THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411190448
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
A 19-year-old man who jumped headfirst through a second-story window to evade police Thursday night died from ingesting cocaine or from choking on a plastic bag, the state medical examiner said Friday.
William A. Richmond of the 1200 block of 24th St. died at Sentara Hampton General Hospital on Thursday night. A final determination on the cause of death won't be made until toxicology reports are issued, said Bill Roth, spokesman for the Newport News Police Department.
Roth said Richmond did not die from the impact after diving through the window, but from the cocaine or the plastic bag.
``It was one or the other,'' Roth said.
Three police officers had gone to a house in the 1300 block of 25th St. looking for Richmond in connection with a robbery case.
They found him there and went upstairs with him so he could get dressed. While the officers were standing nearby, Richmond suddenly dived through the window.
Two officers struggled with him briefly on the lawn before handcuffing him and shackling his ankles. Moments later, Richmond collapsed, Roth said. by CNB