NAACP Probes Black Man's Death in Custody of Myrtle Beach Police

Local NAACP officials are investigating circumstances surrounding a man's death while in the custody of Myrtle Beach Police. Mickey James, president of the Myrtle Beach branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said today ``There are many questions to be answered involving the mysterious death of this man while he was in the custody of Myrtle Beach police.'' State Law Enforcement Division agents and Myrtle Beach police began separate investigations Wednesday after Michael Lee George died at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. SLED was contacted because George was in the custody of Myrtle Beach Police at the time. George, 22, was arrested Friday on charges related to drug possession. After he was jailed he complained he was ill and was taken to the hospital where he remained until he died, police said. Police Chief Warren Gall said and internal investigation will determine whether jail staff members followed department policy. Myrtle Beach city jail has no medical team on staff. The jail calls emergency medical service when someone becomes ill, according to Gall. 'It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to protect people from hurt, harm and danger, while they are in the custody of police.'' James sad the NAACP hopes to complete its probe within about 30 days.[more] and [more] and [more]