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STEPHAN R. PASSALACQUA |
 600 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE, RM 212-J SANTA ROSA, CA 95403 (707) 565-2311 |
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/18/07
| Contact person(s): | Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 |
Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California
2006 JAIL DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES
District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that his office has completed its review of the in custody jail death of Moses McDowall on November 6, 2006.
Based on all the available evidence, the District Attorney concluded that Mr. McDowall died of ethanol withdrawal syndrome, as a result of chronic alcoholism, which is a natural cause of death. Additionally, the District Attorney found no evidence of criminal negligence on the part of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.
On November 5, 2006 at 2 p.m., Mr. McDowall was at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville in possession of an open container of alcohol. He was arrested on two outstanding warrants for his arrest from San Francisco; one for a felony violation of transporting or distributing marijuana, and the other for a misdemeanor violation of public nuisance. Mr. McDowall told deputies that he was a chronic alcoholic and had consumed 1.75 liters of whisky before his arrest. Mr. McDowall was housed in detoxification cells from his admission until 3:30 a.m. on November 6, 2006, where he was checked every fifteen minutes. Before he was moved out of detoxification, staff reported favorably on his condition. Shortly after 6 a.m., however, Mr. McDowall was found unresponsive in his cell. Lifesaving efforts were begun by medical personnel and then paramedics and fire personnel, to no avail. He was pronounced dead at 8:26 a.m.
After a complete autopsy and considering the scene circumstances and Mr. McDowall’s clinical history, Dr. Kelly Arthur, M.D., of Forensic Medical Group, Inc. determined he died of ethanal withdrawal syndrome, as a result of chronic alcoholism, which is a natural cause of death.
According to the county-wide Employee Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, the District Attorney’s Office participated in the joint investigation. We received the reports of investigation on April 13, 2007.