Death of Salem Man Tased & Restrained by Police, Deemed Justified

Grand Jury findings in death of Gregory Rold‏.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Marion County Grand Jury unanimously found that Salem Police officers were justified in using physical force while attempting to arrest Gregory Anter Rold on May 23rd 2009. The Grand Jury also unanimously found that the physical force used by the police officers did not cause Mr. Rold's death. (see: Suspect Dies After Being Tased During Arrest)

Prosecutor Jodie Bureta says on May 23rd 2009 at approximately 8:01 p.m. officers from the Salem Police Department responded to a trespass complaint at 1251 RoyVonne Avenue SE Apt #5, Salem, Marion County Oregon.

"Upon arrival, officers made contact with the suspect, Gregory Anter Rold and told him that he was under arrest. Mr. Rold refused to comply with the police officers and resisted arrest."

Bureta continued, saying that, "In the course of the struggle to take Mr. Rold into custody the police used physical force, including batons and tasers. Mr. Rold was eventually taken in custody and shortly thereafter, stopped breathing. The officers immediately began administering emergency aid and called for medics."

She says medical help responded and transported Mr. Rold to the Salem Memorial Hospital. At approximately 9:27 p.m., Mr. Rold was pronounced deceased by the attending physician.

"The Oregon State Police were contacted and with the assistance of the Keizer Police Department, thoroughly investigated the incident using the Senate Bill 111 protocol."

Following an autopsy and follow-up testing of Mr. Rold on May 26, 2009, the Oregon State Medical Examiner, Dr. Karen Gunson, determined that the cause of Gregory Rold's death was Sudden Cardiac Arrhythmia Due to Hypertensive Atheroselerotic Heart Disease, Exertion, and Positional Asphyxiation, as well as the contributing factor of Obesity. Dr. Gunson ruled that Mr. Rold's manner of death was accidental.

A total of 15 witnesses testified before the Grand Jury, including the four involved police officers, investigating detectives from the Oregon State Police, the Medical Examiner, and two civilian witnesses. The Grand Jury also heard testimony from members of Mr. Rold's family, including his mother and brother who were eyewitnesses to the arrest.