Month: November 2009

4WardEverUK

Benjamin Zephaniah to attend cousins inquest

Dr Benjamin ZephaniahFamily announcement:
29th November 2009

Poet and writer, Dr Benjamin Zephaniah, took time out of his hectic schedule to attend the inquest of his cousin Mikey Powell, who died whilst in police custody.

Zephaniah will be attending on Wednesday 2nd December 2009, and invites the press and other interested parties to attend a press conference with himself and other members of the family and legal team.

The inquest into the death of Mikey Powell commenced on 4th November 2009. It is scheduled to run until 16th December 2009. at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands.

Mikey was detained outside his mother’s house in the Lozells area of Birmingham on 7th September 2003.

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Larry Fedja

Expert tells of ‘critical event’ in police van

Police watchfrom Birmingham Mail
25th November 2009

A man died in police custody in Birmingham because of the way he was restrained, a medical expert told an inquest jury.

Officers used CS gas and physical force to control father-of-three Michael Powell after he smashed windows at his mother’s home in Wilton Street, Lozells, in September 2003. He was eventually handcuffed, bundled into a van and taken to Thornhill Road police station in Handsworth where he died after suffering a cardiac arrest. It is not known if Mr Powell, 38, was forced to lie face down or on his side in the police van.

Forensic pathologist Jack Crane said a “critical” event had happened in the van which caused Mr Powell to die of positional asphyxia – a condition which occurs when someone’s position prevents them from breathing adequately.

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Larry Fedja

‘Not enough’ medical evidence claims health specialist at custody death inquest

Female Medical Forensic Doctorfrom Birmingham Mail
24th November 2009

A health specialist said “not enough” medical evidence was collected after a Birmingham man died in police custody, an inquest jury heard.

Michael Powell, aged 38, was taken to Thornhill Road Police Station, in Handsworth, after he was arrested for causing a disturbance outside his Lozells home. He died while in police cells on September 6, 2003.

The father-of-three had carried the sickle cell trait, a genetic blood disorder which, when coupled with severe physical exertion, can lead to sudden death.

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