Coroner’s inquest set to review man’s death

A coroner's inquest has been scheduled to review the case of a man who died Nov. 1 while Las Vegas police officers were attempting to subdue him.

Daniel Morantes, 47, died from cocaine and ethanol intoxication, with contributing factors being an enlarged heart and a physical altercation with law enforcement officers, determined a medical examiner with the Clark County coroner's office.

The manner of death was a homicide, a coroner's office official said Monday. Homicide is a medical term and does not necessarily mean murder.

The inquest, a fact-finding procedure that takes place anytime an individual dies at the hands of law enforcement, is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 11. Jurors will hear witness testimony and decide if the actions of police were justifiable, excusable or criminal.

Morantes was the first of two people who died in the same week while being subdued by Las Vegas police officers. Dustin Boone, 29, died Nov. 3 after police used a neck restraint to take him down. A medical examiner has not determined the cause of Boone's death.

Morantes, a former Texas oil worker who was seeking employment in Las Vegas, was visiting a friend at 500 N. 14th St., south of Bonanza Road.

Police responded to a call at that location about a fight and a man with a knife at 6:22 p.m. Police believed Morantes was the armed man. They took him to the front of a patrol car and began to pat him down.

That's when Morantes began acting "erratic" and "flailing about," according to police.

One officer grabbed Morantes in a hug and the two fell to the ground. Other officers grabbed Morantes' legs and arms and handcuffed him. Medical units were called. They found Morantes had stopped breathing and transported him to a hospital, where he died. Police did not find a knife on him.

The officers involved in the Morantes case were placed on paid administrative leave. They are Shane Black, 27; Steve Morris, 39; Matthew Eschker, 24; and Elvin-Ron Valle, 31. Sgt. Bryan Miller, 41, also was placed on leave. Miller has been with the department since 1996. The officers were hired 2006 or 2007.

Morantes' death was similar to that of 37-year-old James Lewis, a robbery suspect who died in 2006 after police tried to subdue him. A medical examiner determined that Lewis died from cocaine intoxication, with police restraining procedures and an enlarged heart also contributing to his demise.

The manner of his death also was ruled a homicide.

During a coroner's inquest into Lewis' death, a jury unanimously reached a verdict of excusable for the two officers involved.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.