34-year old Ryan O'Loughlin died of a lacerated liver caused by blunt force trauma, according to the Connecticut Medical Examiner's Office which ruled the death a homicide. He died 16 hours after Westerly police arrested him on a disorderly conduct charge. But a grand jury has declined to charge any of the officers involved, finding their actions legally justified.
Providence attorney Mark Dana, who represents O'Loughlin's family, remains convinced it's a case of police brutality.
"I don't know what facts could support this decision," Dana says. "I believe the officers struck him with their batons as they indicated. I believe that they didn't intend to kill but I believe the way they struck him and with the force they struck him his liver was lacerated."
A spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office declined comment, citing state law that imposes a gag rule on grand jury proceedings.
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