Madison Daily Leader - Coroner's inquest set in Alberty death

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Madison Daily Leader	home : news : news : top stories

Coroner's inquest set in Alberty death

By CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter

10/22/2009

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	Ted Weiland

The Lake County coroner will hold a coroner's inquest into the death of Christopher Alberty of Madison, who died on Sunday while being held at the Lake County Detention Center. Ken Meyer, Lake County state's attorney, announced that the coroner's inquest is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Lake County Courthouse. Ted Weiland, coroner for Lake County, decided to hold the inquest in accordance with state law.

Alberty, 20, was arrested by the Madison Police Department on Oct. 15 on charges of first-degree burglary and aggravated assault. He was held at the county jail on a $25,000 bond.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating Alberty's death.

Weiland said that deaths involving law enforcement personnel typically provide a reason to hold a coroner's inquest.

By South Dakota law, county coroners are instructed to "investigate any human death if a determination of the cause and manner of death is in the public interest." State statute specifically lists all deaths of inmates of any state-, county- or municipally-operated correctional facility as falling within the public interest.

According to Weiland, the coroner's inquest will follow procedures similar to grand jury proceedings. He will preside over the impaneling of three jurors who will hear testimony and review any evidence regarding Alberty's death.

Meyer will present the information related to the death to the jury panel. The jurors are given the responsibility for determining the cause of death and the means by which it occurred. Their decision can determine whether any further investigation is needed.

Weiland said the persons giving testimony at the inquest will be sworn in. The proceedings and outcome of the public hearing will go on the record.

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