Man sues city of Stillwater over wife's death in police custody

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The city of Stillwater, its police chief and three officers are being sued by a man whose wife died in police custody.<br/><br/>Richard Giannetti says police used excessive force

Friday, July 30th 2004, 5:56 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The city of Stillwater, its police chief and three officers are being sued by a man whose wife died in police custody.

Richard Giannetti says police used excessive force while forcing his wife, Mary Giannetti, to change into an orange jumpsuit.

Mary Giannetti died May 1st, 2003, after fighting with Stillwater police at the city jail.

Richard Giannetti says his wife was delusional and mentally ill when she was arrested for traffic violations, eluding police and resisting arrest.

Stillwater police declined comment on the lawsuit. After Giannetti's death police said she had to be restrained after assaulting a dispatcher while being searched.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation looked into the incident and no charges were filed against the officers involved.