2 DC Security Guards Charged With Manslaughter in Hospital Patient's Death

Two D.C. special police officers are now facing involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the death of a 74-year-old patient at MedStar Washington Hospital Center last year, according to a report.

James McBride died after a physical encounter with 30-year-old Clifton Montgomery of Bladensburg, Md. and 43-year-old Charles Brown of Fort Washington, Md. last September, according to a WUSA 9 report.

McBride had walked out of the hospital without being discharged, and was confronted by Montgomery and Brown. The men struggled, and McBride died two days later. Authorities ruled that he died from being struck in the neck.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The officers have been removed from the hospital's special police force, according to the report.

A Washington Post report from shortly after the incident indicated that the altercation happened in front of a parking garage on Irving Street. The police report indicated they were trying to get McBride -- who police refused to identify at the time -- back to the hospital, but he refused, resulting in the struggle. McBride was taken to intensive care afterward, and eventually passed away from his injuries.

Image via Wikimedia