PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A prosecutor’s review has found no improper conduct by Portland police in the July 10 cardiac arrest death of a man who ran from police.
After reviewing police reports in the death of Darris Eugene Johnson, prosecutor Bob Leineweber of the Multnomah County district attorney’s office concludes the two arresting officers “showed professional diligence and care.”
The 26-year-old man was a passenger in a car that was pulled over because of a faulty tail light. He was wanted on a parole violation warrant. Police say he ran two to three blocks and jumped over three fences. The Oregon state medical examiner’s office says Johnson had a significantly enlarged heart. A urine drug screen showed methampetamine and cannabinoids in his system.
The Oregonian says (http://bit.ly/qNNH58) Johnson complained of shortness of breath but the officers thought he was exhausted by the chase. The officers stopped en route to the precinct to check Johnson and found no pulse. They called for an ambulance and began CPR.
