LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reports show that Los Angeles police officers ignored complaints by a man who said he couldn’t breathe and later died in custody.
The Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/1pTC8fe ) says two reports recently made public indicate that officers didn’t take Jorge Azucena seriously when he repeatedly claimed he couldn’t breathe following his arrest after a traffic chase last September.
A sergeant reportedly told him: “You can talk, so you can breathe.”
The reports indicate that Azucena shouted for help, collapsed and had to be dragged from the police car, and became unconscious in a cell.
Coroner’s officials say his death probably was caused by an asthma attack.
Eleven LAPD officers and sergeants remain under investigation in the case. Another sergeant recently retired.
The Times says Police Chief Charlie Beck declined to comment.
