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LOCAL NEWS

Recent in custody death similar to one from March

08:43 AM Mountain Standard Time on Thursday, October 11, 2007

By Brian Webb / 3TV

In light of the recent death of Carol Gotbaum at Sky Harbor International Airport, another family has come forward claming their loved one suffered a similar fate.

There are some similarities here.

Both women had pre-existing emotional problems, both on their way to get professional help, but both lost control before they could get that help and both women died after being restrained by police.

The pavement in front of an apartment building on the morning of March 13 was the time and place Doris Watson, 70, died.

A woman we'll call Mary saw some of what happened.

According to information from Doris Watson's family attorney, Watson was bipolar but off her medication.

That morning Watson was fighting with her daughter in the parking lot on their way to see a psychiatrist.

Someone heard the screams and called 911.

Officers got there and wrestled Watson to the ground, handcuffed her behind her back and put a knee between her shoulders.

When paramedics arrived, they noticed Watson wasn't breathing.

But one officer allegedly said, "I tested her, she's faking,"

"The police officers didn't seek help," the witness said.

Michael Manning is the attorney representing Gotbaum's family, the woman who died at Sky Harbor after being restrained by police.

At this point he hasn't sued in Gotbaum's case, but he is suing for the way Watson died.

Mary admits she didn't see what police did to Watson that day, but in her mind she's sure officers weren't the answer.

Watson died of coronary artery disease, but according to the family attorney the physical exertion caused by the struggle with police contributed to her death.

Police won't comment on this case because of the lawsuit.