Friends Demand Answers As Investigation Continues Into Death Of Man While In Police Custody
By Diana Rocco
VINELAND N.J., (CBS) – CBS 3 Eyewitness News has obtained new video of the arrest of a Vineland, New Jersey man who died while in police custody.
While prosecutors investigate, friends of Phillip White are demanding answers.
"I miss him so much. I love you Capone."
Candles are lit at a vigil for 32-year-old Phillip White, known to family as Capone. He died earlier this week in police custody. His final minutes caught on cell phone video.
The 15 second video shows White on the ground in the grips of a K-9 and being restrained by Vineland Police. He died on the way to the hospital. But friends say police went too far.
"Beyond excessive force. When you handcuff an individual they're subdued, I don't care if they are under the influence of anything you want to say they are under the influence of, how much can a person do handcuffed," said White's friend Abdul Akbar.
White is told to turn over and handcuffed.
The video ends with an officer trying to confiscate the cell phone.
Friends tell CBS 3 Eyewitness News White, a father of three, struggled with the use of PCP. He was being questioned in response to a disorderly call on the 100 block of West Grape Street Tuesday.
(Emergency Responder:) "He's got my gun, right now."
Scanner traffic indicates White tried to disarm an officer. Off camera a witness told CBS 3 Eyewitness News White had become belligerent.
"He started like getting crazy, yelling," said the witness.
"He threw a roundhouse kick and he missed the officer and the officer obviously tackled him."
"We want those police officers brought up on charges," said a person at the vigil.
White's death has drawn anger from dozens in the community now looking for justice.
"What happened to him is wrong. It's wrong."
The prosecutor's office indicates White was given CPR on the way to the hospital Tuesday, but pronounced dead once he arrived.
Investigators are now awaiting the results of a toxicology and autopsy report before they make a final determination.
