The family of former NFL running back Doug Martin has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Oakland, alleging excessive force by police played a substantial role in his death last year.
Douglas and Leslie Martin filed the suit this week, naming the city, responding officers, and an ambulance company as defendants.
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They seek to uncover the full circumstances surrounding their 36-year-old son's death on October 18.
Attorney John Burris, representing the family, said litigation is the best mechanism to get answers.
Oakland PD initially reported that Martin was involved in a break-in and died after becoming unresponsive during a brief struggle with officers.
The family maintains Martin was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time.
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Body camera footage released earlier this year shows officers restraining Martin after tracking him down. The clip depicts a struggle, but several minutes of video were not released.
According to the lawsuit, Martin was held face down as officers pressed on his back, and the family believes this restraint contributed to his death.
When officers turned him on his side, they thought he was sleeping or pretending, and only called for medical help after he remained unresponsive.
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The family also criticizes paramedics, claiming they took more than 15 minutes to respond and did not rush to provide care upon arrival.
Initial autopsy results have not been released, as the family requested further review.
Burris stated a second autopsy was conducted, and a pathologist determined that restraint asphyxiation was the cause of death for now.
Burris revealed the family sent Martin's brain to the Boston University CTE Center, noting the disease might explain his behavior that night but not his death.
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Martin was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft and played seven seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
