Special prosecutor investigating death of Bridgewater State Hospital patient

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A special prosecutor is being brought in to investigate the death of a patient at Bridgwater State Hospital, a story first reported by FOX Undercover.

The Boston Globe says Attorney General Martha Coakley has named former prosecutor Martin Murphy to lead a criminal investigation into the death of Joshua Messier. The 23-year old died while being restrained by guards at the prison hospital in 2009, and it was caught on surveillance cameras.

An attorney for the family claims Messier suffocated while guards held him down, pressing on his chest making it impossible for him to breathe.

The state medical examiner ruled Messier's death a homicide, but the Plymouth County District Attorney's office decided that there was not enough evidence to charge anyone with a crime.

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