Federal Investigation into In-Custody Death

Tools

by Michele McCormack

Story Created: Oct 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 11, 2012

MILWAUKEE---The FBI announced Wednesday that it has launched a civil rights investigation into the death of 22-year-old Derek Williams.

Special Agent in Charge, Teresa Carlson, says they have heard community concerns.

"The reclassification from natural to homicide deserves a second look," Carlson said.

In July of 2011 Williams collapsed and died in the back of a sqaud car. He had been involved in a chase with police as part of a robbery investigation.

Initially, an assistant medical examiner took a detective's word that the death was "without incident."

Squad car video shows Williams struggling to breathe and that police did not respond right away when he asked for help.

There will also be a separate state inquest.

Poll

Did you plant your Garden Yet?

  • Yes
  • No