Nick Christie - Death by being pepper sprayed in a restraint chair. And no accountability. [View all]

[AnotherMcIntosh]

A retired boilermaker visiting Florida, who suffered from heart disease as well as emphysema and who needed medication to control depression and other medical problems, became confused at the hotel where he was staying and was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing.

Among other things, the deputies from the local Sheriff's department transported him to a jail, disregarded his pleas regarding his heart condition and his inability to breath properly, sprayed him directly eight times with pepper spray while he was in his jail cell, stripped him naked, strapped him into a restraining chair (a chair which immobilizes inmates by restraining them at both wrists, both ankles, and across the chest), placed a hood designated a "spit mask" over his face, sprayed him with pepper spray at least two more times after he had been strapped to the chair, and used the mask to keep the pepper spray in the close proximity to his nose and mouth to ensure that he would continue to inhale it for the full six hours while he was in the restraint chair.

Some might consider this to be torture.

Ultimately, Nick Christie was taken to a hospital where he died two days later.

The Sheriff's office conducted an internal investigation of Christie's death and found no wrongdoing on the part of any Lee County deputy. None of the deputies involved with Christie's death were even disciplined in any way. The Florida State's Attorney was informed of the death, reviewed the report from the Sheriff's office, and declined to press any criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney has apparently not shown any interest in the case and apparently has not responded to a request for information regarding the death and his reaction.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/11/jail-abuse-nick-christie-pepper-spray-florida_n_1192412.html

For anyone who believes there is no signifigant reason to be concerned about potential police abuse (including indefinite detention) based on the reasoning that the police will be subject to supervision by reasonable higher-ups, or will otherwise be held accountable when they overstep the line, this is an example of why the police and other public officials should be subject to the law and the court system.

If you're traveling to Florida, these deputies can still be on the job.