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August 14, 2013

National Down Syndrome Congress

NDSC and NDSS Action Alert   

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In This Issue
Action Alert: Ethan Saylor
 
Capitol Building 
 
 
 
National Down Syndrome Congress
30 Mansell Court
Suite 108
Roswell, GA 30076
[email protected]
800-232-6372/770-604-9500
 

NDSC Day on the Hill   
Governor O'Malley -
We Still Need Answers


Please contact Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland to conduct an independent investigation into the death of Ethan Saylor

Background

Ethan Saylor, a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome, died while being restrained by off duty law enforcement officers. Ethan was attending a movie at a local theater in Frederick County, Maryland - a place he visited quite often. When Ethan verbally refused to leave the theater after the movie ended, mall security was called, and Ethan was restrained face-down. Ethan's staff attempted to intervene to calm the situation and was refused. Ethan's mother, who had been called by Ethan's staff, was within a few minutes of the theater. Instead of picking her son up and taking him home, Ethan's mother was re-routed to the local ER and was met with the devastating news that her beloved son was dead. A grieving family has lost their beautiful son.

 

NDSC/NDSS Advocacy Update

On July 22nd, NDSC and NDSS issued a letter to Governor O'Malley which stated, in part, that Ethan's Fourth Amendment right to be protected against unreasonable seizure was violated by the excessive force used by the deputies and that his rights under the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 were violated. Our organizations believe the Governor has the authority pursuant to Article 5, section 3(a) (2) of the Maryland Constitution to pursue an independent investigation into the homicide of Ethan Saylor. While the letter called for numerous actions to be taken, the Governor has failed to respond to this letter.

 

Action Still Needed

Our organizations commend Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur for joining our call on Governor O'Malley to launch "a full investigation and inquiry" into Ethan Saylor's death.

 

We need our advocates to continue to email, fax, and/or call Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland to demand an independent investigation into the death of Ethan Saylor. We've provided you with a call script and letter/email template below.

 

Call Script Talking Points
Governor Martin O'Malley
Toll-Free 800-811-8336
Office:  410-974-3901 

  • Hello, I am (state name and where you live). I am a (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, teacher, friend) of a person with Down syndrome. I am calling about Ethan Saylor, a man with Down syndrome who died while at The Regal Westview Movie Theaters in Frederick, Maryland in January.
  • I am requesting an independent investigation into Ethan's death, so the facts can come out and those responsible can be appropriately prosecuted.
  • While waiting for his support staff to retrieve their car after the movie, Ethan decided he wanted to remain for another showing. He verbalized to the Officers his intent to remain and refused to leave his seat. The Officers attempted to physically remove him from the theater. He was restrained face-down by three plain-clothes officers moonlighting as mall security. Ethan died from asphyxiation from a crushed larynx while handcuffed. His senseless and avoidable death was ruled a homicide by the Maryland Medical Examiner. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) and The Office of the Frederick County State's Attorney neglected to conduct a thorough investigation of the facts involving the case. A Grand Jury was convened but failed to hand down an indictment against the officers involved.
  • The internal investigation, which found no fault on the part of the Frederick County police officers is not consistent with the facts as reported by witnesses. Ethan's death was senseless and entirely avoidable.

 

Email/Fax Template 

Governor Martin O'Malley 

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 410-974-3275

 

Dear Governor O'Malley:

I am writing as a (parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, teacher, friend) of a person with Down syndrome regarding Ethan Saylor, a man with Down syndrome who died while at The Regal Westview Movie Theater in Frederick, Maryland in January. I am requesting an independent investigation into Ethan's death, so the facts can come out and those responsible can be appropriately prosecuted.  

 

While waiting for his support staff to retrieve their car after the movie, Ethan refused to leave his seat. He was restrained face-down by three plain-clothes officers moonlighting as mall security. Ethan died from a crushed larynx while handcuffed. His senseless death was ruled a homicide, but the Frederick County Sheriff and Prosecutor neglected to conduct a thorough investigation of the facts and the grand jury refused to indict. The internal investigation was not consistent with facts reported by witnesses. Ethan's death was senseless and entirely avoidable.

 

Sincerely,

 

[Insert contact information]

 

If you have questions, contact [email protected]