Disturbing video released publicly for the first time on Tuesday shows California Highway Patrol officers forcing a man accused of driving under the influence to provide a blood sample. That man, 38-year-old Edward Bronstein, ended up dying in police custody on March 31, 2020 after uttering the chilling words, “I can’t breathe.” State officials wouldn't release the video of his death until the Bronstein family sued last year and a federal judge forced the state to release the footage during discovery, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Bronstein’s death came just under two months before George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020. Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the Black father’s neck for more than nine minutes despite him informing officers that he couldn’t breathe, igniting national protests.
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“The state of California did not want us to release this video,” Luis Carrillo, an attorney representing the Bronstein family, told the Los Angeles Times: “Thank God that the judge agreed with us, and that’s why you can now see this video ... It’s horrible, but it is the only way his family can get some justice.”
Carrillo said a sergeant shot the video and that the California High Patrol officers don't wear body cameras. “I suspect they shot this for training purposes and then realized later they had to reveal its existence,” he said.
Warning: This video contains footage of California Highway Patrol officers piling on top of a man who later died. It may be triggering for some viewers.
The 16-minute video shows Bronstein on his knees while an officer in gloves touches the man’s shoulders and another officer off-camera accuses Bronstein of “bringing the fight to this.”
“I’m not fighting it at all,” he said.
The officer responded: “Then, have a seat and provide your arm. This is your last opportunity. Otherwise, you’re going face down on the mat and we’re going to keep on going.”
When officers began to pile on top of Bronstein, he screamed repeatedly, “I’ll do it.” He was under them for almost a minute before he told them that he couldn't breathe, the Los Angeles Times reported. He said the words 12 times in total, according to civil rights attorney Ben Crump’s count. The officers collected his blood sample before realizing he wasn't responding and turning him over. One officer slapped him in an attempt to revive him, and another asked for oxygen to provide CPR, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“Not one officer took the action to pull the others off of him, pull him to the side, do something to give him air,” Michael Carrillo, another attorney representing Bronstein’s family, told the newspaper. “When they finally flip him over, he’s lifeless.”
A Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office attributed Bronstein's death to "acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement.” His manner of death was declared "undetermined."
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