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Smiley Caused Own Death
Reggae star Smiley Culture died from a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest during a police raid at his home, according to an inquest held at Woking Borough Council’s civic offices June 12 to July 2.
The verdict supports the finding of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which in April 2011 said no officers involved should face criminal charges.
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Police had claimed the 48-year-old London-born musician stabbed himself with a kitchen knife as officers searched his house in connection with a drug investigation.
The musician’s family claimed the police account was “bizarre.” In April 2011, a month after the singer’s death, thousands had marched through London to support the call for a public inquiry into the incident. On the final day of the inquest, the jury of five men and six women took 12 hours and 52 minutes to reach their majority verdict.
It found that the singer, real name David Emmanuel, died from a single stab wound to the heart while police executed a search warrant at his Surrey home in March 2011.
The jury also echoed the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s criticism of the raid.
“David Victor Emmanuel took his own life. Although the tragic events of 15 March 2011 were unforeseeable, giving one officer the responsibility of supervising Mr Emmanuel and at the same time the premises search book was a contributory factor in his death,” the jury foreman explained.
Coroner Richard Travers said he would suggest changes to police on improving supervision during home searches.