Craig Holden, 22, dies while in custody at the SF Bayview Police Station.

Another Stolen Young life in Bayview, Craig Holden dies in custody

Craig Holden, 22, of San Pablo, was declared dead just after midnight on 9-21-05 while in custody at the SF Bayview Police Station.

Today a SF Chronicle article reveals that Craig had asthma, had difficulty breathing at the station and Paramedics were called. Craig would have refused to be transported to the hospital. The paramedics concluded to medical clearance and left. Further in the Chronicle article:

"Twenty-three minutes later, officers called paramedics again after finding
that Holden was "in distress," police said. A sergeant spotted Holden
slumped on a bench, where he had been awaiting booking. "

Red flag... I wonder: was Craig unattended for 23 MINUTES although he had been clearly identified as an asthma sufferer in distress?

"They had to physically subdue him because he was resisting arrest," said
Sgt. Neville Gittens, a spokesman for the Police Department. He would not
specify what kind of force officers had used."

Again... What means of restraint were applied to restrain Craig Holden? Wrestling a suspect to the ground, the usual pressure applied to the carotid on the neck to promote loss of consciousness, body wrap, choke hold, taser, pepper spray, applying pressure to the chest, forcefully maintaining a suspect on the ground, whatever means were used would invariably provoke a severe attack that could be lethal for an asthma sufferer. Did Craig told the arresting officers about his asthmatic condition during the arrest? When did he start experiencing breathing difficulties? How long did Craig gasp for air until they finally "found" him slumped, and dead, on a bench? . Unfortunately Craig will not tell...

When will the Coroner's report be available to the public? It should at least determine any traces of Pepper spray in his pharynx and bronchial tubes, any contusions about the neck or chest.

Another one bites the Bayview dust
Another young stolen life.
We are waiting. And watching.