Man Broke Spine Before Dying In Johns Hopkins Psych Ward: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — A man whose January death was ruled a homicide this week died of a broken spine days after police took him into custody and transported him to The Johns Hopkins Hospital for evaluation, according to a Baltimore Banner report.

Baltimore police on Thursday said a medical examiner ruled the January death of 63-year-old Paul Bertonazzi a homicide, according to a news release. Bertonazzi was taken to Johns Hopkins by police on Jan. 7 for evaluation and died at the hospital five days later, police said.

In a news release, police said Bertonazzi suffered "trauma to the body" and that his death remains under investigation; however, an incident report obtained by the Banner revealed more details about the incident.

Baltimore police initially encountered Bertonazzi when officers were called to a Burger King located in the 1200 block of Orleans Street for a report of a man experiencing a behavioral crisis. When officers arrived, they found Bertonazzi threatening to harm himself and others, police said.

Police described Bertonazzi as combative and he refused treatment once medics arrived at the scene.

Officers put handcuffs on Bertonazzi and as they tried to put him in a patrol car, he complained of neck pain and said he couldn't bend it, the report obtained by the Banner said. He was ultimately placed in a police wagon before he was taken to Johns Hopkins and turned over to the hospital staff, the Banner reported.

Once at the hospital, Bertonazzi was taken to the psychiatric ward in a wheelchair and placed on a transfer board as security guards attempted to remove his handcuffs, the report said.

At that point, according to the Banner, Bertonazzi was no longer moving. He died five days later.

The medical examiner's office told police a break of his spine caused his death, the report said.

The police officers involved in the incident have been cleared by state prosecutors of any wrongdoing in connection to Bertonazzi's death, the Banner reported.

In a statement provided to the Baltimore Sun, a Johns Hopkins spokesperson said they were aware of Thursday's information released by police.

"While we cannot discuss any individual patient's care due to patient privacy laws, we can assure you that we are committed to providing the safest and highest quality of care for all patients," the statement read. "We will cooperate fully with the authorities as they proceed with their investigation."

Anyone with information can contact police at 410-396-2100.