Coroners Inquest: Man Who Died in Antioch Police Custody Ruled “Accident”

by ECT Oct 7, 2016

written by ECT Oct 7, 2016

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announced that a Coroner’s jury yesterday reached a finding in the February 5, 2016 death of Wendell Jerrold Celestine Jr. of Pittsburg. The finding of the jury is that the death was an accident.

The incident occurred at the end of E. 6th Street in Antioch where Celestine was contacted by Antioch police for having an outstanding parole warrant. Celestine resisted arrest and was combative with officers–assaulting two officers.

An officer placed a carotid hold on Celestine in order to gain control of him and he became unresponsive. Officers were able to handcuff him and seconds later he regained consciousness and became combative again, kicking at officers. While officers restrained Celestine’s legs he became unresponsive again.

Medical aid was given and Celestine was transported to the hospital where he died.

The Coroner’s jury reached a verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matt Guichard.

A Coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:

Accident
Suicide
Natural Causes
At the hands of another person, other than by accident

Here is the information from Feb 8, 2016.

As the Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office continue to investigate an early morning in custody death on February 5 new details have been released.

The death of Wendell Celestine, 37 of Pittsburg, occurred at E 6th Street in Antioch just after 3:00 am where police took him into custody. Police say while they attempted to take Crestine into custody, he fought violently with officers.

Once the officers were able to restrain Celestine, an ambulance was summoned to the scene to treat him for injuries sustained during the fight with officers. As the ambulance arrived the subject began having some sort of medical distress and life saving measures were taken.

Celestine was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased.

According to information released Monday morning:

On February 2, 2016 at 10:40 pm, officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Gary Ave. and Biglow Dr. The front passenger fled from the vehicle and into the Bidwell school campus.

Officers gave chase and lost the subject. Approximately one hour later, officers responded to the listed address on an unknown subject who had gained entry into an occupied house and was bleeding from his mouth and would not stop shaking.

The residents did not know who the subject was. Officers arrived a short time later and determined the subject was the person who had earlier ran from the vehicle.

The subject 37 year old Wendell Celestine was uncooperative and it was determined he had a no bail parole warrant. Celestine was suffering from hypothermia as he was hiding in a creek bed with only shorts on.

Celestine was admitted into a local hospital.

Police stated that on February 3, at approximately 8:20 pm, Celestine walked out of an area hospital against doctor’s orders after being admitted the day before. The hospital notified the Antioch Police Department.

Officers responded and searched for Celestine who was wanted on a parolee at large warrant and has a long history of violent crimes and drug offenses. He was not located by officers until February 5 where they took him into custody and died.

Because this is considered an in custody death, the county protocol was invoked. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, the Contra Costa County Crime Lab and the Antioch Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the facts surrounding this incident.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Vanderpool with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6988. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH

ECT

Publisher of EastCountyToday and host of several Podcast Shows... if you can, please hit the donate button and show support.

Delta Report: Fishing Rolls as Fall Bite Continues to Provide Opportunity

1 comment

Nick Oct 7, 2016 - 3:46 pm

“He fought violently with the officers.” Then he walked out of a hospital against doctors orders. What an idiot.

Comments are closed.

Coroners Inquest: Man Who Died in Antioch Police Custody Ruled “Accident”

Delta Report: Fishing Rolls as Fall Bite Continues to Provide Opportunity

Spare the Air Alert Issued for Saturday in the Bay Area

You may also like

1 comment