BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Kern County sheriff’s deputies won’t face criminal charges over the death of a man they beat during an arrest.
District Attorney Lisa Green announced Friday that investigators found law enforcement used reasonable force and a coroner has ruled that 33-year-old David Silva died of heart disease.
Deputies confronted Silva last May while answering a report of an intoxicated man. The 260-pound Silva was struck with batons and bitten by a police dog during a protracted struggle.
He later complained of breathing problems and died.
The coroner found alcohol, amphetamine, methamphetamine and a muscle relaxant in his system.
The family is suing the county over Silva’s death.
Silva’s brother, Christopher Silva, told the Bakersfield Californian (https://bit.ly/Qe6FWv ) that he doesn’t believe the arrest account provided by authorities.
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