Pubdate: Sat, 12 Nov 2005 Source: Tribune, The (CA) Copyright: 2005 The Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391 Author: Associated Press OAKLAND POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF MAN UNDER ARREST OAKLAND, Calif. - Police are investigating the death of a man who had just been arrested for dealing drugs. A preliminary autopsy found that Patrick Gaston, 34, may have died of asphyxiation after swallowing a plastic bag of drugs, Oakland police Sgt. Tony Jones said Friday. The exact cause of death has not been determined, but Jones said trauma and heart attack were ruled out. Neighbors and witnesses, including Gaston's mother, said they believe Gaston was beaten or choked and police did not help him when he stopped breathing. Gwendolyn Gaston said her son never resisted arrest. "He was handcuffed," she said. "He was slammed to the ground, and they kept beating him. ... They didn't stop beating him until I said they were killing him." Gaston said she called 911 because the police didn't help her son, even when he crumpled to the ground. Police said Gaston fell to the ground before he was handcuffed and struggled against six officers as they arrested him for selling heroin to an undercover officer. The six officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the department investigates. Jones said one of the officers hit Gaston on both sides of his body and kneed him, but he said no one kicked or choked him. The autopsy found no swelling or bruising on his head, he said. Gaston had a previous drug-related conviction and was on probation when he tried to sell heroin to an undercover officer, police said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman