There are large holes in the timeline of what happened to Earl McNeil, a man who was hospitalized after being arrested by National City police on May 26. He died a few weeks later. Despite demands from McNeil's family, protesters and the media for police body camera footage and 911 tapes, law enforcement has released very little information.
Here is what we do know about the events that unfolded the morning of May 26 and in the weeks following McNeil's arrest.
UPDATE Sept. 26, 2018: Four months later, the San Diego District Attorney's office released surveillance footage, policy body camera video and 911 calls, as well as McNeil's autopsy. This timeline has been updated to include the new information.
WARNING: Some of the videos in this timeline contain profanities and may be disturbing.
Saturday, May 26, 2018, 5:27 a.m.
Earl McNeil used the telephone in front of the National City Police Department to contact dispatchers.
"McNeil told the dispatcher that he had a warrant, was high and wanted to kill Jesus," according to a police statement.
McNeil then hung up the phone.
KPBS has requested the recording of that call and any surveillance footage from in front of the police station, but has not yet been provided the information.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the San Diego District Attorney's office released the 911 call and surveillance footage.
5:32 a.m.
Officers met with McNeil in front of the station.
UPDATE: In a press conference on Sept. 21, the DA said officers first met with McNeil at 5:32 a.m.
According to a police statement: "McNeil was agitated, made irrational statements, and acted paranoid."
KPBS has requested the body camera footage of police officers' interactions with McNeil, but has not yet been provided the information.
UPDATE: Four months later, the DA released the body camera footage.
5:47 a.m.
McNeil was arrested "for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance," according to a police statement.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said officers arrested McNeil at 5:47 a.m. and placed him in a police SUV.
While arresting him, police officers put McNeil in a WRAP device that kept his arms and legs from moving.
McNeil had drugs on him, according to a police statement, so he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, as well as resisting officers and violating parole.
KPBS has requested the body camera footage of police officers' interactions with McNeil, but has not yet been provided the information.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA released the body camera footage.
7:04 a.m.
McNeil was transported to the San Diego Central Jail for processing. During the transport, McNeil was intentionally hurting himself, according to a police statement.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said McNeil was transported at 7:04 a.m.
KPBS has requested the footage of McNeil when he arrived for booking, but has not yet been provided the information.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA released the surveillance footage from the jail.
7:13 a.m.
McNeil's paperwork was presented and his computer work was started to begin the booking process, according to a Sheriff's spokeswoman. He was rejected from booking "for a variety of reasons" and "remained in the custody of the National City Police Department," she said. She would not provide further details on why he was rejected.
UPDATE: Four months later, the DA said during this evaluation, McNeil had a body temperature of 100 degrees and a elevated pulse of 120 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
7:26 a.m.
During the booking process, McNeil began to display signs of medical distress, according to a police statement.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said after the jail nurse evaluated McNeil, paramedics were called.
7:28 a.m.
National City Police officers called for paramedics.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said paramedics were called at 7:28 a.m.
"McNeil was conscious and continued to interact with staff when paramedics arrived," according to a police statement.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said McNeil was spitting and thrashing while waiting for the ambulance. District Attorney Summer Stephan said before the ambulance arrived, McNeil stopped struggling.
KPBS has requested the footage of McNeil during the booking process, but has not yet been provided the information.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA released the surveillance footage.
7:42 a.m.
"A short time later, while paramedics were attending to McNeil he stopped breathing," according to a police statement.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said McNeil was loaded into the ambulance, but then moved out of it when he stopped breathing at 7:42 a.m.
Paramedics resuscitated McNeil and brought him to the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest.
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, the DA said the ambulance left for the hospital at 7:53 a.m.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
At the request of UCSD doctors, McNeil was taken off life support, according to the family's spokeswoman Tasha Williamson.
Photos the family took of McNeil in the hospital show bruises on his face and head.
Monday, June 11, 2018
McNeil died.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Protesters disrupted a City Council meeting in National City, demanding the resignation of National City Police Chief Manuel Rodriguez, the release of police body camera footage, McNeil's autopsy and a federal investigation into his death.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Protesters again disrupted a City Council meeting, this time with a "die-in" protest. Six people were arrested for disrupting a public assembly.
The City Council chambers were cleared. Outside City Hall, law enforcement gathered wearing riot gear.
September 21, 2018
UPDATE: Four months after McNeil's arrest, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office released his autopsy. It ruled his death as a homicide.
The same day, District Attorney Summer Stephan said she would not hold National City police officers or San Diego County Sheriff's deputies liable for McNeil's death.
Listen to or watch reporter Claire Trageser explain the Earl McNeil investigtion.
Reporter: Claire Trageser Video & Photography: Claire Trageser, Matt Bowler, Kris Arciaga Editor: Sarah Moriarty Web Producer: Chris Underwood UX Designer: Susana Tsutsumi Additional reporting contributed by Jade Hindmon
