Daniel Pentkowski, 53, died at the Bexar County Jail on January 25, 2023. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging San Antonio police used excessive force during his arrest, leading to his death.
The family of a Michigan man who died at the Bexar County jail has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bexar County and the city of San Antonio. Daniel Pentkowski, 53, was found dead in his cell on Jan. 25, 2023. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Pentkowski was found on the floor in the fetal position. He was pronounced dead after emergency personnel arrived. The sheriff's office said Pentkowski appeared to have suffered from self-inflicted injuries that occured earlier that day.
However, the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office said Pentkowski died from being physically restrained, and ruled his death a homicide. The lawsuit filed by Pentkowski's family alleges that during his arrest, a San Antonio police officer used unnecessary and excessive force on Pentkowski that resulted in blunt force trauma. Pentkowski was arrested on charges of public intoxication, retaliation and resisting arrest. According to the lawsuit, Pentkowski and his three siblings had rented a home in San Antonio for a family reunion. On Jan. 23, 2023, Pentkowski was outside the home when he was approached by a police officer for an 'unknown reason,' the lawsuit states. Video taken from a Ring camera shows the officer pinned Pentkowski to the ground using his knee and put his bodyweight on Pentkowski’s back, the according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit does not give the name of the arresting officer. Pentkowski's family members say they believe the injuries Pentkowski received during his arrest led to his death at the Bexar County Jail two days later. They say the jail failed to properly evaluate Pentkowski for any injuries. 'His visible injuries and altered state should have alerted the staff to his injuries and the need for evaluation. Instead, Mr. Pentkowski was placed in a cell and was not properly treated or observed,' the lawsuit states
Wrongful Death Excessive Force Police Brutality Jail Death Bexar County
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