Medical Examiner: Man's death in police custody ruled a homicide

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Medical Examiner has ruled the death of a man in police custody a homicide.

45-year-old Ronald Singleton was in the back of a cab at E. 51st Street and 5th Avenue just after midnight on July 13th when a police officer approached the cab because the driver said he had an irate passenger.

The driver said Singleton was irrational, cursing, and screaming, causing alarm.

The officer called for backup. A Lieutenant and other officers responded to the location, along with ESU personnel.

Singleton was restrained and placed in a protective body wrap by ESU officers.

Police declared Singleton an emotionally disturbed person and EMS transported him to Bellevue Hospital.

Singleton went into cardiac arrest while in the ambulance, causing the ambulance to re-direct to Roosevelt Hospital. He was declared dead at the hospital.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the manner of death as a Homicide which was caused by the "physical restrain by police during excited delirium due to acute phencyclidine intoxication." "Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Obesity" was also determined to be contributing conditions.

The Medical Examiner's determination of a homicide does not rule on intent, only that his death was at the hands of another person.

None of the officers involved in his restraint face disciplinary charges at this time.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is also investigating this case.

The Singleton family released a statement through its attorney, Bonita Zelman, saying, "The NYPD officers involved in the death of Ronald Singleton must be held accountable. The Manhattan District Attorney should now immediately convene a grand jury."