Pubdate: Sat, 13 Nov 2004
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2004 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Colbert I. King
Note: Item excerpted from longer column
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Magbie (Jonathan Magbie)

JONATHAN MAGBIE UPDATE:

Last week I reported that the D.C. medical examiner declared Magbie's death 
an accident and said it was caused by "acute respiratory failure following 
dislodgement of tracheotomy tube placed for treatment of respiratory 
insufficiency."

Yesterday I asked Beverly Fields, chief of staff to the chief medical 
examiner, where and when the dislodgement occurred.

"We are only authorized to release the cause and manner of death," she said.

The D.C. Corrections Department had custody of Magbie from Sept. 20 until 
he died on Sept 24. Yesterday I asked the Corrections Department when on 
Sept 24 Magbie began having respiratory problems. The department's e-mail 
response, a clear brushoff, said that it is cooperating with the 
investigation of Magbie's death and that it will give information to 
investigative agencies that will determine the facts in the case.

The D.C. Department of Health investigated Magbie's death but has not 
released its report. Yesterday I asked the department if the "accidental" 
dislodging of the tracheotomy tube occurred at the D.C. jail facility, in 
the ambulance or at Greater Southeast Community Hospital, where Magbie 
died. Briant Coleman, the department's public information officer, was 
authorized to say, "The incident is currently being reviewed."

Yesterday, I asked the hospital whether the dislodging of Magbie's 
tracheotomy tube occurred at that facility. Joan Phillips, chief executive 
officer of Greater Southeast Community Hospital said, "This is now a legal 
case. Our attorneys are handling it as such. I cannot comment at this time." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake