James Philip Chasse Jr. died from broad blunt-force trauma to the chest while in police custody Sept. 17. The state medical examiner said his rib fractures, which impaired his breathing, occurred early in his encounter with police. Officers thought he either was on drugs or had a mental disorder. They approached him after they suspected he was urinating in the street in the Pearl District. He ran, and they ran after him. Police said one officer pushed him to the ground; witnesses said the officers forcefully knocked him down, fell on him, then kicked him in the chest repeatedly and used a Taser on him. Police are continuing to investigate. The Multnomah County district attorney’s office plans to present the case to a grand jury, starting Tuesday.
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- steve 9-29-2006 9:37 pm