Pubdate: Thu, 06 May 2004
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Tony Blais
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

COPS DESCRIBE 'SCARY' BATTLE

A coked-up Kelowna, B.C., man who died after being arrested by three city 
cops fought with "extraordinary" and "scary" strength, a fatality inquiry 
heard yesterday. Douglas Richard Oliver, 37, had very high levels of 
cocaine in his body and his death was attributed to excited delirium due to 
cocaine intoxication, according to medical evidence at the hearing.

Police were called to the Grand Hotel, 10266 103 St., about 7 a.m. on Feb. 
5, 2003, after a complaint of a guest having all-night drug parties with 
unregistered visitors.

Const. Richard Abbott testified he could smell the odor of crack cocaine 
when he opened the door of the second-floor suite and found a sweaty, pale 
Oliver standing with a weird look on his face and a screwdriver in his hand.

After yelling at him three times before he finally put the screwdriver 
down, Abbott said he was trying to handcuff Oliver when Oliver swatted his 
hand away.

"A donnybrook is exactly what happened," said Abbott, adding he and a 
second cop used both their hands and batons to subdue Oliver, but had no 
effect.

"It's off the scale with the violence and tenacity," said Abbott, who 
admitted still being "freaked out" by the incident.

He said both he and his partner were fatigued, yet Oliver showed no signs 
of slowing down, and even when a third officer joined the battle, Oliver 
was initially winning.

"Scary strength" was how he described it.

Const. Kyle Deeg, who was last on scene, agreed, saying he kicked Oliver 
four times as hard as he could and got no response.

"I have never seen that type of strength before - he did not even move," 
said Deeg. "It was mayhem."

Court heard the officers eventually got Oliver handcuffed and he finally 
stopped fighting and began answering questions, but shortly after his 
breathing became shallow and then stopped.

Paramedics were called, but they were unable to revive Oliver and he was 
later pronounced dead in hospital.

Oliver's mother and sister questioned witnesses, wanting to know why three 
officers couldn't restrain him.

"I just really, really question why such excessive force was used," said 
the mother. "Why did he take 48 blows to the body and the head?"

The inquiry is expected to wrap up today.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom