An investigation led by The Associated Press has found that the practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the nation over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts.

Demetrio Jackson was desperate for medical help when the paramedics arrived.

The 43-year-old was surrounded by police who arrested him after responding to a trespassing call in a Wisconsin parking lot. Officers had shocked him with a Taser and pinned him as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe. Now he sat on the ground with hands cuffed behind his back and took in oxygen through a mask.

Then, officers moved Jackson to his side so a medic could inject him with a potent knockout drug.

“It’s just going to calm you down,” an officer assured Jackson. Within minutes, Jackson’s heart stopped. He never regained consciousness and died two weeks later.

    • @zik
      19•7 months ago

      …because based on the facts it is homicide.

    • @CoreidanEnglish
      -11•7 months ago

      You mean murder?

      • @ripcord
        9•7 months ago

        I’m curious what distinction you think you’re making here

        • @CoreidanEnglish
          -15•7 months ago

          Homocide and murder are two different words with different meanings. Is that enough distinction for you or do you need more help?

          • @stoly
            7•7 months ago

            You’re being purposefully obtuse. Murder is the lay term and homicide is a technical term.

            • swim
              2•7 months ago

              A small amount of education on the law as it relates to murder and homicide will disabuse you of this naiveté.

          • swim
            3•7 months ago

            This is true, and a foundational distinction in law, which makes it unfortunate that so many folks think you’re being pedantic due to being confident in their knowledge base on subjects they aren’t educated in.