Sean Rigg Inquest: Jury Deliberating In Case Of 40-Year-Old Schizophrenic Who Died In Police Custody

Jury Deliberating In Case Of Schizophrenic Who Died In Police Custody

An inquest jury has resumed its deliberations in the case of a schizophrenic who died in police custody.

Sean Rigg, a physically fit 40-year-old musician, was held by police after he attacked passers-by in Balham, south London.

He had a 20-year history of mental illness following a bad acid trip and was a black belt in karate. He had destroyed a gazebo in his hostel's garden in Fairmount Road, Brixton, that afternoon.

He then left his place of residence and was seen practising martial arts moves before becoming involved in a series of altercations.

Sean Rigg died in police custody

The inquest heard that Mr Rigg had not been taking his medication for two months and had a history of problems with the law, both in the UK and abroad.

The jury at Southwark Coroner's Court retired on Friday afternoon to consider its verdict and has resumed its deliberations this morning, a court official said.

The inquest has been sitting for several weeks and heard from a police inspector who was in charge of a group of officers when the death occurred that he would act "exactly the same" under similar circumstances.

Mr Rigg had been arrested on August 21, 2008 and was in a cage in the back of a police van at Brixton police station.

Inspector Andrew Dunn said: "Given what I knew at that time, it was appropriate for him to remain in the caged area of the van with the doors open."

Mr Rigg fell ill and was seen by a doctor. An ambulance was called to take him to hospital but before it arrived his condition deteriorated and he was given CPR. He was formally pronounced dead in hospital later that night.

The jury was sent home for the day and will continue deliberations tomorrow at 9am.

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