Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General has completed its review of the investigative file into the 2013 death of James Adell and has determined there is insufficient evidence to reopen the case for further investigation or criminal prosecution. Adell was 34 years old when he died following an encounter with Hagerstown Police.
Police were first called to the neighborhood on June 23rd, 2013, after receiving a report that a man had entered a home twice without permission. Officers were unable to locate the man at that time. Later that night, additional 911 calls reported a man jumping fences, entering backyards, yelling that people were trying to shoot him, and attempting to open the doors of parked vehicles.
Witnesses later identified the man as Adell, who was also seen waving his arms, acting erratically, and lying in the street while talking to himself. An officer attempted to speak with Adell, but he walked away and continued behaving incoherently.
Police eventually took Adell into custody, and authorities say he resisted attempts to restrain him, including kicking at officers. During the struggle, officers noticed that Adell was no longer breathing. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead the following day. An autopsy found cocaine and THC in his system. The Attorney General’s Office says the available evidence does not support reopening the case.
By: Dianah Gibson
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