Mikey Inquest Updates

4WardEverUK

Police car ran over Birmingham man

Police car ran over Birmingham manfrom Birmingham Post
6th November 2009

A witness has described seeing a police car run into a man who later died in police custody.

Michael Powell died six years ago in a prison cell at Thornhill Road Police Station after being arrested for smashing windows and violent behaviour outside his family home in Lozells.

His family have maintained that heavy-handed behaviour on the part of police prior to his death was racially motivated.

Speaking at an inquest into his death Ernest Walters, a family friend who was dating Mr Powell’s sister, said he saw the 38-year-old standing in front of a police car when it revved its engine and ran him over, causing him to be flipped up on to the bonnet of the car before rolling off the roof.

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4WardEverUK

Update: Man ‘died in police custody’

Tippa Naphtali - Trafalgar Squarefrom 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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4WardEverUK

Update: Inquest opens into custody death

Juryfrom Birmingham Post
4th November 2009

A Birmingham man with a history of mental illness died in police custody after being struck by a patrol car called to his home, an inquest jury has been told.

The panel heard that Michael Powell, 38, was also struck with a baton before being restrained and taken to Thornhill Road police station in September 2003. Opening the inquest, which is expected to last for six weeks, the assistant deputy coroner for Birmingham, Stephen Campbell, said medical experts did not believe that Mr Powell died as a result of being struck by the car or the baton.

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