In your opinion, why does, if you could perhaps explain it
in layman’s terms, why and how does Mr. Perez
die, according to you?
Sure. In layman’s terms, he was very agitated due
to his methamphetamine use.
He was hypermetabolic, meaning
he was very — his heart rate was up, his temperature was up.
He was agitated and resisting and struggling.
And on top of that, he had an abnormal heart,
which was enlarged and also had
significant atherosclerotic disease of two vessels
that were up to 80% blocked.
And by his agitation, which creates an acidosis, his
diseased heart and the methamphetamine
with the irritation that also can cause the heart —
all those things contributed to causing
a sudden cardiac event.
Do you believe or is it your opinion
to any degree of scientific certainty
that Mr. Perez would have died of his abnormal heart
condition
but regardless of the encounter
with law enforcement?
With his temperature of 105 and his degree
of agitation and his behavior, I
believe he would have died at some point, yes.