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Prosecutor won't seek charges in case of teen who died in police custody

Posted at 9:57 PM, Jan 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-24 21:57:49-05

SILVER SPRING, Md (AP) — A Maryland prosecutor said he isn't asking a grand jury to consider criminal charges in the death of a black teenager who struggled with police officers and experienced "sudden cardiac death."

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Caroline County State's Attorney Joseph Riley said in a statement Thursday that his office isn't empowered to prosecute what he termed "tragic acts." An autopsy report says stress from 19-year-old Anton Black's struggle with three officers and a civilian likely contributed to his death.

Riley cited the report of the chief medical examiner's office. It said in part that while the stress and struggle with police officers combined with Black's mental status and congenital heart defects contributed to his death, there was no evidence officers struck him or applied force to his neck.