Harper Woods police win liability appeal in death of woman in custody

Ed White
| Associated press

Detroit – The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of police, dismissing a lawsuit alleging negligence in the 2020 death of a woman in police custody at Harper Woods.

There wasn’t enough evidence for a jury to decide whether city officers and civilian aides were “grossly negligent” for failing to get medical care for Priscilla Slater, the court said Tuesday as it upheld a judge’s decision in Wayne County revoked.

The ruling might be different if “Priscilla asked for medical attention and was turned down, or if she had responded that she was not well when asked, or if she had shown obvious signs or symptoms of physical discomfort, which were ignored,” the court said. said.

Slater and a friend were arrested in June 2020 after a disturbance involving gunfire at a motel.

There was no doubt that Slater, 37, had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol before her arrest. She died of natural causes in a lockup in Harper Woods about 36 hours later. The autopsy showed that a heart valve had an abnormal shape.

An outside expert told prosecutors that alcohol withdrawal could have been a factor.

Slater’s death caused controversy in Harper Woods. Protesters carrying megaphones and signs marched through the streets, accusing city officials of withholding information. Two police officers were fired after the city said they misled state police who were investigating what happened.

The mayor resigned after saying he understood “why white people would become white supremacists,” a comment apparently made in response to protests by black people. Slater was black.

In 2021, nearly a year after Slater’s death, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said no charges would be filed against Harper Woods police.