In Georgia, nine deputies have been fired in connection to the death of 21 year-old Matthew Ajibade. Ajibade was a student in Savannah, Georgia and was suffering from a manic episode when he died in the custody of police on New Year’s Day. Read more and watch the video after the jump.
Police first came in contact with Ajibade when they were called to the home after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance. When they arrived according to the incident report, Ajibade was holding a women under a blanket, also her “face was bruised, and her nose was bleeding.”
The woman was Ajibade’s girlfriend and told officers she was not hurt. She wanted the police to take Ajibade for medical attention. She even gave them his medication and she was assured they would take him to he hospital. They took him to the precinct instead.
The officers claim that Ajibade “became combative during the booking process.” They 21 year-old suffered from mental illness and was having an episode.
The family lawyer, Mark O’Mara, who also represented George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin trial, said ‘Ajibade had bipolar disorder.’
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Affairs Division of the Sheriff’s Office has started separate reviews. According to the Sheriff’s Office the district attorney is still looking through the case and will decide if criminal charges are necessary.
The Sheriff’s Office also stated that it intends to change policy regarding booking procedures that require medical personnel to be notified when those who require medication arrive for booking.
Source CNN
