An independent investigation has cleared police officers in Duluth, Minnesota, of any wrongdoing in the death of a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.

David Croud, 29, died last October, a few days after a scuffle with police. He had been drinking and had to be subdued by the officers but Washington County Attorney Doug Johnson said he didn't die due to any injuries he received during the incident.

But the investigation did fault the hospital for its handling of the case. Pat FitzGibbons, a special investigator for the Minnesota Department of Health, said the staff failed to properly care for Croud, who had to be calmed down with the drug Haldol. The autopsy found that Croud died due to the combination of alcohol poisoning and the drug.

Croud was the second member of the White Earth Band to die after incidents with police.

Get the Story:
Reports clear police, criticize hospital in death of arrested man (AP 1/31)
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No police wrongdoing is found in Duluth man's death (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 1/31)
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Relevant Links:
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council - http://www.cri-bsu.org/IA_web/htdocs

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