Was it proved that the man died directly from being shoved to the ground though? It was an assault yes, but was it responsible for killing him?
The finding by the inquest jury;
3.42pm: The court was caught unaware by the jury's quick decision. They returned to the room and answered four short questions, known as the inquisition.
What was the name of the deceased?
Ian Tomlinson.
What was the cause of his death? Injury or disease?
Abdominal haemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the abdomen in association with cirrhosis of the liver.
If the person died of injury, what were the circumstances?
Mr Tomlinson was on his way home from work on the 1st of April 2009 during the G20 demonstration. He was fatally injured at around 19.20pm on Royal Exchange Buildings ... This was the result of a baton strike from behind and a push by the officer which caused Ian Tomlinson to fall heavily.
The jury said both the baton strike and the push were "unreasonable".
"As a result, Mr Tomlinson suffered internal bleeding which led to his collapse within a few minutes and his subsequent death." The jury decided that at the time of the strike and push Tomlinson was was walking away from the officer and "posed no threat".
What is the jury's conclusion as to the death?
Unlawful killing.
Thanks to:http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2011/may/03/ian-tomlinson-inquest-verdict-live-blog
When I was in uniform I policed civil disturbances many times the complexity and violence of that demonstration and I can say that I would have found it impossible to justify the assertive action Constable Harwood sadly decided to employ against Ian Tomlinson.
im pretty sure that if you assult someone and they die then it is murder. and ihere is a time line to determin this within the written law.
the pc should be dismissed and imprisoned.