GREENSBORO, N.C. - Emotions ran high at Greensboro's City Council meeting Tuesday night, as friends and supporters of a man who died in police custordy demand answers. They want accountability from the city after Marcus Deon Smith died in September.
The autopsy from the Medical Examiner's Office released days ago showed several factors in his death including cardiac arrest due to restraint, drugs and an underlying heart condition.
Tuesday evening, 35 people signed up to speak to council, specifically about Marcus Smith. They say he didn't deserve to die and how the officers who responded to the man running in and out of traffic had no clue, how to handle the situation. Many said the case lacked transparency.
"You appear to have kept the case of Marcus Deon Smith as dark as possible for as long as possible," one speaker said.
"If you feel we are all equal - treat his case as such. You have the ability to hold people accountable," stated another.
Before the speakers took to the podium, Mayor Nancy Vaughan addressed the room to talk about possible changes with the police department. The Greensboro Police Department is now looking into bringing in mental health experts to help on calls involving people dealing with a crisis or under the influence. GPD also changed its policy on the device that was used to restrain Smith.
"On Friday, the Chief of Police issued a special order..that the maximum restraint method called the RIPP Hobble, commonly referred to as hogtying - is no longer being used to tie the hands and feet together," said Mayor Vaughan.
But those words were not enough for most.
Speakers called on the council to fire Police Chief Wayne Scott, as well as the officers in the police body camera videos that were released last week.
Councilwoman Hightower called for an independent investigation, and getting rid of any restraint device, that involves a rope. Other members of council also offered remarks, generally saying this case highlights much needed changes across the board.
The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into this case, and is set to release the report to the Guilford County DA's office by the end of the week. Previously, the DA's office said the officers acted within the scope of their duties.
► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App now