Is this the case that Eric Garner's grand jury strategy was based on?

[justiceischeap]

Grand jury rejects criminal charges in death of Robert Saylor, man with Down syndrome

By Theresa Vargas March 22, 2013

In January, he and an aide watched “Zero Dark Thirty” at a Frederick movie theater. As soon as it ended, Saylor wanted to watch it again and would not leave the theater.

Officials say this is what happened next: The aide, an 18-year-old woman, was getting the car when a theater employee called the three off-duty officers, who were working security at the Westview Promenade shopping center, and told them that Saylor needed to buy another ticket or leave.

Smith, who would not go into great detail about the investigation, said that when the deputies confronted Saylor, he verbally and physically resisted their attempts to remove him. He said they restrained him using three sets of handcuffs because of his large size. Smith said that when the deputies placed Smith on his stomach, it was for “one to two minutes” and that once Saylor began showing signs of distress, the deputies removed the handcuffs, called for help and administered CPR.

{snip}

In February, the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore ruled Saylor’s death a homicide as a result of asphyxia. On Friday, Smith said that the report indicated that Down syndrome and obesity made Saylor more susceptible to breathing problems.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/no-criminal-charges-in-death-of-robert-saylor-frederick-man-with-down-syndrome/2013/03/22/3a723b6c-932f-11e2-8ea1-956c94b6b5b9_story.html

Smith is the Frederick County State’s Attorney

I don't know how Down syndrome can make someone more susceptible to breathing problems... as far as his obesity, if that is going to be used by LEO as a reason that people die in their custody, then police officer's need to be trained not to place obese people on their stomachs--problem solved, right? No more homicides by asphyxia in the hands of law enforcement.

[marym625]

1. I doubt it

Main cause of death was the choke hold and compression to his neck.

More than likely it was the bullshit "seatbelt" hold

[s-cubed]

2. I have a Down's syndrome nephew.

He has had innumerable bouts of breathing difficulties. People with Down's often have many physical problems as well, for example, heart abnormalities.