South City police death of Julio Ayala still under investigation

Wednesday April 6, 2005


Local Briefs

South City police death still under investigation

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office reported Tuesday that it is still trying to determine what caused a man to die Sunday while in the custody of South San Francisco police.

An autopsy was performed Monday on Julio Ayala, 26, of San Francisco.

“There are no gross findings that would have solely contributed to his cause of death,” said San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault. The coroner’s office is awaiting toxicology results, Foucrault said.

Ayala died after a confrontation with police at South San Francisco’s Airport Inn, located at 751 Airport Blvd, according to police reports.

Officers responded to the area around 12:17 a.m. and confronted Ayala, who was allegedly “immediately combative,” police reported. Additional officers were called to the scene to assist in Ayala’s arrest.

After a 15-minute struggle, five officers restrained Ayala in a “body wrap restraint device.” Officers noticed Ayala was not breathing. Paramedics began lifesaving efforts but were unsuccessful, according to police.

No chemical-agent weapons or Taser devices were used during the confrontation, police report.

Contra Costa prohibits Indian casino growth

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday afternoon to prohibit construction or expansion of Indian gaming casinos in Contra Costa County.

The board also voted 4-0 to prohibit the establishment of any reservations that would eventually set up casinos.

Contra Costa County supervisors John Gioia and Gayle B. Uilkema introduced the proposals.

The board also voted to support a state bill that would place a moratorium on new Indian casinos in California until 2008, pending a study on Indian gaming, according to Erin Gabel, deputy chief of staff for Gioia.

Lastly, the board voted to support Sen. Dianne Feinstein's federal bill that would require the Lytton band of the Pomo Indians to get approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs before the tribe sets up casinos. The bill is being debated in the U.S. Senate.