INVESTIGATION FINDS DRUG USE KILLED ABUSE SUSPECT

HIBBING, Minn. - Complications from illegal drug use killed a man who died
in the custody of Hibbing police in July, a medical examiner said.

St. Louis County Medical Examiner Thomas Uncini said on Wednesday that
Lionel A. Lewis, 26, of Hibbing, died of agitated delirium due to multiple
drug use, including a large amount of cocaine.

"These people are at a high risk of sudden death," Uncini said. He
described agitated delirium as a syndrome where the affected person is
"babbling incoherently or not communicating."

Lewis had "a very high level of cocaine," some amount of oxicondone, a
depressant, and a small amount of THC, the active element in marijuana,
Unicini said.

He added that "the problem with agitated delirium is restraint can bring on
sudden death."

Because Uncini had seen few cases of agitated delirium before, he asked for
help from Ramsey County medical examiners and ordered extra toxicological
tests.

Virginia Police Chief Dana Waldron said the determination ends the
investigation into the Lewis' death.

Lewis died at the Virginia hospital a few hours after being arrested for
allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Lewis was sprayed with Mace,
handcuffed and shackled after police said he resisted arrest.

Lewis was unresponsive in the back of a Hibbing police squad car upon
arrival at the St. Louis County jail in Virginia. Hibbing officers
administered CPR before paramedics arrived and brought Lewis to Virginia
Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

According to court records, Lewis had a history of complaints and charges
filed against him in St. Louis County, including domestic abuse,
harassment, terroristic threats and property damage.

The death of Lewis, who was black, and the long investigation into his
death sparked allegations of racism against area law enforcement, which
police officials have denied.

Melissa Meyer, 21, of Aurora, with whom Lewis had a daughter, said she
wasn't satisfied with the official explanation and planned to consult with
a lawyer about legal action.

"I do believe they need to take some responsiblity," she said.