We continue to explore the repercussions of the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the global protests that followed it, spearheaded by #Black Lives Matter.

Even if justice, however defined, in the George Floyd case is served, it will still represent the exception rather than the rule.  Moreover, as highlighted for the previous show, even if justice is remote in the USA, in the UK it is nigh on impossible.  In addition, this focus on deaths in custody is igniting painful memories for many the families of those that have died unjustly at the hands of the state.

One of the challenging aspects of this period is that whilst many are “saying the name” of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor Atatiana Jefferson and others they have never uttered Kevin Clarke, Nuno Cardoso or Annabella Landsberg.  Similarly, some of the protests in London have attracted greater numbers than attend the annual procession organised by the United Friends and Family Campaign on the final Saturday in October every year:

“The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC), is a coalition of those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody, supports others in similar situations. Established in 1997 initially as a network of Black families over recent years the group has expanded and now includes the families and friends of people from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds.” (https://uffcampaign.org/)

So at the very least, we should expect those that have, in recent days, been amongst the throng declaring “Black Lives Matter” to lend their voices and their bodies to this year’s procession.  Whereas the Floyd family can have multi-millionaire ex-boxer Floyd Mayweather to pay for the funeral expenses (which we can applaud), most families in comparable circumstances struggle with funeral, legal and all other kinds of costs. (1)  This seems particularly cruel given that in defending their case, the state deploys its limitless resources to defend their case – paid for by our taxes.

This families’ resourcing issue was something identified by the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament (iNAPP) since its inception in 2011, later enshrined the Law and Justice section of its 2015 Manifesto:

“Establish community legal defence teams, including training grassroots ‘lawyers’ to promote nationwide legal consciousness and literacy and provide expertise and resources for community defence campaigns, in the face of community crises e.g. ‘Black Deaths in Custody’.” (2)

This was a theme (among a raft of recommendations) highlighted in Rt. Hon. Dame Elish Angiolini’s 2017 Report of the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody (“The Angiolini Report”):

“In order to facilitate their effective participation in the whole process there should be access for the immediate family to free, non-means tested legal advice, assistance and representation from the earliest point following the death and throughout the pre-inquest hearings and Inquest hearing.” (3)

While in its response “the Government recognises that some improvements must be made,” tangible changes have been thin on the ground.  (4)  However, the scandal of the Windrush compensation scheme, for example where the financial offers have been “insulting” and only 3% of claimants have so far received anything, should caution against any reliance on Boris Johnson, Priti Patel and the gang. In fact, they have proven to be more interested in prosecuting phony “culture wars” over statues, old sit-coms and the like. (5)

Emphasising the need for self-determination, as well as it’s practice, National Memorial Family Fund was launched in September 2015, in remembrance of Mikey Powell who died on 7 September 2003 after being arrested by police in Birmingham and acknowledging the work and campaigning of the late Pauline Campbell. Tippa Naphtali, cousin of Mikey Powell and founder of 4wardeveruk.org said:

“This fund will make a real difference for families and their campaign groups that need financial support during the often long and drawn out struggles for justice that can last for decades.

The needs of affected families and children often get lost in the equally important work of campaigning and lobbying of state institutions. We want to change that with a permanent national fund set up specifically for their needs” (https://www.memorialfamilyfund.org.uk/donations)

Donations can be made here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=tA5dJ7_Kq74qtYZkqj8T9UccEA_1SOMvzdDGLASOsPni760i8gINiA7fgLHfTuuIaWPtiG&country.x=GB&locale.x=GB

Financial support though is just one aspect.  Clearly there is a need to develop a “national conversation” around deaths in custody, one that is not driven by state narratives that invariably vilify the victim.  One way this narrative is being challenged is through the current petition for Channel 4 (as part of its “innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo” remit) to air the award-winning 2001 documentary Injustice, about the struggle of black mothers and sisters to get justice for their loved ones killed in police custody (https://www.change.org/p/channel-4-channel-4-screen-injustice-film-about-black-deaths-in-uk-police-custody?recruiter=7027740&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=144efca0-c572-012f-31cc-4040496dcccb). The film makers are also crowdfunding for the Injustice follow-up, UV (https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/injustice—uv-1).

Films are just one part of the equation.  Afrikan media in general, Saturday Schools, online and print media all need to part of the grounding of our community around this issue, including knowing the names.  So we can indeed “say their names,” rather than simply quote statistics, we list below the Afrikan victims (for we are Afrika Speaks, not BAME Speaks) of fatal state violence, that we are aware of, starting with Bro. David Oluwale in 1969.  The format and much of the earlier information comes from the Institute of Race Relations’ 1991 publication Deadly Silence: Black Deaths in Custody.  Beyond that we have tried to gather information from as many sources as possible. (6)

Black Deaths in Custody

Deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody. We list below those deaths of black and minority ethnic individuals which have taken place in prison, police or hospital custody and which have given rise to concern because of unexplained or mysterious circumstances surrounding those deaths and / or allegations of maltreatment, dereliction of duty or brutality.

Each entry in this list contains the following details: Name, Age, Date of death, Category code , Circumstances surrounding death, Inquest verdict. Catgeory codes: Po: Police; Pr: Prisons, Young Offenders Institutes, Remand Centres, Removal Centres; Ps: Psychiatric Hospitals, Ho: Hospital Am: Ambulance.

• David Oluwale, 38, 16/04/69, Po, David Oluwale is the first of 100′s of Black people to die in police custody in Britain. April 16, 1969, is the last time David is seen alive. He is in the company of Ellerker and Kitching. They find him asleep in the doorway of the Bridal House shop at about 3 a.m. Ellerker and Kitching attack him with their truncheon. Later, David is found dead in the River Aire.
• Aseta Sims, 19, 13/05/71, Po, Died in a police station in Hackney, Inquest verdict death by misadventure
• Michael Ferreira, 19, 10/12/78, Po, Died in Stoke Newington police station after being stabbed in a racist attack, Inquest verdict unknown
• Henry Floyd, 26, 23/08/79, Po, Found hanged in cell of West End Central police station, Suicide
• John Eshiett, 26, 24/10/79, Pr, Died in Brixton prison while awaiting trial, Inquest verdict unknown
• Richard Campbell, 19, 31/03/80, Pr, Died of de-hydration after being force fed and large quantities of drugs in Ashford remand centre, Death by self neglect because of inadequate medical facilities
• Leroy Gordon, 20, August 80, Po, Died in Pershore police station after crowd suspecting him of robbery-sat on him, Asphyxiation due to compression of the neck.
• Winston Rose, 27, 13/07/81, Po, Died in police van after being restrained by police officers taking him to psychiatric hospital, Unlawful killing at the hands of the police
• Paul Worrell, 21, 12/01/82, Pr, A suicide risk; was found hanged in Brixton prison after obtaining the materials to kill himself, Open verdict
• Franklyn Lee, 20, September 1982, Po, According to the police died of injuries sustained during a burglary, Inquest verdict unknown
• Simeon Collins, 17, 10/12/82, Po, Died of acute injuries to liver and spleen day after being arrested by City Road police, Accidental death
• Colin Roach, 21, 12/01/83, Po, Died of gunshot wound sustained while he was in Stoke Newington police station, Suicide
• James Ruddock, 44, 14/02/83, Po, Died after being denied treatment for diabetes and sickle cell for 12 hours in Kensington police station, Natural causes attributed to self neglect
• Nicholas Ofusu, 31, 06/05/83, Po, Death by misadventure
• Mathew Paul, 19, 06/05/83, Po, Found hanged in Leman Street police station, Suicide due to lack of care
• Michael Dean Martin, 22, 06/07/84, Ps. Accidental death aggravated by lack of care
• Curtis Marsh, 27, 21/10/84, Pr, A suicide risk who hanged himself inside Brixton prison, Suicide
• Harold Roberts, Age unknown, 11/03/85, Ps, Suicide
• James Hall, Age unknown, 30/03/85, Po, Inquest verdict unknown
• John Mikkelson, 34, 15/07/85, Po, Unlawful killing; after police appeal verdict changed to death by misadventure
• Cynthia Jarrett, Age unknown, 06/10/85, Po, Accidental death
• Keith Hicks, 34, 1986, Pr, A schizophrenic epileptic who died in Brixton prison, Misadventure
• Anthony Lloyd Powell, 18, February 1986, Ps, A schizophrenic, died after being given an injection of modecate, Open verdict
• Stephen Bogle, 27, 12/08/86, Po, Natural causes aggravated by lack of care.
• Donald Chambers, 29, 11/09/86, Ps, Death by misadventure
• Caiphas Lemard, Age unknown, 08/10/86, Po, Non-dependent drug abuse aggravated by lack of care
• Clinton McCurbin, 23, 20/02/87, Po, Death by misadventure
• Nenneh Jalloh, Age unknown, 24/04/87, Po, Death by misadventure
• Anachu Osita, 28, 18/05/87, Pr, Natural causes aggravated by lack of care
• John Ryan, 24, July 1987, Pr, Died in Winson Green hospital, 3 days after being admitted suffering from dehydration, had been seen drinking his own urine, Death by lack of care
• Terence Brown, 35, August 1987, Ps, Open verdict
• Anthony Mahony, 24, 19/08/87, Pr, Died almost naked in a strip cell in Brixton prison; had a history of mental illness, Natural causes aggravated by lack of care
• Mark Ventour, Age unknown, 24/09/87, Po, Asphyxia caused by chewing gum in throat
• Joseph Palombella, 40, October 1987, Po, Inquest verdict unknown
• Femi Adelaja, 36, February 19, Pr, Died of a heart condition in a cell at Old Bailey; was denied treatment for sarcoidosis of the heart, Inquest verdict unknown
• Samuel Carew, 22, 05/02/88, Pr, Killed himself in Brixton prison’s hospital wing, Suicide
• Armando Belonia, Age unknown, 16/03/88, Pr, Died of pneumonia in locked hospital wing of Wandsworth prison, Natural causes aggravated by lack of care
• Oakley Ramsey, 25, June 1988, Po, Inquest verdict unknown
• Kelroy Briscoe, 32, 20/06/88, Pr, Hanged himself in Wormwood Scrubs, Inquest verdict unknown
• Joseph Watts, 30, 23/08/88, Ps, Accidental death
• Derek Buchanan, 19, 04/09/88, Po, Drowning
• Martin Richmond, 30, 04/12/88, Pr, Found hanged in Brixton prison, Open verdict
• Wayne Tombison, Age unknown, December 88, Pr, Found hanged in Wandsworth prison, Inquest verdict unknown.
• David ‘Duke’ Daley, 44, February 1989, Po, Open verdict
• Nicholas Bramble, 17, March 1989, Po, Accidental death
• Vincent Graham, 40, July 1989, Po, Inquest verdict unknown
• Jamie Stewart, 22, 02/07/89, Po, Death by misadventure due to excessive overdose of cocaine
• Edwin Carr, 39, 12/07/89, Po, Inquest verdict unknown
• Germain Alexander, Age unknown, 06/12/89, Pr, Died after being removed to strip cell in Brixton; had bruising all over his body, Natural causes aggravated by lack of care
• Kimpua Nsimba, 24, 15/06/90, Pr, Zairean asylum-seeker found hanged in Harmondsworth detention centre; no-one had spoken to him in over 4 days, Suicide
• Oliver Pryce, 30, 24/07/90, Po, Unlawful killing
• Edwin Robinson, 28, 30/11/90, Pr, A suicide risk with a psychotic illness hanged himself in Brixton prison, Killed himself because of lack of care
• Delroy McKnight, 29, 19/01/91, Pr, Cut his own throat with glass from cell window and bled to death in Wandsworth prison, Killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed and death was contributed to by lack of care
• Kwaku Ohene, 30, 13/06/91, Pr, Had mental problems and committed suicide in hospital wing of Swaleside, Death aggravated by lack of care
• Ian Gordon, 24, 12/08/91, Po, Psychiatric patient shot dead by Telford police, Lawful killing
• Orville Blackwood, 31, 28/08/91, Ps, Died after being given injection of ‘calming’ drugs in secure unit at Broadmoor, Accidental death; on appeal to High Court by Orville’s family, verdict quashed and a verdict of accidental death recorded again
• Omasase Lumumba, 32, 08/10/91, Pr, Died of a ‘heart attack’ while being ‘controlled and restrained’ by 6 guards in Pentonville, Unlawfully killed using improper methods and excessive force in the process of control and restraint
• Arthur Allison, 50, 1992, Po, Died four days after being arrested by Leicester police, Inquest verdict unknown
• Melita Crawford, 24, 03/01/92, Pr, Had mental problems and was found dead while on remand at Risley, Misadventure
• Mark Fletcher, 21, 08/01/92, Ps, Detained under the Mental Health act and died in All Saints psychiatric hospital after being given an injection in his spine, Cardiac arrest
• Jerome Scott, 27, 23/06/92, Ps, Collapsed and died on the way to hospital in a police van after being given two injections, Therapeutic misadventure
• Errol Commock, 24, 03/07/92, Pr, A known suicide risk committed suicide in hospital wing of Winson Green, Suicide
• James Segawa, 28, 28/08/92, Pr, HIV+ asylum-seeker died in Belmarsh after officials refused to believe he was ill, Inquest verdict unknown
• Ian Francis, 28, 05/09/92, Pr, Died of blood poisoning twelve days after injuring himself at Send prison, Death by natural causes
• Leon Patterson, 32, 21/11/92, Po, Died while on remand at Stockport police station, Unlawful killing verdict was overturned in 1994 and changed to ‘Misadventure to which neglect contributed’
• Warren Jones, 26, 01/01/93, Pr, Found hanged in Leicester prison, Suicide
• Adejare Akinbiyi, 30, 10/03/93, Pr, Died after suffering a succession of severe asthma attacks in Belmarsh, Accidental death brought about by lack of care
• Joy Gardner, 40, 01/08/93, Po, Died after being arrested by ‘specialist’ officers from the Extradition Unit of the Met; was gagged with 13 feet of tape, Inquest adjourned till trial of officers involved, officers later acquitted
• Rupert Marshall, 29, 30/01/94, Ps, Died in Horton psychiatric hospital after being injected with an anti-psychotic drug, Inquest verdict unknown
• Kwanele Siziba, 27, 27/04/94, Po, Fell 150 feet to her death, attempting to flee what she believed were immigration officials, Misadventure
• Carl Owens, 22, 31/05/94, Pr, Died while on remand of a methadone OD in segregation unit of Brixton prison, Misadventure
• Abdul Akinbobola, 24, 26/06/94, Pr, Found hanged in cell at Woodhill prison; had protested innocence and had gone on hunger strike, Suicide
• Mark Harris, 31, 10/07/94, Po, Found hanged after arrested by Bristol police officers, Open verdict
• Jonathan Weekes, Age unknown, 10/08/94, Ps, Died in Chase Farm hospital, Natural causes – pneumonia
• Norman Manning, 26, 29/09/94, Pr, Stabbed to death by inmates in Long Lartin prison in November 1997, 41-year-old Frederick Low was convicted of Norman’s murder
• Joseph Nnalue, 31, 23/10/94, Po, Died after falling from balcony in flat in Stockwell – police and immigration officials wee calling at his flat at the time, Accidental death
• Tyrone Wilson, 34, 18/11/94, Po, Died 18 days after police were called to his flat in Ipswich, Inquest verdict unknown
• Oluwashiji Lapite, 34, 16/12/94, Po, Died during a struggle with police officers from Stoke Newington police station, Unlawful Killing. In June 1998 the CPS reaffirmed its decision not to prosecute the officers involved.
• Mark Holness, 28, 14/01/95, Pr, Found hanged in his cell at Whitemoor prison, Inquest verdict unknown
• Lungile Simelane, 27, 06/05/95, Pr, Found hanged in her cell at Holloway prison, Inquest verdict unknown
• Brian Douglas, 33, 08/05/95, Po, Died 8 days after being restrained with new batons by Clapham police officers, Misadventure
• Peter Williams, 19, 31/08/95, Pr, Found hanged in his cell at Aylesbury YOI, Inquest verdict unknown
• Dennis Stevens, 29, 18/10/95, Pr, Found dead in punishment block of Dartmoor prison; had been restrained in a body belt for 24 hours, Accidental death – December 1997, despite appeal to Court of appeal by family who wanted verdict of unlawful killing, coroner would not allow this, family boycotted resumed inquest
• Brian Augustine, Age unknown, 30/10/95, Pr, Found hanged in his cell at Pentonville prison, Inquest verdict unknown
• Kenneth Severin, 25, 26/11/95, Pr, Found dead in his cell at Bellmarsh after being restrained face down by 8 guards, Open verdict
• Wayne Douglas, 25, 05/12/95, Po, Died in Brixton police station, Accidental death
• Alton Manning, 33, 09/12/95, Pr, Died after being forcibly restrained by 8 guards at Blakenhurst (private) prison, Unlawful killing. In March 1999 the CPS decided not to prosecute the officers involved in his death, saying that there was no realistic prospect of obtaining a conviction
• Newton White, 33, January 1996, Ps, Drowned in bath at Denis Hill Unit of Maudesley hospital, Open verdict
• Ibrahima Sey, 29, 16/03/96, Po, Died after being sprayed (while handcuffed) with CS spray in Ilford police station, Unlawful killing. In October 1998 the CPS decided that thare was not enough evidence to prosecute the officers involved in his death.
• Donovan Williams, 36, April 96, Po, Died after collapsing in his cell during a search in Peckham police station, Accidental death
• Dominic Otoo, 19, 22/05/96, Pr, Found dead in Hindley remand centre, Natural Causes
• Fred Tokunpor Akiyemi, 46, 4/10/96, Po, Died after falling from 5th floor of flat; Peckham police were calling at his flat at the time, Inquest verdict unknown
• Veron Cowan, 32, October/November 1996, Ps, Died in secure unit of Blackberry Hill hospital, Natural Causes
• George Bosie Davies, 36, 7/10/96, Po, Died in Marylebone police station after being arrested on suspicion of being drunk, Inquest verdict unknown
• Oscar Okoye, 53, 11/11/96, Po, Died 5 months after being arrested by Streatham police on suspicion of being drunk, Natural causes
• Herbert Gabbidon, 68, 10/01/97, Po, Died while in the custody of Walsall police who were deporting him back to Jamaica, Inquest verdict unknown
• Peter Austin, 30, 30/01/97, Po, Found hanged in Brentford magistrates court, Lack of care contributed to accidental death
• Ronnie Clarke, 38, 06/03/97, Pr, Found unconscious in cell at Wellingborough; taken to Kettering hospital where he died without regaining consciousness, Inquest verdict unknown
• Abel Mukuna, 39, 12/03/97, Pr, Died in Greenwich hospital five days after being admitted from Belmarsh, Inquest verdict unknown
• Marlon Downes, 20, 23/03/97, Po, Found hanged in cell of Harlesden police station, Open verdict
• Peter San Pedro, 25, 3/04/97, Po, Died after walking into path of lorry hours after being arrested and sprayed with CS spray, Open verdict (December 98)
• Lytton Shannon, 36, 1/05/97, Po, Collapsed and died after being arrested by Wolverhampton police, Inquest verdict unknown
• Jason Sebastian, 23, 19/09/97, Pr, Found hanged in Belmarsh following 4 day segregation as punishment, Open verdict
• Elliott Mitchell, 20, 26/02/98, Pr, Found hanged in Reading remand centre, Inquest verdict unknown
• Christopher Alder, 37, 1/04/98, Po, Died after being arrested by Hull police; dragged to the station; placed on floor face down and handcuffed where he died. In June 2002 a judge ordered the jury to clear 5 police officers charged with manslaughter and misconduct in public office charges because of conflicting evidence on how he died.  Similarly, up to fourteen officers found to have engaged in the unlawful, racist surveillance of his sister Janet and campaign supporters escaped punishment. It emerged in November 2011 that due a mortuary “mix-up” the wrong body was released and subsequently buried, when in fact his body remained in the mortuary. Unanimous unlawful killing verdict
• David Bennett, 38, 31/10/98, Ps, Died after being restrained face down for over 20 minutes by at least three nurses at the Norvic Clinic (Norwich), Accidental death aggravated by neglect; coroner made six recommendations
• Patrick Louis, Age unknown, 2/11/98, Po, Died in the custody of Plumstead police who arrested him for being drunk and incapable, Inquest verdict unknown
• Roger Sylvester, 30, 18/01/99, Po, Died 7 days after being restrained by police in Tottenham, Inquest verdict unlawful killing, later quashed by a High Court judge and replaced with a open verdict
• Robert Allotey, 37, 24/01/99, Po, Collapsed and died after being arrested by Wolverhampton police, Inquest verdict unknown
• Paul Jemmott, 19, 3/05/99, Pr, Attempted suicide by hanging at Aylesbury YOI and died five days later in hospital, Inquest verdict unknown
• Leon Marshall, 24, 13/07/99, Po, Died in hospital two days after being arrested for drugs related offences; officers were aware he had swallowed drugs but failed to take him to hospital, Accidental death
• Spencer Weston, 21, 8/99, Po, Died after being hit by a car during a police chase. Spencer was involved in a fight in Leicester city centre between black and white youths and suffered head injuries from a racist attack. Chased by police wanting to make an arrest, he received fatal injuries after falling in the path of a passing car. The inquest into his death in May 2003 recorded a narrative verdict that ‘Spencer James Weston received fatal multiple injuries when he was hit by a motor car. At the time of the road traffic collision the deceased had evidence of MDMA (Ecstasy) at a concentration of 66 milligrams per litre and quite high levels of alcohol in his blood. He had also been seen a few minutes prior to the collision to run from the scene of a public order disturbance, with a head injury of unknown severity. The head injury, together with the alcohol and ecstasy, may have impaired his judgement.’
• Keita Craig, 22, 1/02/00, Pr, Suffered with mental health problems; took his own life in Wandsworth prison, Killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed. February 2001 – High Court orders new inquest after judicial review of the verdict. New inquest in October 2001 finds the same verdict but adds a rider that neglect was a contributory factor to the death.
• Edita Pommel, 20, 5/5/00, Pr, Edita Pommel was found hanged in HMP Brockhill; she had complained about racial harassment from a prison officer; her death is now the source of an investigation being carried out by West Mercia police, Inquest verdict unknown
• Cheryl Simone Hartman, 20, 18/6/00, Pr, Cheryl was found hanged in her cell at Holloway Prison; Cheryl had a history of mental illness and had asked to go to prison for medical help, Open verdict
• Eugene Edigin, 19, 3/01, Psy, He attended the psychiatric unit at the Whittington hospital and was detained the day before his death under the Mental Health Act because of ‘erratic behaviour’. The following day he was found unconscious in his bed. The inquest in February 2003 recorded an open verdict. His family were critical of staff who, they allege, failed to monitor his diabetes.
• Derek Bennett, 29, 16/7/01, Po, Shot dead in the street by Brixton police who alleged they were called by a member of the public; Derek was carrying a novelty lighter shaped like a gun, Inquest verdict lawfully killed.
• Michelle Allen, Age unknown, 2/11/01, Pr, Found hanged at Barking magistrates court; The company responsible for prisoners – Securicor Custodial Services – refused to comment, Inquest verdict unknown
• Ricky Bishop, Age 25, 22/11/01, Po, Taken to Brixton police station to be searched where he was restrained; then taken to Kings College hospital where he died, Inquest verdict unknown
• Jospeh Crensil, 39, 25/11/01, Po, Died after falling from a third floor window of a flat in Streatham; two immigration and two police officers were questioning five other men at the flat; Jospeh – who was hiding in the bathroom – tried to escape and fell to his death, Inquest verdict unknown
• Marcus Downie, 21, 11/5/02, Pr, Found hanged in Chelmsford prison.
• Lee Duvall, 23, 14/08/02, Po, Found dead in Ladywell police station a day after his arrest.
• Fosta Errol Thompson, 20, 15/08/02, Po, Shot dead by police in St. Werbergh’s area of Bristol, Inquest verdict unknown
• Kwame Sasu Wiredu, 23, 30/08/02, Po, Arrested and taken to Stoke Newington police station where he complained of stomach pains; a doctor claimed he was fit enough to be detained; he was later found collapsed in his cell and died in Homerton hospital, Inquest verdict unknown
• Beverley Fowler, 32, 2/10/02, Pr, Found hanged, two days before the end of her sentence, in Durham prison. She was a mother of three from Jamaica who was due to be deported back there after serving a sentence for drug smuggling. In September 2003, an inquest recorded an open verdict. The inquest was told she feared for her safety back in Kingston; the man who forced her into drug smuggling had murdered her partner.
• Stuart Warwick, 29,16/1/03, Pr, Died from burns in HMP Winchester.
• Sponford Antonio Green, 43, 27/3/03, Po, Died after falling from the thirteenth floor balcony of the flat where he was staying. The inquest jury recorded a narrative verdict that ‘he accidentally fell from the 13th floor whilst trying to evade custody.’ Police were calling at his flat to arrest him for a breach of licence. According to his girlfriend, Antonio fled to the balcony (as he had on previous occasions when the police called) but was surprised to find police offices waiting on the neighbouring balcony. She also commented that ‘one of the officers grabbed hold of him on the shoulder. I didn’t know whether he was pulling Antonio back or pushing him over.’
• Patrick Okello, 32, 21/5/03, Pr, found hanged at Wandsworth.
• Tema Kombe (aka Emmanuel Silva/ Gladwell Moseki Keenao), 32, 4/9/03, Psy, A Ugandan asylum seeker was found hanged in the toilet of a psychiatric ward at Heatherwood hospital, Ascot. In January 2004, an inquest returned a verdict of misadventure after hearing that he had made three previous attempts on his life.
• Michael Powell, 38, 7/9/03, Po, Died after being arrested by police in Lozell’s, Birmingham. The police were called by his family after he began behaving erratically. During the course of the struggle to restrain him, Michael was knocked over by a police car and then, according to witnesses, restrained by police using batons and CS spray. Six officers were suspended.
• Paul Yorke, 38, 2/11/03, Po, died after being arrested by police officers at Terminal Two of Heathrow airport. He was taken to Heathrow police station where he was charged with being a ‘prohibited person’ (it is alleged that he had been banned from airport property) and then detained in a cell. He was, according to police, seen by a Forensic Medical Examiner on at least three occasions and deemed fit for detention. However, the following day, officers called an ambulance at 7.00 am after he was found collapsed in his cell. He was taken to Hillingdon hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Police Complaints Authority and the Directorate of Professional Standards are investigating his death.
• Gareth Myatt, 15, 19/04/04, Pr, Kebba ‘Dobo’ Jobe died of asphyxiation after being arrested in Camden.  Within a few minutes Dobo was on the ground struggling for breath and that within a few hours doctors at the Royal Free Hospital had pronounced him dead. Jobe, was related to Ibrahim Sey, who  died in police custody on 16/03/96 in Ilford Police Station in East London.
• Kebba ‘Dobo’ Jobe, 42, 15/05/04, Po, Kebba ‘Dobo’ Jobe died of asphyxiation after being arrested in Camden.  Within a few minutes Dobo was on the ground struggling for breath and that within a few hours doctors at the Royal Free Hospital had pronounced him dead. Jobe, was related to Ibrahim Sey, who  died in police custody on 16/03/96 in Ilford Police Station in East London.
• Godfrey Moyo, 25, 03/01/05, Pr, After a series of epileptic seizures in the early hours of the morning, was subjected to a lengthy period of restraint and left unsupervised in a decommissioned intensive care suite until a nurse discovered he was not breathing.  He was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital later that morning.  The inquest jury recorded a unanimous and highly critical narrative verdict that Godfrey died from ‘Positional asphyxia, to which restraint contributed to his death by neglect.
• Azelle Rodney, 24, 30/04/05, Po, expectant father, Azelle Rodney, who was shot dead in the back seat of a car by a police officers in Edgware, in a manner similar to, but 11 weeks before the killing Jean Charles De Menezes at Stockwell Station.  There were two other occupants in the car, Wesley Lovell, aged 26, and Frank Graham, aged 23 years old.  In July 2013 an inquest judged that the killing was “unjustified.”  Former police marksman Anthony Long was committed for trial for murder in June 2015 and was acquitted in July 2015.
• Paul Coker, 32, 06/08/05, Po, died on 6th August 2005 in a cell at Plumstead police station, South east London, just two hours after being arrested for causing a breach of the peace. He was at the point of a new beginning. He had won a compensation case against the Metropolitan Police six years ago and a second legal action against the Prison Service was pending. The inquest jury delivered a narrative verdict heavily criticising the police actions.
• Bereket Yohannes 26, 19/1/06, Pr, the Eritrean asylum seeker was found hanged in a shower block at Harmondsworth Removal Centre. An inquest in March 2007 was told how he had previously tried to take his own life while he was held at Dover removal centre a month prior to his death. It found that he took his own life.
• Jason McPherson, 25, 18/01/07, Po taken to Notting Hill Police Station after car he was travelling was stopped.  Station CCTV footage show him fitting shortly being restrained by up 12 officers.  Having phoned the station at the time his mother heard Jason screaming “I Can’t breathe” and “Get off me.” The Inquest jury’s narrative verdict concluded that “police did not implement procedures “appropriately.” No police were disciplined.
• Augustine Okwuili Ifeajuna, 54, 11/04/07, Pr, Unclassified.
• Mark Nunes, 35, 13/01/07, Po shot and killed during a security guard robbery outside a bank following surveillance and year long investigation.  The IPCC report  into the shooting said there was “window of opportunity” to arrest the pair safely.  The November 2011 inquest jury returned a verdict of lawful killing.
• Andrew Markland, 36, 13/01/07, Po fatally wounded in the same operation that killed Mark Nunes
• Sean Rigg, 40, 21/08/08, Po arrested in Brixton on suspicion of public order offences and alleged assault on a police officer. According to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), Sean became ill while being held in the custody suite and died.  A damning 2012 narrative inquest verdict found that police restraint deployed at the time “more than minimally” contributed to Bro. Sean’s death who was detained after suffering a mental health crisis.  The decade long campaign for justice secured a number of legal landmarks including: the first ever external review into an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation; The first time criminal charges for perjury have been bought against a serving police officer following a death in police custody; The first ever use of the Victim’s Right of Review (VRR) to change an original CPS not to prosecute a police officer.
• Reece Staples, 19, 07/06/09, Po, died when a bag of cocaine he had ingested split inside his body, while in police custody after being arrested for criminal damage.  He told four officers that he had swallowed drugs but none of them believed him.  The inquest verdict was death by misadventure.
• Frank Ogboru, 43, 26/09/09, Po, had been on holiday in Britain for three weeks when he got into an argument with the girlfriend of a friend. Police were called to the flat in Woolwich, south east London around 10.30pm and attempted to arrest him. Frank later lost consciousness as police pinned him down on the street after being sprayed with CS gas. He was later declared dead in hospital.
• Olaseni Lewis, 23, 04/09/10 Ho, called the police in order to restrain Mr Olaseni, who they say had become violent. But after a seven-police officer restraint at the hospital his airway became blocked and Lewis collapsed and slipped into a coma. Brain stem death was confirmed following tests on 3 and 4 September 2010.  Narrative Verdict: prolonged periods of “unnecessary and unreasonable” police restraint contributed to death (Coroner ruled out Unlawful Killing)
• Jimmy Mubenga, 46, 12/10/10 Pr, collapsed while being restrained three guards employed by private security firm G4S on a British Airways refugee deportation flight preparing to leave Heathrow Airport for Angola.  The father of five, was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital and  was found to have died from cardiorespiratory collapse. The CPS announced in July 2012 that there is not enough evidence to charge anyone over the death.  In July 2013 an inquest ruled that the death was unlawful.  The CPS said it would re-look at the case and decides in March 2014 to charge the 3 G4S guards with manslaughter, they are acquitted after a 6 week trial in December 2014.  The trial judge refused to allow a jury to hear about dozens of “grossly offensive and undoubtedly racist” text messages on the phones of two of the G4S guards because they did not have “any real relevance” to the trial.
• Sarah Mulenga,21, 09/01/11, Am, sickle cell sufferer Mulenga died after paramedics refused to take her to hospital after suffering a crisis at her Barking home.  Another ambulance had to be called, and it arrived 45 minutes later, but her condition deteriorated and she died later in hospital. The paramedics quit their roles ahead of a scheduled disciplinary.  The London Ambulance Service says it kept the findings of its inquiry private at the request of the family, however, at the inquest the Coroner ruled that failures to follow basic procedures by London Ambulance staff contributed to her death
• Smiley Culture,48, 15/03/11, Po, David Emmanuel, also known as the reggae artist Smiley Culture, died during a police raid on his home.  According to the police account he was allowed into the kitchen to make a cup a tea whereupon he stabbed himself through the heart.  In July 2013 an inquest ruled that he stabbed himself in the heart.
• Kingsley Burrell Brown, 29, 31/03/11, Ho, Kingsley Burrell Brown, 29, of Hockley, was picked up by West Midlands Police on March 27 and admitted into Mary Seacole mental institute. He was later transferred, on March 30, to a mental health facility at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. When he arrived at Mary Seacole, Brown alleged he had been beaten up by the police. When he arrived at the second hospital he was in a critical condition. His family believe he was also beaten en route to the hospital.  He was pronounced dead on the afternoon of March 31. In May 2015 an inquest jury found that neglect contributed to his death.  As a result, the family has asked the CPS to reconsider its earlier decision not to bring charges for lack of evidence.  In December 2018, PC Paul Adey, one of the three arresting officers was found guilty of gross misconduct for providing dishonest accounts after the death and was dismissed from the force.
• Cherry Groce, 63, 24/04/11, Po,  died at Kings College Hospital of an infection which resulted in kidney failure.  The 2014 inquest found undisputed pathological evidence of a causal link between the police shooting during a bungled raid on her home in September 1985 (which precipitated the Brixton uprisings) and her subsequent death 26 years later
• Demetre ‘T.Dot’ Fraser, 21, 31/05/11, Po, died after being visited by the West Midlands Police force on the 31st May 2011. The official version of events is that he committed suicide by jumping off a 11th floor balcony. That is heavily disputed and undermined by the fact that neighbours heard a violent struggle and saw evidence of such on the 11th and 8th floors.
• Mark Duggan, 29, 04/08/11, Po, Stopped by officers from Operation Trident while travelling in a minicab in Tottenham and shot dead at the scene.  Initial media reports characterised Duggan as a gun man who exchanged fire with the police, when in fact only the police fired shots.  With the family’s request for information about the incident unheeded a peaceful protest was held outside Tottenham Police Station two days later, which later sparked the largest uprisings seen for decades engulfing many parts of London and England.  In January 2014 the inquest jury ruled that the killing was “lawful” in spite of the fact they concluded he had no gun at the time of the shooting.  The family called the verdict “perverse.”
• Jacob Michael, 25, 22/08/11, Po, called the Widnes police after being threatened with a gun but himself arrested on suspicion of affray.  He was pepper sprayed and according to eye-witness accounts restrained and beaten by 11 officers.  He was taken to the police station but rushed to hospital when he became unwell but was pronounced dead two hours later.
• Shanise Paris-Goff, 18, 10/04/12, Po, fell from a 17^th floor window of Hastings House,  Woolwich just after two plain-clothes Metropolitan Police officers from Bromley Police station called to arrest her for a breach of parole.  Although police claim she was alone in a bedroom at the time she fell from the flat, neighbours told of being woken by her screaming ‘Get off me, let me go’ shortly before she fell.”
• Prince Kwabena Ofosu, 31, 30/10/12, Pr, found dead at Harmondsworth Removal Centre. A statement released by Ghanaian detainees on the www.no-deportations.org.uk website has alleged that Prince Ofosu was forcibly restrained by GEO officers employed by the UKBA and that he sustained injuries “massive blows” inflicted on him by GEO officer, “Jim” who had blood stains on his uniform, but was asked to remove the blood stained clothes so that no one would notice what happened. His clothes were changed for him.  The Home Office released a one-sentence statement and refused to answer any questions: ‘This death is being investigated so it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage. We will work with the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman during the investigation.’ A post mortem has found no evidence of violence, restraint or suicide.
• Jonathan Andel Malia, 24, 17/01/13, Ho, the fit father of one voluntarily admitted himself to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 04/01/13 and was transferred to three hospitals in four days.  For ten consecutive days his girlfriend was denied all access to him.  On the tenth day she received a call that he been transferred to a forth hospital where he had gone into cardiac arrest.  Staff told the family that he “went to visit the bathroom and keeled over.”
• Leon Briggs, 39, 04/11/13, Po died in hospital on 4 November 2013 after being restrained and detained at Luton police station. In September 2018 the CPS announced that none of the officers involved would face criminal proceedings as there was “no realistic prospect” of a conviction.  In February 2020 the disciplinary hearing against the officers collapsed, due to, according to an IOPC spokesman, “the decision of Bedfordshire Police to offer no evidence”.  The inquest into the death is scheduled for February 2021.
• Aston McLean, 28, 06/08/14, Po The Reading dad was Killed after being doused with an incapacitant spray and falling into the path of a police Armed Response Vehicle trapping him beneath it, following a chase. The 2019 inquest concluded that the police were “not at fault”
• Adrian Thompson, 34, 22/12/14, Po Tasered by police at a flat in Newcastle-under-Lyme at around 01:45 and was pronounced dead 02.30.  Initial reports suggested he was arrested after breaking into a house but the homeowner later refuted this.  McDonald is believed to be the first black taser victim in the UK.
• Sheku Bayoh, 31, 03/05/15, Po, Died after being restrained by police near his home in Kirkcaldy, Fife.  Police allegedly initially gave two conflicting accounts of what happened until a third – a claim from a female police officer that “feared for her life” as he was brandishing a knife, emerged. Reports  indicate that he was on the ground and subdued within 40 seconds of police arriving with at least five uniformed officers involved in restraining him by the knees and ankles using batons and two sprays, the routine CS spray and a more potent form called Pava spray.
• Shalane Blackwood, 29, 05/08/15, Pr, 5 August 2015 had been on the Segregation Unit for a month in HMP Nottingham at the time of his death. It was later found that he had suffered a burst duo-denal ulcer.  The inquest concluded that behaviour meant his fatal illness could not be diagnosed.
• Jermaine Baker, 28, 11/12/15, Po, shot dead while sitting (some accounts say sleeping) in a car near Wood Green Court.  The officer that fired the shot was arrested shortly after but was announced in June 2017 that he would face no charges.
• Mzee Mohammed, 18, 13/07/16, Po, the teenager who  was diagnosed with Autism and had mental ill health issues died following restraint and arrest by security staff and Merseyside police at Liverpool One shopping complex.
• Natasha Chin, 39, 19/07/16, Pr, found unresponsive in her cell after vomiting for at least nine hours – less than 36 hours after entering HMP Bronzefield, run by Sodexo. The November 2018 inquest found that neglect and systemic failures by prison and healthcare professionals contributed to her death.
• Dalian Atkinson, 48, 15/08/16, Po, Former Premiership footballer died after being tasered three times after clashing with police outside his father’s home.  He was pronounced dead 90 minutes after police arrived on the scene, a period that included 35 minutes of CPR.  In November 2019 it was announced that officer, PC Benjamin Monk, would be charged with murder, while, PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, with assault.
• Beatrice Lovane, 22, 26/08/16, Am, Died of organ failure after suffering a fatal reaction to painkillers after being accused of “faking it” for “attention” and refused a wheelchair by paramedics as she lay dying.  The Coroner’s narrative verdict concluded: “”I cannot conclude that if things has had been done differently it would have changed the outcome but I do find it would have improved her chances of survival. Whilst there was a gross failure to provide basic medical care to the deceased it is not possible to link this to her death.”
• Sarah Reed, 32, 11/01/16, Pr, Found unresponsive in a cell in Holloway Prison, were she was on remand for a grievous bodily harm with intent charge.  The charge relates her fighting off an alleged rapist  in an incident in 2014.   She was bailed and under the care of a community mental health team while her trial was heard. But in October 2015 she was unexpectedly placed on remand at Holloway prison, where she was found dead.
• Leroy Junior Medford, 44, 02/04/17, Po, arrested on April 1^st suspicion of assault and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.  Concerns about his welfare led to him being taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital. He was later discharged and returned to Loddon Valley Police Station, here he was found unresponsive in his cell.  He was taken back to the hospital but died the following day.  In September 2018 a Thames Valley police constable received a written warning after he was found guilty of misconduct for failing to properly observe him.
• Edir Frederico “Edson” Da Costa, 25, 21/06/17, Po, The young father died in hospital 6 days after being detained by police using force and CS spray.  Some reports stated that Edson had suffered a broken neck and severe head injuries while police stated they found several “packages” in his throat.  Edson’s mother collapsed and died six weeks later. At the inquest in June 2019 the coroner forbade the jury from criticising the police.  They returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
• Shane Bryant, 30, 15/07/17, Po, The young father died in hospital 6 days after being detained by police using force and CS spray.  Some reports stated that Edson had suffered a broken neck and severe head injuries while police stated they found several “packages” in his throat.  Edson’s mother collapsed and died six weeks later.
• Darren Cumberbatch, 32, 19/07/17, Po, Died in George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, 9 day days after being arrested by police who say he “fell unwell” at the scene.
• Rashan Charles, 20, 22/07/17, Po, Died after being restrained on the floor of a shop in Dalston, London.  CCTV footage of the incident posted on YouTube the following day.  Forensic analysis contradicted initial reports that Rashan had swallowed a “controlled substance.” In June 2018 the inquest  jury found his death was an accident following justified use of force.
• Annabella Landsberg, 45, 06/09/17, Pr,  the Zimbabwean who was diabetic and HIV Positive died after being left on the floor of her cell  at HMP Peterborough for 21 hours and denied medication.
• Anthony Solomon, 38, 27/09/17, Pr, he immediately fell ill after taking synthetic cannabinoids as an inmate in HMP Nottingham.  His cell mates raised the alarm but guards took 40 minutes instead of the required 5 to attend.  The inquest jury returned a narrative conclusion highlighting a number of staffing failures.
• Carlington Spencer, 38, 03/10/17, Pr, the Jamaican national died following a stroke at Morton Hall immigration removal centre in Lincolnshire.  In February 2019 the Home Officer later tried to deport two key witnesses but were given a last-minute reprieve at the behest of the coroner. The November 2019 inquest jury highlighted that multiple staff failures contributed to his death.
• Nuno Cardoso, 25, 24/11/17, Po, The Oxford law student Became “unwell” in a police van whilst being taken to a police station following an assault allegation at around 5,30am.  After the administration of CPR and use of a defibrillator, he was taken by ambulance to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he died later that day.  Some of the officers were wearing body cameras.
• Tyrone Givans, 32, 26/02/18, Pr, Died from self-inflicted injuries in HMP Pentonville where he had been for less than three weeks.  The profoundly deaf inmate had no access to hearing aids for most of that time. In spite of having a suicide and self-harm assessment, staff effected no monitoring procedures.  The inquest concluded that systemic failures and missed opportunities contributed to his death.
• Kevin Clarke, 35, 09/03/18, Po, Died after being restrained by up to nine police officers, apparently while suffering a mental health crisis.  Although an ambulance as called, Kevin “became unwell” while paramedics were at the scene and he died after being taken to Lewisham Hospital.  Some of the police officers were wearing body cameras.

SAY THEIR NAMES!!!

(1) Stephanie Guerilus (01/06/20) Floyd Mayweather to pay for George Floyd’s funeral expenses. https://thegrio.com/2020/06/01/floyd-mayweather-george-floyd-funeral/

(2) iNAPP Interim National Organising Committee (28/11/15) ‘MANIFESTO : Working Draft For Community Consultation. interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. p. 17

(3) Rt. Hon. Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (2017) Report of the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody. p. 238. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655401/Report_of_Angiolini_Review_ISBN_Accessible.pdf

(4) Home Office (2017) Government response to the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody. p.15 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660978/Gov_Response_to_Angiolini_Report.pdf; Kris Jepson (23/12/19) Legal aid ‘failures exposed’ by Stephen Berry death in custody case, says charity Inquest. https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2019-12-23/legal-aid-failures-exposed-by-stephen-berry-death-in-custody-case-says-charity-inquest/

(5) Amelia Gentleman (06/02/20) Only 3% of Windrush claimants have so far received compensation. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/06/windrush-victims-still-waiting-for-payments; Amelia Gentleman (17/12/19) Windrush victim rejects ‘insulting’ offer of £22,000 payout. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/dec/17/windrush-victim-rejects-insulting-offer-of-22000-payout-compensation; Sinai Fleary (20/03/20) Priti Patel wants you to think the Windrush compensation scheme works – this victim’s heartbreaking struggle shows the opposite.  https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/windrush-review-compensation-scheme-home-office-deport-money-a9389926.html; Heather Stewart (12/06/20) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/johnsons-culture-war-trap-seems-designed-for-corbyn-not-starmerhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/johnsons-culture-war-trap-seems-designed-for-corbyn-not-starmer

(6) Institute of Race Relations (1991) Deadly Silence: Black Deaths in Custody.  Institute of Race Relations.p. 47-57.  Notification of errors, omissions, etc, are welcome and can be sent to: info@alkebulan.org.

(14) Ibid.

We ask the question:

Have we done Enough to Support Death in Police Custody Families?

1) What feelings has the George Floyd incident brought up for you?

2) Do you think that there will finally be changes to police practice in the UK as a result of the continued demonstrations?

3) What support have you and your family been given since your sad loss?

4) Do you think the black community could do more to support you and your family?

5) Do you think the black community should get behind the National Memorial Family Fund?

6) What other thoughts do you have on the current situation?

Our Special Guests:

Sis. Marcia Rigg: is the older sister of Bro. Sean Rigg who died in Brixton Police station on 21/08/2008.  Sis. Marcia has lead the campaign to get justice for her brother, compelling her to give up her 20-year career as a legal PA in the City, as leading the campaign “has been like a full time job.”  Although the campaign is ongoing it has scored some significant legal victories against the state.  Sis. Marcia is the current Chair of the United Friends and Families Campaign (UFFC), a coalition of those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody. (https://uffcampaign.org/)

Sis. Janet Alder: is the sister of Christopher Alder who for over twenty years has lead the campaign to deliver truth and justice about the circumstances around  his death for which she has endured unlawful surveillance and unspeakable miscarriages at the hands of the state. She is planning to write a book on her experiences. (https://fundrazr.com/christopheralder?ref=ab_5JF8sscQ9Em5JF8sscQ9Em)