GBI Investigating Death of Man in Police Custody in Athens

Athens-Clarke County Police said a man suspected of DUI died in custody after being administered a breath test Sunday.

Police said in a news release that John E. Marsden, 60, became unresponsive in the process of taking the test and was pronounced dead later at Athens Regional Medical Center.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death, a standard procedure when a person dies in police custody.

Police said officers responded after 11 a.m. Sunday to a report of a vehicle running over a stop sign and leaving the scene in the area of Kathwood Drive.

Marsden, suspected in the incident, was later arrested and taken to police headquarters for a state-administered breath test.

“While in the process of taking that test, Mr. Marsden became unresponsive,” Maj. Mark Sizemore said in the news release. “Paramedics were called immediately as officers attempted to render aid. Upon the arrival of the Emergency Medical Technicians, they determined Mr. Marsden was not breathing and attempted to resuscitate him.”

Sizemore said there was “no indication of any force issue involved in this incident. The officer administering the test was equipped with a functional body camera. The officer who transported Mr. Marsden also had a vehicle equipped with video. The room in which the incident occurred also had a video camera that recorded the entire incident.”

An autopsy is scheduled.