Medical Examiner Rules Death Of Man 'Hogtied' By Greensboro Police A Homicide

The state medical examiner has ruled the death of a Greensboro man who died after being "hogtied" by police a homicide.

On September 8th, the Greensboro Police Department responded to a report of a man running through traffic, apparently disoriented and suicidal. That man was Marcus Deon Smith.

Police used what's known as a hogtie restraint on Smith, a controversial method of immobilizing a suspect. He died about an hour after being moved to the hospital.

Now, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner says that method of restraint, along with Smith's history of heart disease and the presence of alcohol and drugs in his body, contributed to his death. The autopsy classifies his manner of death as a homicide.

In a statement sent after the release of the medical examiner's report, a spokesperson for the City of Greensboro said city leaders are in the process of filing a petition for the release of the police body camera footage from the incident.

"Due to the multitude of factors that led to tragic circumstances for Mr. Smith, detailed in the NC Department of Health and Human Services Medical Examiner report, the City of Greensboro believes there is a compelling public interest to share the video," the statement said.

Both the Greensboro Police Department and Guilford County District Attorney have already cleared the responding officers of any wrongdoing, saying they acted within the scope of their duties at all times.

A State Bureau of Investigations case regarding the incident has not been released.