SPOKANE — The Spokane County medical examiner’s office has listed the cause of death for a jail inmate as homicide.
The office said Wednesday that the primary cause of death for 33-year-old Christopher J. Parker was a methamphetamine overdose and complications from diabetes. But restraints also contributed to his death, and KREM reports that led to the homicide classification.
Officers used a Taser on Parker and put him in restraints because he became combative at the jail.
He had called 911 in February for help with a drug overdose. Fire department paramedics determined he didn’t need to go to a hospital and instead turned him over to police. He was wanted on a warrant.
Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the crew acted correctly but training for drug-related calls has improved.
