MILFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut man who died in police custody Sunday had fallen and injured his head a day before his arrest, according to his relatives.
Justin Griffin’s twin sister and grandmother told WTNH-TV on Monday that he fell about 12 feet from a ledge and hit his head Friday, a day before Milford police arrested him during a traffic stop. They said they did not blame police for his death.
“Justin had a long road in his life,” his grandmother, Arlene Bender, said. “He did the best he could. We’re very sad. Justin was a good person. He had a good heart.”
Milford police pulled Griffin over for speeding Saturday and arrested him on a warrant charging him with failing to register with the state’s deadly weapon offender registry.
Police said Griffin became lethargic while being booked and he was brought to the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus. He was examined and observed for five hours before being discharged back to police at about 11 p.m., officials said.
An officer checking Griffin’s cell discovered he was not breathing shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. Police performed lifesaving measures, but Griffin was later pronounced dead at the same hospital.
Hospital officials declined to comment about Griffin’s treatment, citing an ongoing investigation.
State police are investigating his death.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.