SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Two Illinois medical workers from LifeStar Ambulance Service, Inc. were charged Monday with first-degree murder in the December 18 death of a man in Springfield, Illinois.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright filed charges against Peggy Jill Finley, 44, and Peter J. Cadigan, 50. Acts by Finley and Cadigan resulted in the death of Earl L. Moore Jr., 35, Wright said at a news conference Tuesday morning.
Footage captured by police cameras shows Finley and Cadigan strapping a Moore face down onto a gurney.
Moore was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. after being transported to a local hospital.
He died of “compression and positional asphyxia due to lying prone face down on a paramedic transport bed/stretcher by tight straps across the back,” said Sangamon County coroner Jim Allmon on Tuesday.
Finley and Cadigan, according to the criminal charges read by Wright, “knew, based on their training, experience and the surrounding circumstances, that such acts would create a substantial likelihood of great bodily harm or death.”
How it unfolded
An original call came in at 2:02 a.m. for a residence, Police Chief Ken van Springfield Scarlette said. That call indicated that several people with weapons were in the home.
Upon arrival, Scarlette said, three SPD officers spoke to a female resident who said Moore was suffering from hallucinations due to a medical condition. The female was a relative of Moore.
The officers were invited to the residence and within minutes of meeting Moore, they radioed for an ambulance, Scarlette said.
Officers met Finley at the door and relayed information to her about Moore’s condition, Scarlette said.
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Finley treated Moore “badly and didn’t give him the care, compassion and respect he deserved,” added Scarlette. Moore was not treated medically at the home, he said.
Scarlette said paramedics told Moore that if he wanted to go to hospital he should walk to the stretcher, which was outside the house.
It was the officers, Scarlette said, who took turns bringing Moore out and placing him in “a recovery position,” essentially lying on his side on the gurney.
That, he said, transferred the concern to the EMTs.
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Scarlette said the three officers waited for Moore to load into the ambulance before cleaning up the crime scene.
“They literally threw (Moore’s) hands back and tied him up. He couldn’t move when he wanted to and he’s lying face down,” said Teresa Haley, president of the NAACP’s Springfield branch and the state director. “They showed no sympathy for this person. He should be alive today.”
Scarlette also praised the officers for handling their part of the call.
“They recognized that this person was suffering from an unknown medical condition and their mindset immediately focused on compassion, empathy and patience,” Scarlette said.
‘That was my brother’:Moore’s relatives tell his story
‘Heartbroken’
A statement from Black Lives Matter SPI said it was “heartbroken to hear about Moore’s senseless murder” and supported the legal action being taken against Finley and Cadigan to hold them accountable.
The statement added: “Unfortunately, this incident shines a light on how dangerous it can be for the black community to seek treatment and receive medical care.”
Haley said as he looked at the bodycam footage reminded her of the murder of George Floyd.
“I believe (the EMTs) treated (Moore) rougher because he was black,” Haley said after the press conference. “It was hostile to see the video and how they treated it.”
Roger D. Campbell, LifeStar’s president, said the company had no comment due to the ongoing investigation.
cost
Finley and Cadigan are being held in the Sangamon County Jail with $1 million bonds. Both live to be 20 to 60 years old behind bars if convicted.
The Illinois State Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
Follow Steven Spearie on Twitter: @StevenSpearie.
