Lawsuit Alleges Excessive Force in Death of Former NFL Running Back

The parents of former NFL running back Doug Martin filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday in federal court alleging that Oakland police officers used excessive force and delayed medical care during a response to a mental health crisis last October. The complaint states that officers held Martin face down while pressing on his back, and that this restraint was a substantial factor in his death at age 36.

It also accuses the ambulance company of contributing to the outcome through delayed care. Attorney John Burris, representing the family, said the lawsuit is intended to determine what happened to Martin. He noted that Leslie Martin had called 911 because she believed her son needed medical attention.

Police said at the time that Martin was involved in a break-in and that a brief struggle occurred while officers tried to detain him. The department released several minutes of body camera footage and 911 calls in March showing officers calling Martin by name before a brief struggle and physical restraint.

The Oakland Police Department said Thursday it does not comment on pending litigation and referred questions to the city attorney's office, which declined comment. The department stated the investigation into the death remains ongoing. The lawsuit alleges that after Martin was turned onto his side he was unresponsive, that officers initially thought he was sleeping or pretending to be, and that medical assistance was requested only after he remained unresponsive.