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Custody of Suspect Becomes Death Sentence For North Carolina Resident

Jan 28, 2021 Brown Moore Wrongful Death

When someone is in the custody of the police, there are clear protocols to ensure the person receives due process. Law enforcement has safeguards in place to make sure detainees placed in custody are not going to be harmed or, worse, lose their lives awaiting a bail hearing or trial. At Brown Moore & Associates, our Charlotte wrongful death lawyers want to discuss a tragedy that occurred when police took a man into their custody and did nothing to give him the medical attention he needed.

What Happened in This Charlotte Wrongful Death?

In January 2020, Harold Easter was placed into Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police custody. He admitted to putting drugs into his mouth and swallowing according to documents; the police were aware of his imminent medical emergency.

Instead of calling for medical help, the four officers and sergeant, who later resigned pending disciplinary hearings, allowed Mr. Easter to be shackled to the floor of the CMPD interview alone as he suffered through a heart attack and seizure. According to reports by CMPD, the officers saw residue on Easter’s tongue and discussed the quantity of cocaine he swallowed. Twenty minutes later, while he was shackled to the floor and left unattended, he experienced life-threatening health issues.

Easter died three days after his arrest and detainment.

According to the news report, the CMPD has received an average of 138 complaints against the department, with 70% of them sustained—meaning the allegations had enough evidence to prove their validity.

If a simple call had been made when it was discovered that Easter had swallowed drugs, he would most likely be alive today.

Wrongful Deaths Cause A Great Loss and Too Many Unanswered Questions

Police need to be leaders when it comes to keeping people safe. They need to uphold the law, perform the due process, and make sure those in their care and not mistreated or ignored. When someone dies tragically at the hands of those who should keep them safe, it causes immense heartache and leaves the survivors with many unanswered questions.

The family members of the victim in a wrongful death have to deal with such problems such as:

  • Loss of salary from the victim
  • Loss of stability in the home
  • Unable to keep up with rent or mortgage payments
  • Unforeseen legal and medical bills
  • Emotional and physical trauma

Call Us For a Free Consultation on Your Case

If somebody you love has been the victim of a wrongful death caused by someone’s careless and negligent actions in the Charlotte area, please contact us immediately. Please call as soon as possible because the statute of limitations on wrongful death is only two years, and we know you do not want the time to run out before we can help. We pledge to conduct a thorough and full investigation into your claim so we can secure the compensation you desperately need. This can include:

  • The medical and hospital bills accrued before death
  • The estimated value of the comfort and service your loved one would have provided had he lived
  • Estate administration expense in regards to the wrongful death
  • The loss of guidance, inheritance, moral upbringing, advice, love, guidance, and support
  • Funeral and burial expenses

When you need a Charlotte wrongful death lawyer, you can contact Brown Moore & Associates for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 704-335-1500.