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DA Clears 20 State Troopers In MA Suspect's Death

Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett speaks during a press conference, releasing investigative findings in the arrest and death of Kenneth Howe. Howe, of Worcester, was arrested after a struggle at a sobriety checkpoint in North Andover. [AP]

WORCESTER, MA – Police did nothing wrong when they busted a 45-year-old Worcester man who died hours after resisting arrest, Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett has found.

“While Mr. (Kenneth) Howe had injuries associated with a strenuous physical struggle, he did not have any associated with purposeful hitting,” Blodgett said. “The medical evidence also shows that Mr. Howe suffered from a heart condition and high blood pressure that contributed to his death.”

The 20 state troopers and other officers involved in Howe’s 2009 arrest “did everything correctly,” Blodgett said, releasing the results of an 11-month probe.

Last November, Howe was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint in North Andover. He was carrying nearly 200 Oxycontin pills and more than eight ounces of marijuana.

After a struggle, Howe was arrested and transported to the state police barracks in North Andover.

When he arrived, officers noticed he wasn’t breathing. He was later pronounced dead at Lawrence General Hospital.

Howe’s family has said he was beaten by police and filed a civil rights lawsuit against officers involved in his arrest. Attorney Frances King said the family will address the report today.