The death of a Buffalo man while he was being placed under arrest in February has been ruled a homicide. The Erie County medical examiner has reportedly determined 20-year-old Wardel Davis's death was brought on by his respiratory ailment.
On February 7th, Davis was seen leaving a suspected drug house by two Buffalo police officers. He began experiencing breathing difficulties while he was being physically restrained by the officers.
An attorney for one of the officers tells the Buffalo News a finding of homicide does not equate to murder. Thomas Burton says homicide simply means death with the involvement of another human being. Burton says the officers did not know of the serious medical problems Davis was suffering from and are not criminally responsible for his death.
According to the News, the attorney for the Davis family is claiming there was an extended delay in getting Davis medical attention.