OAKLAND POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF MAN UNDER ARREST

OAKLAND, Calif. - Police are investigating the death of a man who had
just been arrested for dealing drugs.

A preliminary autopsy found that Patrick Gaston, 34, may have died of
asphyxiation after swallowing a plastic bag of drugs, Oakland police
Sgt. Tony Jones said Friday. The exact cause of death has not been
determined, but Jones said trauma and heart attack were ruled out.

Neighbors and witnesses, including Gaston's mother, said they believe
Gaston was beaten or choked and police did not help him when he
stopped breathing.

Gwendolyn Gaston said her son never resisted arrest.

"He was handcuffed," she said. "He was slammed to the ground, and
they kept beating him. ... They didn't stop beating him until I said
they were killing him."

Gaston said she called 911 because the police didn't help her son,
even when he crumpled to the ground.

Police said Gaston fell to the ground before he was handcuffed and
struggled against six officers as they arrested him for selling
heroin to an undercover officer. The six officers involved were
placed on administrative leave while the department investigates.

Jones said one of the officers hit Gaston on both sides of his body
and kneed him, but he said no one kicked or choked him. The autopsy
found no swelling or bruising on his head, he said.

Gaston had a previous drug-related conviction and was on probation
when he tried to sell heroin to an undercover officer, police said.