Orange County prosecutors said Monday they were investigating the in-custody death of a 32-year-old man who got into a fight with Anaheim police officers last week.
Fermin Vincent Valenzuela, 32, died Sunday, after being taken off life support, a week after he became hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
Officers were called about 9:15 a.m. to the 2600 block of West Broadway Avenue on July 2 by a woman who reported that she was being followed home by a man later identified as Valenzuela, Anaheim Police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.
When officers arrived, Valenzuela became combative with officers and when he became medically distressed during the tussle, officers tried to render medical aid and called for an ambulance, Wyatt said.
Valenzuela was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, Wyatt said.
He died a week later after falling into a coma, the family attorney, Garo Mardirossian, said.
Valenzuela's family called the police account into question during a news conference outside the hospital a week before.
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Family members said officers did not quickly make efforts to assist Valenzuela.
"I want justice for him," said his ex-wife, Patricia Gonzalez, who went to the hospital Sunday with their two children, along with Valenzuela's family, friends and an attorney. "I want to know what happened."
The video from body cameras worn by the officers was turned over to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, which will be the lead investigative agency in the matter.
The Anaheim Police Major Incident Review Team also will conduct an investigation, as will the Office of Independent Review, Wyatt said. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is also investigating.
Valenzuela was arrested on charges of possession of narcotics paraphernalia and charges related to resisting arrest.
Mardirossian says he plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Anaheim police.
Mardirossian said Valenzuela was stunned with a Taser by police in the chest, according to hospital records. He said they are planning to sue the taser company, claiming the company did not adequately warn police about the dangers.
He said police should not be using force against someone who had not committed any crime.
"Even if what that lady said was true, that Vincent was following her, that is not a crime in America. We can follow someone all we want," Mardirossian said.
City News Service and Kate Larsen contributed to this report.
