The Associated Press
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - Mountlake Terrace police are blameless in the death of a man who struggled with officers after he crashed a birthday party, Snohomish County prosecutors say.
Based on an investigation by Everett police, none of the Mountlake Terrace officers will face prosecution in the death of Randall H. Dobbins, 49, of Seattle, deputy prosecutor Mark Roe announced last week.
The county medical examiner ruled previously that Dobb ins died of a heart attack from acute intoxication with cocaine and methadone, Roe added.
Investigators said Dobbins crashed a party Sept. 4 at the Creekside Apartments in Mountlake Terrace, kicking and damaging a sliding-glass door and hurling a coffee table before being confronted by the woman who rents the unit.
He stopped breathing during a struggle with police after he was found nearby, and paramedics were unable to revive him, officers said.
“The officer never hit Mr. Dobbins or roughed him up. One minute he was struggling, and then suddenly he stopped breathing,” Roe said. “I can’t find fault in how police handled the situation.”