Tuesday, May 11, 1999
Jail cleared in inmate's death
Man collapsed during struggle with guards
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — A Kenton County inmate who collapsed in his cell after struggling with jailers died of a heart attack, not excessive force, authorities concluded Monday after a three-month investigation.
“During the struggle to restrain (Michael) Labmeier, there does not appear to have been excessive force used,” Kenton County police Detec tive Wayne Wallace wrote in his report. “In fact, the force used by the deputies was that which was necessary to control and protect Mr. Labmeier and to protect themselves.”
Mr. Labmeier was pronounced dead Jan. 29 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North.
Preliminary autopsy results showed the College Hill resident — about 5 feet 11 inches and 300 pounds — had heart and lung problems, and experienced a heart attack during “a violent struggle.”
“I think Detective Wayne Wallace did an excellent investigation, and I think he's created a very factual report,” county police Chief Mike Browning. He said the Kenton Commonwealth Attorney's office concluded there was no criminal wrongdoing.
“As far as we're concerned, (the investigation is) closed,” Chief Browning said.
The jail is considering possible disciplinary action against Deputy Doug Lankheit.
Mr. Lankheit wrote one report on the day of the incident indicating Mr. Labmeier was “tazed,” meaning a stunning device was used on him. However, he told investigators he later threw away his initial incident report and wrote a new one with no mention of such an incident, “to correct spelling errors and to more accurately reflect what he did, as opposed to what he thought others did,” the report said.
Mr. Labmeier collapsed as deputies tried to subdue him for a trip to St. Elizabeth South's mental health unit for an evaluation.
Medical records indicated the inmate was “confused, agitated (and) showing aggressive behavior” before his struggle with jailers, the detective's report said.
Jail employees told investigators he had removed everything except his underwear and was yelling that Satan was trying to get into his cell.
“As sad as it was, I'm pleased that the investigation vindicates us,” Jailer Terry Carl said.
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