New Report Confirms Homicide Likely Cause Of Death In Marcus Smith Case

A newly released medical report verifies that homicide was the primary cause of Marcus Smith's death.

Smith, who was picked up by Greensboro police in September of 2018, later died after being immobilized by officers using a controversial restraining method similar to a hogtie.

The eight-page medical report by the chief medical examiner for the state of Georgia, Kris Sperry, concludes “the manner of death should be classified as a homicide."

But no settlement has been reached in the Smith family's federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.

Members of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, Justice Coalition, and others claim that some city council members continue pointing to Smith's pre-existing health issues, denying any wrongdoing by police. 

At an outdoor press conference in Greensboro on Tuesday, Beloved Community Center Director Nelson Johnson said that rather than settle the wrongful death suit, the city has spent upwards of $600,000 in court to delay any payment to the family.

"He died because he could not breathe," said Johnson. "All of the other factors are smoke screen and diversions. The City of Greensboro acknowledges as much because it says we're ready to settle. It's just that we don't want to settle for much."

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Councilman Justin Outling were unable to respond to interview requests in time for this story.