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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Monday, May 2, 2005

Autopsy set for death in custody

Advertiser Staff

An autopsy will be performed today on a 28-year-old 'Aiea man who died Friday while in police custody.

The medical examiner's office yesterday identified the man as Valatchi Milan.

Police had arrested Milan at his father's home at 99-131 Mikalemi St. after he allegedly punched a firefighter who was with a unit that responded to a 7 p.m. medical call at the home.

Milan had been having difficulty breathing, prompting the 911 call. The firefighter was not seriously injured.

Police took Milan to Castle Medical Center for mental observation. He died at the hospital at 9:48 p.m.

Milan's death was the second last week in which someone died while in police custody. On Tuesday, a 41-year-old Makaha man died during a police arrest.

Ross Hose became unruly while visiting the home of a relative on Makau Street in Makaha.

Relative Adeline Mercer had said Hose tried to throw her television out of a window and was giving her son, Hose's cousin, a hard time. She said she was awakened by her son's calls for help.

Police were called, and while officers were at the home, paramedics were called to the residence three times between 3:45 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. They were sent away twice when police appeared to have the situation under control.

On the third visit, paramedics took Hose, who was in critical condition, to the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Police Chief Boisse Correa said an internal investigation is under way in Hose's death.