Tucson, AZ: Man's death after arrest ruled accidental High levels of drugs and alcohol found in suspect's system

By Brian J. Pedersen
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.14.2010
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The death of a Tucson man who collapsed while in police custody has been ruled accidental, records show.
Shon W. Garrett, 31, had high levels of alcohol and an antipsychotic drug in his system when he died Nov. 4, according to an autopsy report released by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office.
Toxicology results showed Garrett, who had a history of paranoid schizophrenia and hypertension, had more than three times the normal level of the antipsychotic quetiapine in his system, the report said. Alcohol, marijuana, caffeine and medication to treat hypertension were also found in his system, according to the report. His blood-alcohol level was 0.22, nearly three times the legal limit.
Tucson police were called in the early morning hours of Nov. 4 to a home in the 3400 block of South Sarnoff Drive in response to a domestic dispute between Garrett and his girlfriend.
Garrett was arrested on suspicion of physically assaulting his girlfriend, and during the course of his arrest he pulled a kitchen knife on officers, who had to use pepper spray, batons and punches to detain him, said Sgt. Fabian Pacheco, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
Garrett was eventually handcuffed and had a "bag-type restraint device" placed over his legs, according to the autopsy report. While outside of the home Garrett was initially yelling but then became quiet, and paramedics who were on hand to treat Garrett's girlfriend did a quick check on Garrett, the report said.
Garrett had a high pulse but normal blood pressure and respiratory levels, the report said. But shortly after paramedics left the scene, an officer noticed Garrett was not breathing, according to the report.
Officers attempted CPR before paramedics returned and took Garrett to St. Joseph's Hospital, where police said he was pronounced dead.
Garrett's autopsy revealed numerous injuries to his head, torso, arms and legs, as well as broken ribs, though no significant internal injuries were found. It was determined the broken ribs were likely the result of CPR, the report said.
A board of inquiry reviewed Garrett's death, a standard practice for any in-custody deaths, but the results of the inquiry were not immediately available, Pacheco said.
Contact reporter Brian J. Pedersen at bjp@azstarnet.com or call 573-4224.