BREAKING NEWS: County DA’s Office is Investigating Parolee’s Death While in JPD Custody

[Editor’s Note: The County DA’s office sent out a follow-up release early Monday afternoon, correcting the spelling for the last name of the deceased as being “Baker” not “Barker” as previously reported.]

A photo of Charles Baker, Jr. – who reportedly died while in the custody of the Jamestown Police Department (Photo from Facebook.com)

JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the death of an adult male who is reported to have died while in the custody of the Jamestown Police Department.

According to a media release from the office of District Attorney David Foley, Charles Barker Baker, Jr., (d.o.b. March 24, 1982 and address not given) was arrested by the Jamestown Police Department on Saturday afternoon, February 16. He was taken in to custody and transported to the Jamestown Police Department.

While being processed an altercation occurred resulting in Mr. Barker Baker being tasered by police. Approximately two hours later Mr. Barker Baker had a seizure and was immediately transported to WCA Hospital. He was responsive at the hospital but subsequently passed away. He was initially found with what is thought to be a considerable amount of cocaine.

An autopsy was performed this morning at the Erie County Medical Center.

The District Attorney indicates that the Jamestown Police Department has been cooperative in the investigation. DA Foley stated “I have instructed my investigator to collect all the information from the Jamestown Police Department, including any video footage of the initial encounter in the Department. We will await the autopsy results before any decisions can be made on how to proceed.”

No other information has been provided. As of noon Monday, the Jamestown Police Department had yet to release a public statement on the incident. [Update: Shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Monday, the Jamestown Police Department did release a police report on the incident involving Charles Baker, Jr]

The Buffalo News had initially reported on the incident earlier today.