JONATHAN MAGBIE UPDATE:

Last week I reported that the D.C. medical examiner declared Magbie's death
an accident and said it was caused by "acute respiratory failure following
dislodgement of tracheotomy tube placed for treatment of respiratory
insufficiency."

Yesterday I asked Beverly Fields, chief of staff to the chief medical
examiner, where and when the dislodgement occurred.

"We are only authorized to release the cause and manner of death," she said.

The D.C. Corrections Department had custody of Magbie from Sept. 20 until
he died on Sept 24. Yesterday I asked the Corrections Department when on
Sept 24 Magbie began having respiratory problems. The department's e-mail
response, a clear brushoff, said that it is cooperating with the
investigation of Magbie's death and that it will give information to
investigative agencies that will determine the facts in the case.

The D.C. Department of Health investigated Magbie's death but has not
released its report. Yesterday I asked the department if the "accidental"
dislodging of the tracheotomy tube occurred at the D.C. jail facility, in
the ambulance or at Greater Southeast Community Hospital, where Magbie
died. Briant Coleman, the department's public information officer, was
authorized to say, "The incident is currently being reviewed."

Yesterday, I asked the hospital whether the dislodging of Magbie's
tracheotomy tube occurred at that facility. Joan Phillips, chief executive
officer of Greater Southeast Community Hospital said, "This is now a legal
case. Our attorneys are handling it as such. I cannot comment at this time."