Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A grand jury has determined that there will be no charges leveled in the
death of a Justice Center inmate in 2010.
In April, the New York State Commission of Correction issued a report concluding that Raul Pinet Jr. died of “Asphyxia during restraint. Homicide.”
According to the report, a “spit hood” around Pinet’s head became displaced and he could not breathe properly. In addition, deputies placed him in a “figure-four” restraint position while periodically kneeling on the suspect’s neck and back over his lungs.
The board also rejected the conclusion that Pinet died from “excited delirium.”
During a Thursday press conference, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick said that the grand jury investigation determined that criminal charges should not be brought against the officers or medical personnel involved in the incident that led to Pinet’s death.
The grand jury said that the officers reacted “reasonably” in dealing with Pinet, who had been arrested on a burglary charge and was high on drugs when he arrived at the county jail.
