Ruling on jail death may take weeks

8/30/2013

Additional tests are needed before the Lucas County Coroner’s Office can issue a ruling about a man found dead Sunday in the Lucas County jail.

Lucas County Deputy Coroner Maneesha Pandey said it will be eight to 12 weeks before results from a toxicology test and neuropathology examination are available in the death of Scott Plate, 43, of 492 Tilton Dr., Tecumseh, Mich. Those tests should shed additional light on Mr. Plate’s death, she said.

Dr. Pandey said there were no signs of foul play; any injuries he had appeared to be old. Mr. Plate also had health issues, such as a history of seizures, the doctor said.

Mr. Plate was arrested by Toledo police Saturday afternoon for allegedly failing to pay for a meal at a restaurant, and housed in the jail. He was charged with petty theft, obstructing official business, false information to an officer, and disorderly conduct while intoxicated.

According to court records, officers spotted Mr. Plate on Secor Road, near I-475, stumbling and smelling of alcohol. Mr. Plate allegedly provided officers with an inaccurate spelling of his last name and a fictitious birth date.

Details on where Mr. Plate was in the jail when he was found were unavailable. The death investigation is ongoing.