BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- The U.S. Justice Department has cleared Hamilton police of any wrongdoing in case of Russell Rodgers, whose death in August 1997 while in police custody sparked a brick-throwing disturbance. Police Chief Simon A. Fluckiger said Monday the city had received a letter from the Justice Department's civil rights division stating "there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation that the victim suffered physical abuse or that the request for medical attention was denied."
The letter concluded that after a careful review of the investigative reports, the Justice Department planned no further action and the matter should be considered closed, Chief Fluckiger said. City Manager Hal Shepherd said Monday the Justice Department's report vindicates the officers involved in the arrest.
"The disturbance that occurred was totally unnecessary because he (Mr. Rodgers) was not beaten," Mr. Shepherd said.
The city manager had requested the independent investigation after relatives, friends and neighbors of Mr. Rodgers claimed police beat him and did not seek medical help fast enough after they suspected he had swallowed crack cocaine.
Mr. Rodgers, a 25-year-old Hamilton resident, died Aug. 7 after being on life support for a week. Police had stopped him for a traffic violation on Aug. 1, and arrested him after discovering he had an outstanding warrant on a drug charge.
According to the police report, Mr. Rodgers spit out two small pieces of crack cocaine, but denied he had swallowed any. After two hours in a holding cell, he begin suffering seizures and was transported to the hospital where he later died.
A subsequent preliminary report from the Butler County Coroner's office said Mr. Rodgers died from swallowing a large amount of cocaine. The report also noted there were no marks on the body that indicated physical abuse.
An internal police investigation cleared officers. On the night of Mr. Rodgers' death, a community meeting was held at Payne Chapel Church.
Following the meeting, a crowd estimated at 50 to 100 gathered across from the police station. Some threw rocks at passing cars and cruisers. Five people suffered minor injuries. There were no arrests.
