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When I read THIS story, I was confused. Just because some retard had a fit and choked to death, why would the arresting officers be under suspicion of murder? 
Man's death ruled a homicide
Medical emergency as deputies attempted to force him from theater
The death of a New Market man while in the custody of off-duty sheriff's deputies at a Frederick movie theater has been ruled a homicide, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Robert Ethan Saylor, 26, died from asphyxia, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. The circumstances of his death are still under investigation, said Cpl. Jennifer Bailey, sheriff's office spokeswoman.
Saylor died Jan. 12 after he was forcibly removed from the Regal Cinemas Westview Stadium 16 when employees said he refused to either leave the theater or buy another ticket after having already seen a movie.
Saylor, who had Down syndrome, resisted the deputies and was briefly handcuffed, according to the sheriff's office, which called the circumstances leading up to his death a medical emergency. The deputies removed the handcuffs from Saylor and emergency medical personnel were called. Saylor was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The deputies who were with Saylor at the time of his death, identified as Lt. Scott Jewell, Sgt. Rich Rochford and Deputy First Class James Harris, continue to work their normal assignments while the case is being investigated. The deputies were working secondary employment with Hill Management at the Westview Promenade.
The Frederick News-Post sought comment from Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, who referred inquiries to Bailey.
Bailey said the decision to keep the deputies in their current duties stems from the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of Saylor's death. She said the case differs significantly from an officer-involved shooting, in which the connection between the actions of deputies and the result is clear.
"In this case, the investigators are still working to determine what caused Mr. Saylor's death," Bailey said. She said the decision could eventually be made to put the deputies on administrative leave as more information becomes available.
The deputies exercised their rights under the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights and have not made statements in the case, Bailey said.
Cpl. Gregg Warner, the sheriff's office's lead investigator in the case, said he is waiting for the final report from the medical examiner for more details about exactly how Saylor died. He said so far the agency has been given only the cause and manner of death.
"We want to make sure we have that before any more statements could be made," Warner said. "We have formally requested it, but there is a process they have to go through."
Bailey said investigators were not willing to release information about the investigation, including whether Saylor's caretaker or anyone else in the theater witnessed his death.
When the investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded to the state's attorney's office for review, Bailey said.
Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith said his office will review the investigation report and determine if more evidence is needed from the sheriff's office. Once that determination is made, Smith said his office could bring the case before a grand jury or decide to either move forward with charges or issue a letter of declination.
"If there is sufficient evidence there, we will make that decision and notify the sheriff's office," Smith said.
Medical emergency as deputies attempted to force him from theater
The death of a New Market man while in the custody of off-duty sheriff's deputies at a Frederick movie theater has been ruled a homicide, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Robert Ethan Saylor, 26, died from asphyxia, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. The circumstances of his death are still under investigation, said Cpl. Jennifer Bailey, sheriff's office spokeswoman.
Saylor died Jan. 12 after he was forcibly removed from the Regal Cinemas Westview Stadium 16 when employees said he refused to either leave the theater or buy another ticket after having already seen a movie.
Saylor, who had Down syndrome, resisted the deputies and was briefly handcuffed, according to the sheriff's office, which called the circumstances leading up to his death a medical emergency. The deputies removed the handcuffs from Saylor and emergency medical personnel were called. Saylor was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The deputies who were with Saylor at the time of his death, identified as Lt. Scott Jewell, Sgt. Rich Rochford and Deputy First Class James Harris, continue to work their normal assignments while the case is being investigated. The deputies were working secondary employment with Hill Management at the Westview Promenade.
The Frederick News-Post sought comment from Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, who referred inquiries to Bailey.
Bailey said the decision to keep the deputies in their current duties stems from the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of Saylor's death. She said the case differs significantly from an officer-involved shooting, in which the connection between the actions of deputies and the result is clear.
"In this case, the investigators are still working to determine what caused Mr. Saylor's death," Bailey said. She said the decision could eventually be made to put the deputies on administrative leave as more information becomes available.
The deputies exercised their rights under the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights and have not made statements in the case, Bailey said.
Cpl. Gregg Warner, the sheriff's office's lead investigator in the case, said he is waiting for the final report from the medical examiner for more details about exactly how Saylor died. He said so far the agency has been given only the cause and manner of death.
"We want to make sure we have that before any more statements could be made," Warner said. "We have formally requested it, but there is a process they have to go through."
Bailey said investigators were not willing to release information about the investigation, including whether Saylor's caretaker or anyone else in the theater witnessed his death.
When the investigation is complete, the results will be forwarded to the state's attorney's office for review, Bailey said.
Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith said his office will review the investigation report and determine if more evidence is needed from the sheriff's office. Once that determination is made, Smith said his office could bring the case before a grand jury or decide to either move forward with charges or issue a letter of declination.
"If there is sufficient evidence there, we will make that decision and notify the sheriff's office," Smith said.
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