Video Surfaces Of 2013 Oakland Arrest That Ended In Man's Death
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Just days after the settlement of a wrongful death lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department, troubling new video surfaced showing the moments before the Bay Area man at the center of the suit died pleading for help as officers restrained him.
On Wednesday night, the man's sister spoke exclusively to KPIX 5.
Ana Biocini recalled the day she watched her younger brother, 51-year-old Hernan Jarmillos, dying in hands of police almost two and a half years ago.
They don't believe that my brother was really dying said Biocini.
It was July 8, 2013, when Biocini says she called police after thinking there was an intruder trying to kill her brother. When police arrived, they only found Biocini and Jarmillos at the house.
Police body cam video obtained by the Contra Costa Times showed officers ignoring Jarmillos's pleas for help. They continue to restrain him as Jarmillos can be heard repeatedly shouting "I can't breathe! They are killing me!"
His sister said she watched in horror that night, helpless to do anything to save her brother.
"They had an opportunity to change what they were doing. And they didn't do anything," said Biocini.
Police arrested Hernan when he would not obey their commands.
Ana says officers were pressing their knees into her brother's back and abdomen. She says he was rendered unconscious. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.
"At the very least, they could have released the pressure from his diaphragm and his back so that his breathing was not restricted," said family attorney DeWitt Lacy. "Those are things that they are trained to do and they could have easily done here."
Biocini said even though the city of Oakland settled the wrongful death lawsuit for $450,000, it doesn't bring her brother back
"They were very irresponsible," said Biocini.
The Alameda County Coroner did find drugs in Jarmillos's system. Officials maintained the cause of death was multiple intoxication plus physical exertion. The city and the Oakland Police Department are not commenting on the settlement.
KPIX 5 learned that the three officers listed in the lawsuit are on duty today.
