Paper: Houston Chronicle

Date: Mon 06/11/2007

Section: B Page: 3 Edition: 3 STAR

Man who died in HPD custody was `combative'

Staff

A man who died while in the custody of Houston police was identified Sunday as Johnell Patrick, 35, authorities said.

Patrick was arrested shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday after he and his brother got into a fight at his home.

Police said Patrick was "combative and erratic" when they spoke to him. Patrick was taken into custody after the officers learned he was wanted on outstanding municipal warrants. He continued to fight with officers after they brought him to the HPD jail, police said.

Patrick was unresponsive when officers later checked on him. Paramedics brought Patrick to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Although initial reports said Patrick died from cardiac arrest, an autopsy has been ordered to confirm it. The Harris County District Attorney's office, along with detectives from HPD's homicide and internal affairs divisions, is investigating Patrick's death.

Patrick had a Harris County criminal history dating back to early 1989. In 2004, he was sentenced to three years in prison for narcotics trafficking.

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