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Larry Fedja

Police criticised over death of former cage fighter

Jacob Michael - CCTV Footageoriginally by: The Guardian  
published: 26 October 2012

A coroner has criticised a police force after “serious deficiencies” in procedures were exposed by an inquest into the death of a former cage fighter who was pepper-sprayed by officers. Jacob Michael, 25, died by misadventure as a result of “cocaine induced excited delirium”, an inquest jury found.

But the jury also found that a catalogue of police failures may have contributed to his death.

Speaking after the inquest, Michael’s mother, Christine Michael, said she was disappointed by the verdict and said she still held the police responsible.

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Larry Fedja

Report calls for effective learning from inquests

Police Cell Victimsprovided by: INQUEST
published: 1 October 2012

A week after the appointment of the Chief Coroner, HHJ Peter Thornton, and at a time of renewed interest in the coronial system following the publication of the report of the Hillsborough panel, INQUEST launches a groundbreaking new report ‘Learning from Death in Custody Inquests: A New Framework for Action and Accountability’.

The report highlights the serious flaws in the learning process following an inquest into a death in custody or following contact with state agents.

In the report INQUEST’s co-directors Deborah Coles and Helen Shaw argue that the absence of a mechanism to capture and act upon the rich seam of data available from well conducted and costly inquests leads to unnecessary further loss of life.

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4WardEverUK

We remember Mikey, 9 years on…

9th Vigil for Mikey - 2012The Powell family have held a candlelight vigil in memory of Mikey Powell who was killed in police custody in 2003. The vigil took place outside the Thornhill Road police station, Birmingham, West Midlands.

See more photographs from the event >

Mikey’s cousin, Tippa Naphtali said; “This years candlelit vigil for Mikey’s 9th memorial was attended by family and friends from the local region and also further out. Special thanks to the Family of Anthony Grainger (Manchester) and Ken Fero (Migrant Media) who travelled from Manchester and London Respectively.

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