Caddo Coroner Says Tommy McGlothen Death Possibly Prevented

Caddo Parish Coroner Dr. Todd Thoma talks to 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about his findings in the recent Tommie McGlothen autopsy and his official statement saying that the death could have possibly been prevented.

The Coroner's findings were released in an official statement Tuesday morning:

"Although Mr. McGlothen’s death has been ruled from natural causes, excited delirium, it is my opinion that this is still a potentially preventable death. When confronted with Mr. McGlothen, it should have been obvious that he needed medical care. He was left in the back of the patrol vehicle for 48 minutes before he was found unresponsive and not breathing. He was predominantly unsupervised during this entire period. After a violent confrontation with psychotic behavior, and being tased several times, a more thorough evaluation by either the fire department or preferably an emergency department would have been indicated. It is my opinion that if Mr. McGlothen had survived, he would have been transported to a medical facility for treatment rather than jail. Why there was a delay in achieving this is at issue."

Thoma tells KEEL listeners that the injuries inflicted by police were not life threatening and McGlothen and, contrary to some reports, suffered no broken bones.

Following his arrest by Shreveport Police on the evening of April 5, McGlothen was placed in the back of a police cruiser and was later found unconscious by officers.. Police attempted CPR but failed to revive him at the scene. McGlothen was pronounced dead just after 2:30am on April 6. He was transported to Willis-Knighton Medical Center on Greenwood Road.