The Tragic Death of Tommie McGlothen Jr.
In April 2020, Tommie McGlothen Jr. lost his life after a violent encounter with police while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. Tommie had left his sister’s home when he was approached by police. Video footage of the incident shows officers brutally punching, kicking, and hitting him with batons. They also used pepper spray and a Taser on him. Despite the clear evidence of excessive force, the police and the medical examiner reported that Tommie’s death was not caused by the violence inflicted upon him but rather by a condition they termed “Excited Delirium.”
However, there’s a major issue with this claim. Excited Delirium is not recognized as a legitimate medical condition by leading health organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, or the World Health Organization. It does not exist in any credible medical or psychological reference.
Moreover, Excited Delirium seems to be disproportionately used to explain the deaths of Black and Hispanic individuals following violent police encounters. In fact, Black and Hispanic people account for 56% of all deaths in police custody attributed to this so-called condition.
The False Diagnosis of Excited Delirium
Excited Delirium is described as a sudden psychiatric condition characterized by extreme agitation, confusion, and aggression, potentially leading to death. It’s been used since the 1980s to justify the use of deadly force by police and to explain the sudden deaths of individuals in custody. However, this diagnosis is not supported by recognized medical authorities and is often employed in a way that conveniently absolves police officers of responsibility.
California has recently banned the use of Excited Delirium as a cause of death, recognizing its misuse and lack of scientific basis. Despite this, many states and law enforcement agencies continue to use it to excuse and obscure the realities of police brutality.
The Case of Elijah McClain
Elijah McClain’s case provides a stark example of how Excited Delirium is used to obscure the truth. In August 2019, Elijah was walking home from a convenience store when someone called the police, claiming he looked suspicious. The police stopped him, placed him in a chokehold, and paramedics injected him with Ketamine, a sedative. Elijah’s death was attributed to Excited Delirium, despite the fact that he had committed no crime and was not behaving in a manner that warranted such a response.
The Pattern of Denial and Blame
The use of Excited Delirium highlights a troubling pattern in how police brutality against Black and Hispanic individuals is handled. Rather than addressing the excessive and often lethal force used by officers, the narrative shifts to blaming the victim’s supposed medical condition, which is not recognized by credible medical authorities.
This practice allows police to evade accountability and perpetuates a cycle of violence and injustice. The deaths of individuals like Tommie McGlothen Jr. and Elijah McClain are not isolated incidents but part of a broader issue where the police’s use of force is inadequately addressed and often justified by unfounded diagnoses.
