Family of Ryker Earl demand justice after death during medical emergency | Full Presser

Rhyker Earl, 26, suffered a seizure on the night of Sunday, Sept. 8, at a home in DeMotte, Indiana, about an hour and 15 minutes south and east of Chicago.
Earl's grandmother called 911 for help, and Jasper County, Indiana, sheriff's officers came to the home. The family said when Earl was still recovering from his seizure, he was confused and agitated and fell into an officer.
"Deputies placed Mr. Earl in handcuffs for his safety and that of the medical providers," Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson Sr. said in a statement. "Mr. Earl was in an excited state and did not respond to pleas from deputies or his family to remain calm."
The family said officers pinned Earl face down on the floor on a pillow.
Williams said the video captured on officers' body-worn cameras showed that officers put a pillow under Earl's head to prevent injury. Earl's breathing was not restricted, he said.
"The video clearly shows deputies were restraining Mr. Earl by his legs, arms, and shoulders," Williamson said. "Per training, deputies were holding him in such a way that would not restrict breathing, and Mr. Earl was vocalizing during the entire incident."
Earl's aunt, Miracle Gawlinski, said he pleaded for his life.
"He was still face down in a pillow, handcuffed, officers on top of him, administering sedatives for a lengthy period of time while I was there, begging, pleading, crying: 'I can't breathe! Help me!'" Gawlinski said.
After about 15 minutes Earl went limp, and Gawlinski said she noticed Earl was turning blue. An EMT took his pulse, and he was not breathing, she said.
Earl was taken off life support on Sept. 10.
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