CELL DEATH BLAMED ON COCAINE

TWO FORENSIC doctors told a coroner's inquest yesterday that the death
of a man in police custody in 2003 may have been caused by swallowing
a bag of cocaine.

Dwight Haughton, 32, died in a police cell at 31 Division on Jan. 3,
2003, a few hours after he was arrested on charges of obstructing
police, possession of cocaine and failing to comply with a court
order, the inquest heard yesterday.

Dr. Toby Rose, a forensic pathologist, performed a post mortem on
Haughton on Jan. 6. She testified that she found "no evidence of
injuries" other than a bruise at the back of his head, which
apparently occurred when Haughton went into convulsions and banged his
head on the cell floor.

Dr. Rose told coroner's counsel, Satinder Besrai, that she found both
a rock and a bag of cocaine in Haughton's digestive system.

Further tests showed the presence of THC, the active ingredient in
marijuana, in Haughton's blood.

Rose said she concluded Haughton died as a result of "cocaine
toxicity."

Court heard that Haughton and two other men were pulled over at 5:45
a.m. on Jan. 3, 2003 by Const. Anthony Lamanna, a Toronto police dog
officer, for a traffic violation on Jane St. at Wilson Ave.

A "crack pipe" was spotted on the driver's side floor and the two of
the three men were taken into custody.

The inquest continues.