Jacob Michael’s death in police custody

A Home Office pathologist concluded that Jacob Michael, who feared for his life at the hands of the police, died in custody on 22nd August of ‘excited delirium’, a term not even recognised by the Department for Health.

According to witnesses, Michael was repeatedly hit with police batons after fleeing his home when two officers from Cheshire constabulary entered his bedroom and released pepper spray into his face. He was later restrained by 11 officers which resulted in broken ribs and torn liver.

Michael's father stated in an interview with the Guardian newspaper that,

As far as I'm concerned, if the police didn't treat my lad the way they did, he would be here today. He did nothing wrong, he hadn't committed any crime, he rang the police for help. We're still waking up crying every day. The pain is there 24 hours.

Helen Shaw, co-director of the charity Inquest, which campaigns for justice in death in custody cases, said,

Where the use of force may be a contributing factor in the death, there is frequently an attempt to obscure that contribution, often by relying upon completely unfounded or disputed physiological theories like excited delirium.

She added,

We have seen evidence presented at inquests which appears to be designed to shift the focus on to anything but the use of force, to deflect attention away from the acts or omissions of those involved and to attempt to blame the victim for their own death as a result of their supposed pathological condition.

First, we had Smiley Culture ‘stabbing himself’, then Demetre Fraser, ‘throwing himself off a tower block’ and now Jacob Michael, dying of an illness, ‘excited delirium’ that is not recognised by the medical profession.

The calls for a Public inquiry into deaths in police custody are growing louder. Again we feel for Michael’s parents and family. Together we must demand accountability.

Simon Woolley