from 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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from Birmingham Mail
18th November 2009

A Birmingham GP described how she suspected a father-of-three had signs of “mental illness” three days before he died in police custody, an inquest heard.

Michael Powell, aged 38, was taken to Thornhill Road Police Station, in Handsworth, after he was arrested for causing a disturbance outside his home. He died while in the police cells on 7th September 2003.

GP Prema Iyengar told the inquest at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall she had been Mr Powell’s doctor for more than 15 years.

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from BBC West Midlands
4th November 2009

A man with a history of mental illness died in police custody after being hit by a patrol car that was called to his home, a jury inquest was told.

Michael Powell, 38, was also hit with a baton before being restrained by officers in Birmingham, in September 2003, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall heard.

He was taken to Thornhill Road police station where he stopped breathing. But the inquest heard medical experts do not think Mr Powell died as a result of being hit by the car or baton.

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