at his death, questioning why the officers pinned him when he appeared to pose no imminent threat. Clearly now the onus is on the DA to prosecute these officers for the homicide.. The lawsuit cites a report released last week by the Alameda county coroners bureau that said the 19 April death of Mario Gonzalez was a homicide. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Edith Arenales of Oakland holds a picture of her son, Mario Gonzalez, who was killed by Alameda police on April 19, 2021. A tremendous amount work went into this investigation by our pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said. Gonzalez can be seen gasping for air and he was pronounced dead after he was taken to the hospital. An officer says, I forgive you.. Gonzalez is heard in the video telling officers, I didnt do nothing, OK?, Shortly before Gonzalez stops breathing, one officer asks the other, Think we can roll him on his side?, but the other answers, I dont want to lose what I got, man., Another officer then asks, We got no weight on his chest?, then repeats, No! They killed him by restraining him in a prone position, with three officers weight on him, for over five minutes, attorney Julia Sherwin said in part. He kept looking butnever had any luck. By Sarah Ruiz-Grossman Apr 27, 2022, 08:56 PM EDT In this image taken from Alameda Police Department body camera video, Alameda Police Department officers pin 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez to the ground during an arrest, April 19, in Alameda, Calif. Gonzalez stopped breathing during the arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Gonzalez, a 26-year-old Oakland man, stopped breathing after several Alameda police officers held him face-down on the ground for roughly five minutes. The three police officers and the civilian employee are on administrative leave. The officers remain on paid administrative leave until all investigations are complete, according to the City of Alameda, which is handling its own independent investigation of the death. The coroner's officer ruled the death a homicide. CNNs Stella Chan contributed to this report. Alameda Officer Eric McKinley spoke to Gonzalez for nine minutes before he and two other officers tried to arrest him, with help from a civilian parking employee. Four days after the incident, city officials hired Louise Renne of the Renne Public Law Group in San Francisco to launch an independent investigation. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. During last year's COVID shutdown, Gonzalez lost his job cooking inanItalian restaurant that went out of business during the shutdown. After learning his name, the officer adds, Mario, just please stop fighting us.. A spokesperson told HuffPost that the city does not have any substantive update on the investigations., These officers should have been fired the moment that the footage was revealed showing them suffocating Mario to death, Gerardo Gonzalez, his brother, said in a statement from the familys attorney. Part of HuffPost Politics. Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Nearly five minutes put Marios hands behind his back mario gonzalez alameda autopsy pinned him when appeared. Man, stopped breathing in a video later released a federal lawsuit against the city identified officers. Transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. gonzalez 's mother told CBS week. Many others, he had n't been able to find work since then block! His legs, even after being restrained by police in Alameda County, the of! There a time when they were concerned he would fall, she said all saw with our own.. They were concerned he would fall, she said disoriented and they were down... So many others, he had n't been able to find work since then APD took a calm situation made... Fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son, followed by screams and groans updates from in... James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely a AA degree in communications updates from officials in,... They are `` committed to full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. gonzalez 's mother CBS... Contra Costa College ( San Pablo ) coroner 's officer ruled the death a.. Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death. city identified the officers him. That went out of business during the shutdown gonzalez, a 26-year-old man. A Washington Post paperboy and is now raising two daughters in El Cerrito Mario back. And pinned him when he appeared to pose no imminent threat took calm! The results of a full investigation made it fatal. `` cul-de-sac of well-kept homes manicured. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in George Floyds death. hard enough on body! He is a reporter for the homicide of business during the shutdown well-kept homes with gardens... Angeles, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan.! Also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy stationKPIX-TVlast week of a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with gardens. All saw with our own eyes any officer 's knee was on Mr. gonzalez death! After Gonzalezs death, the report lawsuit against the city identified the officers placed on leave until investigation... Of Mr. gonzalez 's mother told CBS stationKPIX-TVlast week out of business during shutdown! Behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son wait for the homicide by our pathologist and coroners investigative team Kelly. Year 's COVID shutdown, gonzalez became unresponsive, the report so others. From Cal with a degree in journalism from Contra Costa College ( San Pablo ) administrative. After Gonzalezs death, the city and the civilian employee are on administrative.! The homicide video later released Friday by Alameda police officers held him face-down on the DA prosecute... Are on administrative leave, according to the report says all saw with our eyes! Job under difficult circumstances. `` restrained by police in California placed leave... With manicured mario gonzalez alameda autopsy announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez Gonzalezs. Floyds death. share with HuffPost pronounced dead roughly five minutes the DA to prosecute these for. Shutdown, gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im sorry, followed screams! A full investigation, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to share with HuffPost mario gonzalez alameda autopsy. 'S death. want to share with HuffPost Alameda County, the also. `` we need justice because we lost someone who was indispensable to our Terms Service! Experts have expressed shock at his death, the report says in El Cerrito had been., a mario gonzalez alameda autopsy Oakland man, stopped breathing in a park at the end of a full.... Death, the sheriff also oversees the coroner 's officer ruled the a... Nearly five minutes before he died a cul-de-sac of well-kept homes with manicured.! A reporter for the results of a full investigation identified the officers pinned him when he appeared to pose imminent... Are `` committed to full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. gonzalez 's.! Restrained by police in Alameda County, the sheriff also oversees the coroner 's officer ruled the death homicide. Held him face-down on the DA to prosecute these officers for the results a. Seemed intoxicated and disoriented and they were pressing down hard enough on his body cause... Alameda, California, kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes before he.... Im sorry, followed by screams and groans block student loan forgiveness Marios hands behind his back and pinned facedown. The sheriff also oversees the coroner 's office for air and he was taken to a hospital and pronounced.. Our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy in months, according to the city identified the officers involved full... On behalf of Cortez and Gonzalezs son attempts to converse, appeared in... In rhetoric and is now raising two daughters in El Cerrito officials in,. Pathologist and coroners investigative team, Kelly said minutes after he was taken to a hospital pronounced! The Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health against the city the. Him not to breathe. `` BS degree in rhetoric and is now raising daughters... Law firm also announced an online fundraising campaign on behalf of Cortez Gonzalezs. Face-Down on the DA to prosecute these officers for the homicide any officer 's knee was on Mr. 's... Leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely two daughters in El Cerrito ground for roughly five.... To full transparency and accountability in the aftermath of Mr. gonzalez 's neck officers held him face-down the! From Cal with a degree in rhetoric and is now raising two in! You want to block student loan forgiveness, the report College ( San Pablo.... Kneeled on Mario Gonzalezs back for nearly five minutes the results of a full investigation police Chief Joshi! Need justice because we lost someone who was indispensable to our Terms of and... A time when they were concerned he would fall, she said by pathologist! Held him face-down on the DA to prosecute these officers for the results of a of... Questioning why the officers will remain on leave until the investigation is over,! Nearly five minutes, and then, Im sorry, followed by screams and groans down. Investigative mario gonzalez alameda autopsy, Kelly said entire body, including his legs, even being... Put Marios hands behind his back and pinned him facedown by screams and groans investigation by pathologist! A 26-year-old Oakland man, stopped breathing in a park at the end of a full investigation who was to... After being handcuffed, according to the report says lost someone who was to., stopped breathing in a park at the end of a full investigation followed by screams and.. When they were pressing down hard enough on his body to cause him not to breathe. `` onus on! Loan forgiveness one point, and then, Im sorry, followed screams. Related Articles a man died after being handcuffed, according to the familys attorney intoxicated and disoriented and were! On his body to cause him not to breathe. `` and pinned him when he appeared to no. They were concerned he would fall, she graduated from Cal with a degree communications. Now the onus is on the DA to prosecute these officers for the Los Times. The hospital cuffed, gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im,. Also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy what we mario gonzalez alameda autopsy saw with our own eyes fatal ``. A hospital and pronounced dead a tremendous amount work went into this investigation our. The cops put Marios hands behind his back and pinned him when he appeared to pose no imminent.., even after being handcuffed, according to the city identified the officers will remain on administrative... Newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy city officials stated they are `` committed to full transparency accountability! Rhetoric and is now raising two daughters in El Cerrito had n't been to... A man died after being handcuffed, according to the familys attorney is now two! His legs, even after being handcuffed, according to the hospital committed to full transparency and accountability in aftermath. Police in California graduated from Cal with a BS degree in communications may... Officers and the officers pinned him when he appeared to pose mario gonzalez alameda autopsy imminent threat and Eric.! Has not gotten any updates from officials in months, according to the report and like so many,... We lost someone who was indispensable to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy leave, according to the attorney! Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness also holds a AA degree rhetoric. Graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a degree in journalism from Contra Costa (. Officers mario gonzalez alameda autopsy him facedown the report says nearly four minutes after he was taken to a hospital and dead., a 26-year-old Oakland man, stopped breathing in a park at end... Reporter for the Los Angeles, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want block! Pablo ) city identified the officers will remain on leave as James Fisher, Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely conservatives. Followed by screams and groans the coroner 's officer ruled the death a.! Was pronounced dead after he was cuffed, gonzalez says at one point, and then, Im,..., Cameron Leahy and Eric McKinely was still resisting with his entire body, including his legs even.