LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing police officers who were under investigation for their role in the death of Anthony Hulon in the Lansing lockup last year will not be charged, state Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday.
Hulon, 54, died after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground in Lansing lockup. He had been arrested for suspected domestic violence.
“He was observed having erratic behavior and was believed to have assaulted his roommate,” Nessel said.
In video from the police station, Hulon told officers he couldn't breathe and said he was going to pass out. A medical examiner ruled Hulon's cause of death as asphyxia and a homicide.
After reviewing a report from Michigan State Police, Lansing police reports, an autopsy report and photographs, medical records from Sparrow Hospital and over 40 hours of video, the attorney general's office found insufficient evidence to justify criminal charges.
“The officers in this case did what they were supposed to do under the circumstances,” Nessel said. “I realize that fact provides little comfort to Mr. Hulon’s family as they grieve the loss of their loved one. Our job is to determine whether the officer's actions constituted a criminal act, and we have found no evidence to support criminal charges.”
Hulon's autopsy showed he had amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system. Nessel said evidence shows Hulon may have unknowingly ingested a dangerous substance laced in the drugs.
“The evidence suggests he simply could not control himself or his movements due to the drugs he had previously consumed," Nessel said. "Based on the evidence reviewed, we believe Mr. Hulon, who was reportedly an experienced meth user, may have unknowingly ingested an unknown dangerous substance laced in the meth.”
Hulon's sister filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city which is ongoing.
Lansing Police Chief Daryl Green said Hulon's death was "an unfortunate incident".
"The next step is an internal review to examine the officers' actions and the department’s procedures, equipment and training systems regarding this incident,” said Green.
This announcement also came with findings from an in-custody death in the Muskegon County Jail. Paul Bulthouse, 39, died in March of 2019 after suffering 22 visible seizures over a five and a half hour period in his monitored cell.
“None of the seizure instances were treated by the deputies nor the registered nurse on-site that night even though evidence will show they were aware of the seizure activity,” said Nessel.
Nessel said those involved in Bulthouse's death will be charged with involuntary manslaughter - failure to perform a legal duty, which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
“The defendants willfully neglected that duty and their failure to perform the duty was grossly negligent to human life,” Nessel said.
A link to watch the attorney general's full report can be found here.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
