MILFORD, Conn. (AP) — A man who died in the custody of Connecticut State Police had been observed at a hospital for five hours the night before he was found unresponsive in a police department cell, state police said Monday.
Authorities identified the man as Justin Griffin, 31, who was pulled over for speeding in Milford on Saturday afternoon and detained when police discovered there was a warrant for his arrest. Officials have not released information about the warrant.
State police, who are investigating the death, said that Griffin became lethargic while being booked at the police station and that officers requested medical attention. He was taken to the Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus, where medical staff observed him for about five hours before he was discharged and taken back to the police department, state police said.
“During a prisoner check at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2020, officers discovered that Griffin was not breathing,” state police said in a statement. “Officers began CPR and Griffin was subsequently transported to Milford Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after 6:00 a.m.”
A message seeking comment was left for hospital officials.
Court records show Griffin had a pending probation violation case in Milford Superior Court related to a 2016 conviction for misdemeanor threatening. His criminal history included an 18-month prison sentence handed down in January 2018 for gun crimes and a 90-day sentence for driving under the influence in 2017.
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