Published: Friday, July 09, 2010, 1:35 PM Updated: Friday, July 09, 2010, 1:36 PM
TOMS RIVER — Authorities won't file criminal charges in the case of a man who died after scuffling with guards at a Toms River hospital.
Darnell Myres, 43, of Manchester, went to Community Medical center on April 27 to get stitches in his lip after a fight with his girlfriend. Police said he had an altercation with guards and was taken to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, where he died May 2.
The Atlantic County prosecutor's office, which took over the case because Ocean County prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford has a relative who works at the hospital, determined Myers died of a heart attack related to his scuffle with guards.
"The absence of traumatic injury to Mr. Myres demonstrates that the death was not the result of force used against him," said assistant prosecutor Murray Talasnik. "The stress of physical resistance triggered a heart attack due to pre-existing conditions including an enlarged heart, intoxication and obesity.
"As a result, there is no evidence to support a criminal prosecution against any of the security officers for any form of criminal homicide in connection with the death of Darnell Myres," Talasnik said.
The hospital determined Myres was intoxicated and asked him to take off his clothes and put on a gown to reduce the likelihood of him trying to leave the hospital while drunk, the prosecutor's office said.
But Myres refused and fought with guards and a nurse, authorities said.
During the struggle, he was given a sedative injection to calm him, and eventually was placed in a bed with restraints before suffering a heart attack. Hospital workers administered CPR, but he did not regain consciousness.
No comments:
Post a Comment