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Died in jail or a lockup

Philip Coleman

38 years old · died December 2012 · Calumet District Police Station, Cook County, Illinois

Philip Coleman, a University of Chicago graduate and community activist, died in December 2012 after being held at a Chicago police lockup and then taken to Roseland Community Hospital. His parents called police for help during a mental health crisis at home, and his family says he should have been taken to a hospital rather than a police station. A city video released in 2015 shows officers entering his cell and using a Taser on him, and his family says he was calm and sleeping when that happened. The city said he died of an allergic reaction to a sedative given at the hospital, and the medical examiner ruled the death an accident, while his family attorney disputes that ruling and says police actions caused his death. The Independent Police Review Authority investigation was still ongoing at the time of reporting, and the city's law department later recommended a $4.9 million settlement in a lawsuit over his death.

Cause of death, as reported: Died in an accident (disputed). The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident from a reaction to a sedative given at the hospital, while his family and their lawsuit say police Taser use and force caused it.

Reported by: Cook County Medical Examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); City of Chicago officials (the agency that held him); Philip Coleman's family and their lawsuit (family or their lawyers).

Lawsuit: His family sued the City of Chicago, and the city's law department recommended a $4.9 million settlement that the City Council Finance Committee considered in April 2016.

Sources (7)

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Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.