DeMotte, Ind. – Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump released a statement in response to the findings of the Lake County Coroner’s Office regarding the tragic death of 26-year-old Rhyker Earl. The report, which attributes Earl’s death to cardiovascular disease and labels it as natural, fails to address the physical interaction with law enforcement shortly before — interactions captured on body camera footage and witnessed by his family.
Attorney Crump issued the following statement:
“It is deeply troubling that, despite Rhyker Earl’s pleas for help while in the midst of a medical emergency, he was restrained and sedated in front of his family in a manner that raises serious questions. The Lake County Coroner’s findings do not address the concerns surrounding the handling of his case. To that end, the family’s attorneys have formally requested the coroner’s complete file and will have it reviewed by an independent forensic pathologist to ensure full transparency and accountability.
“Our investigation will also focus on the actions of police officers who escalated a medical emergency by restraining Rhyker face down in handcuffs for an extended period, as well as the actions of EMTs, who administered sedatives without monitoring his vital signs. We owe it to Rhyker and his family to uncover the full truth and hold all responsible parties accountable for this tragedy.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
