Obesity and drugs caused death: inquest
October 12, 2006 - 4:51PM
A man's death after he was subdued by police with capsicum spray may have been partly caused by his obesity and illicit drug use, a Brisbane inquest has been told.
A state coronial inquest resumed into the death of Michael John Eddy, 26, who died in the early hours of February 20 last year in a Highgate Hill unit in Brisbane's inner-south.
Mr Eddy allegedly became aggressive when police arrived at the unit to discuss possible disqualified driving and dangerous driving charges.
It is believed he had been involved in a police chase only hours earlier.
Mr Eddy continued to struggle with three policemen even after being doused with capsicum spray and handcuffed, before collapsing and dying.
Forensic pathologist Professor Stephen Cordner told the inquest in the Brisbane Magistrates Court that autopsy results did not conclusively support accusations of excessive brutality despite bruising on Mr Eddy's neck and back.
Prof Cordner testified, there were a combination of factors possibly contributing to Mr Eddy's death, including illicit drug use and his obesity.
"About two-thirds to three-quarters of people in these circumstances have metamphetamine or cocaine ... these types of drugs present," Prof Cordner said.
"I would attach significance to amphetamines in his system ... the stress on the heart by sensitising the heart muscle to the raised level of adrenalin ... is usually associated with these types of deaths."
Prof Cordner said together with the fight and Mr Eddy's large weight, "things start to interact together to lead to unconsciousness or death".
However, under cross-examination he said the bruising was consistent with police executing a "sleeper hold very firmly", a "choker hold" or even both.
"(They are not) small bruises or trivial bruises," Prof Cordner said.
State coroner Michael Barnes closed the inquest and will release its findings at a later date.
Obesity plus drugs equaled death?