James Chasse's death ruled accidental

James Chasse's death ruled accidental

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Story Published: Sep 22, 2006 at 3:02 PM PST

Story Updated: Apr 14, 2009 at 2:09 PM PST

By KATU Web Staff

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PORTLAND, Ore. - The death of a man who died while in police custody has been ruled accidental by the Oregon State Medical Examiner.

James Chasse, 42, died Sept. 17 while police were transporting him to a local hospital.

According to the ruling from the Medical Examiner, he died as a result of a broad-based, blunt force trauma to his chest. The toxicology results were negative.

When KATU News contacted the Medical Examiner's office for further information, they said the trauma included broken and crushed ribs, which restricted Chasse's ability to breathe.

How Chasse ended up with those types of injuries remains unknown, but as earlier stated, his death has been ruled accidental. 

Earlier this week, three witnesses filed complaints, saying the two officers and a deputy who took Chasse into custody used too much force when arresting him. An investigation is under way and the case is expected to go to a Grand Jury next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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