July 10--NORFOLK -- Multiple factors, including restraints and synthetic marijuana, contributed to the death of a former sailor who lost consciousness in the back of a police car, the medical examiner has determined.
Derrick Shurron Hemphill Jr., 20, died April 3 after police restrained him in the 7800 block of Diven Arch near Norfolk Naval Station. Police observed him vomiting and acting incoherently, their statement said. The medical examiner found that Hemphill was suffering from a mental disorder and had synthetic marijuana in his system, and that police restraints contributed to his death.
Hemphill's death was determined to be accidental, said Glenn McBride, a spokesman for the Norfolk medical examiner's office. The cause was sudden cardiac death in association with synthetic cannabinoid use with acute psychosis, physical exertion and subdual with physical restraints contributing, McBride said.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is doing a legal review of Hemphill's death to determine if any crime was committed, said Amanda Howie, a spokeswoman.
Police and a spokeswoman for the Navy said in April that Hemphill, who had been discharged from the Navy, was involved in a confrontation with employees at the Navy's Operational Test and Evaluation Force on Diven Arch the day he died.
They called police to say he was suicidal and disoriented, according to police.
Officers pepper-sprayed and restrained Hemphill after he became combative, the statement said. They placed him upright in the back of a police car and buckled him in, the police statement said. Police told the medics to follow them in an ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, but Hemphill lost consciousness on the way and died at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center.
Police Department spokesman Chris Amos said the department was waiting to receive the medical examiner's report and had no other comment.
The city refused to release 911 calls in the case, saying the calls are part of a criminal investigation.
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Copyright 2012 - The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
