| Subject: New case for Fieger's firm |
Author:
Chris
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Date Posted: 07/11/06 6:02pm
Asphyxia deemed cause of death
Full autopsy result for Lee Jr. due in two months
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: July 6, 2006
The autopsy of Clifton Lee Jr. revealed his death was a result of weight on his chest, restricting his breathing.
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"He died of asphyxia," said Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Bader Cassin. "He had restriction of his respiration during an altercation with police officers."
Cassin said the combined weight of police officers on top of Lee, and Lee's own body weight pressed against the ground, was what affected Lee's breathing.
"It led to the compression of his chest," Cassin said, "at least partially."
The incident originally took place around 1:30 a.m. in the West Willow neighborhood near Kaiser Elementary School in Ypsilanti Township on June 1.
A physical altercation took place between Lee, 45, and Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies when Lee interfered with a police stop near the intersection of Eugene and Cayuga Avenues.
It was originally suspected the use of pepper-spray by police officers resulted in Lee's death.
"I find evidence that [pepper-spray] was used," Cassin said, "but I'm not sure what it contributed to his death."
Cassin said he could not determine the manner of Lee's death because he did not know the officers' motive. He was able to review video of the event with the Michigan State Police, the lead agency in the investigation of Lee's death.
"It gave me a sense of the events and circumstances involved," Cassin said.
Southfield law firm Fieger, Fieger, Kenney and Johnson is representing Lee's family in the investigation.
"They caused his death," Broschay said. "He was met with overwhelming force. To brutally restrain and assault him as they did can never be justified."
When asked if he had seen evidence of Lee getting hit, Cassin said, "I didn't see that."
Broschay said he has talked to witnesses that say police did assault Lee.
"He may not have been bruised, but that doesn't mean he didn't do it. The most important issue is that they killed a man without justification."
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Commander Dave Egeler said the investigation is still pending.
"There's nothing we can say at this time," Egeler said. "We're going to just have to rely on what the investigation shows."
Cassin has not yet issued Lee's the autopsy report.
"It all takes about two months," Cassin said. "It's a pretty standard amount."
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