ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 25, 1993                   TAG: 9307250112
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MIAMI                                LENGTH: Short

MIAMI FIRES POLICEMAN FOR USING CHOKE HOLD

The city fired a policeman whose choke hold left a man in a coma, costing the city at least $7.5 million.

Carl Seals was informed of his firing in a letter from Police Chief Calvin Ross, who cited a psychological evaluation that said the 11-year police veteran had serious mental problems and was "not fit for duty." The decision comes just a month after Miami paid the family of Antonio Edwards the largest police-brutality settlement in its history - at least $7.5 million, and probably much more in future medical costs.

Edwards has been unconscious since Jan. 3, 1992, when Seals choked him as several other officers tried to put handcuffs on him. Seals was suspended with pay that month and since has been paid more than $60,000 without working.

- Associated Press 


 by CNB