New Developments Arise in Frederick County Homicide
By: Katie Kyros
Updated: February 19, 2013
FREDERICK, MD- After a man with Down syndrome died while in the custody of Sheriff's Deputies last month, the Sheriff spoke with WHAG about new developments in the case.
The Sheriff's Office says they've been deluged with calls and emails about this case...concerned about what happened to the man with Down syndrome. The sheriff says the death investigation was sent to the States Attorney Office on Tuesday.
The three deputies involved are now on administrative leave as the investigation continues. Those who knew Ethan Saylor are left with questions about how the three officers handed the nonviolent disabled man.
26-year old Saylor had gone to a movie at Regal Cinemas on January 12. Police say he then refused to leave the theater or buy a ticket, and that's when three off-duty Sheriff's Deputies were called. They worked security.
"In being respectful to the Saylor family he was becoming belligerent, he was becoming loud, he was cursing," says Sheriff Jenkins.
Saylor was then handcuffed. That's when police say he had a medical emergency and died of suffocation. After Saylor's death was ruled a homicide on Friday, public outcry led the Sheriff to put the officers on administrative leave.
"This whole social media thing has really ramped it up to the point of, just going beyond the scope of what's reasonable, I will respond to phone calls, I have responded to phone calls," says Sheriff Jenkins. "I posted the letter on Facebook hopefully to explain to people a little bit about this investigation, it's still open and the status of the deputies."
But the picture of a belligerent Saylor isn't one his friends and family recognize. At Damascus Road Community Church Saylor is remembered as loving and affectionate, who always gave out hugs.
"We officially dubbed Ethan our official hugger, and you know I'm sure as the stories will unfold, he was a very kind young man," says Pastor Richard Fredericks.
The investigation will be reviewed by the State's Attorney's Office and could go to a Grand Jury. Saylor's family noted he had a passion for police and law enforcement. He collected research on all he'd learned about them.
The Sheriff's Office says they routinely handle death investigations and even though the three deputies were involved, there wasn't a conflict of interest.
The Sheriff's Office says they've been deluged with calls and emails about this case...concerned about what happened to the man with Down syndrome. The sheriff says the death investigation was sent to the States Attorney Office on Tuesday.
The three deputies involved are now on administrative leave as the investigation continues. Those who knew Ethan Saylor are left with questions about how the three officers handed the nonviolent disabled man.
26-year old Saylor had gone to a movie at Regal Cinemas on January 12. Police say he then refused to leave the theater or buy a ticket, and that's when three off-duty Sheriff's Deputies were called. They worked security.
"In being respectful to the Saylor family he was becoming belligerent, he was becoming loud, he was cursing," says Sheriff Jenkins.
Saylor was then handcuffed. That's when police say he had a medical emergency and died of suffocation. After Saylor's death was ruled a homicide on Friday, public outcry led the Sheriff to put the officers on administrative leave.
"This whole social media thing has really ramped it up to the point of, just going beyond the scope of what's reasonable, I will respond to phone calls, I have responded to phone calls," says Sheriff Jenkins. "I posted the letter on Facebook hopefully to explain to people a little bit about this investigation, it's still open and the status of the deputies."
But the picture of a belligerent Saylor isn't one his friends and family recognize. At Damascus Road Community Church Saylor is remembered as loving and affectionate, who always gave out hugs.
"We officially dubbed Ethan our official hugger, and you know I'm sure as the stories will unfold, he was a very kind young man," says Pastor Richard Fredericks.
The investigation will be reviewed by the State's Attorney's Office and could go to a Grand Jury. Saylor's family noted he had a passion for police and law enforcement. He collected research on all he'd learned about them.
The Sheriff's Office says they routinely handle death investigations and even though the three deputies were involved, there wasn't a conflict of interest.
