Police to investigate death of Deaf man

A Levin man who died after police told him he was to be arrested has been named this morning as 65-year-old Godfrey Easton writes Mathew Grocott for Manawatu Standard reported by Stuff.co.nz (10/02/12).

The neighbour who called police to Mr Easton's house said he was misunderstood.

Judy Shelland lived next door to Mr Easton and called police on Tuesday evening after an argument during which he kicked her door.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said that, after neighbours were spoken to, police told Mr Easton he would be arrested, at which point he collapsed.

"He hadn't been physically arrested," she said.

"He had been advised he was going to be arrested."

Ms Shelland said Mr Easton was deaf and had difficulty communicating with people.

While they had had arguments in the past few weeks, she was sad he had died.

He had at times been yelled at in the street because he could not talk, she said.

"He was clean and tidy, well dressed. It's sad he's gone," Ms Shelland said."

Mrs Perks said police were called after a report that a person was being disorderly at an address in Bristol St about 6.30pm.

"There was some sort of dispute with someone that lived nearby," she said.

"It's not clear at this stage what that was over.

"The complainant rang up to report that this other individual was behaving in a disorderly way," Mrs Perks said.

Another neighbour, Edith Farrand, said she heard yelling on Tuesday evening but did not know what was being said.

Ms Farrand said she "broke down and cried" when she found out Mr Easton had died.

She moved to the street three weeks ago.

"I got on with him quite well," she said.

Mrs Perks said police were investigating what had happened. An Independent Police Complaints Authority investigation would also take place, standard practice when a person dies immediately following contact with police.

Police were at the flat throughout yesterday, investigating the scene. Mr Easton's body was removed about 2.40pm.

After Mr Easton collapsed, police called for an ambulance and placed him into the recovery position but his condition deteriorated and attempts by ambulance staff at the scene to revive him were unsuccessful.