pexels-pixabay-236380Nyota Koya, 66, Died In Police Custody Following Arrest For Allegedly Trespassing At Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (January 29, 2025) – A 66-year-old woman identified as Nyota Koya has tragically died after being placed under arrest by the Sacramento Police Department.

Sacramento County officials are saying that the incident began on November 16. Nyota Koya was asked to leave the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento after allegedly trespassing.

Officers came back around 11:30 AM the next day and found that the woman was still on the property. She reportedly declined assistance that had been called earlier that same day.

Authorities later placed her under arrest for trespassing. After a brief struggle, she was placed in the back of a patrol car.

Nyota Koya later became unresponsive in the police vehicle. She was transported to the hospital in order to receive medical treatment.

Despite lifesaving care, she later died at the hospital on November 24. A full investigation into the death remains ongoing at this time.

 

Legal Considerations for Sacramento County Police Deaths

Thousands of people are injured every year due to force by law enforcement. Women have increasingly become the victims of these encounters. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, “Women accounted for an alarming 31% of all people experiencing the threat or use of force by police, and over half of women (51%) who experienced threat or use of force in their most recent police interaction reported that such conduct by police was “excessive,” a result which is up a significant 8 percentage points from the last survey in 2018.” There are a number of ways that a police department may use excessive force.

  • Police officers may strike, punch, or hit suspects who are already restrained or otherwise compliant.
  • Police officers may place suspects in an illegal chokehold that restricts their breathing.
  • Police officers may place suspects into prone positions for extended periods, which can increase the risk of positional asphyxia.
  • Police officers may misuse tasers or pepper spray.
  • Police officers may shoot a suspect merely because they were attempting to flee.

Police departments have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. They must be particularly mindful of situations where a suspect is vulnerable due to health conditions or for other reasons. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of any statute, law or ordinance, causes a citizen of the United States to be deprived of their rights secured by the constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any police shooting.

  • Body camera footage from all officers involved should be reviewed.
  • Medical records related to the death should be collected.
  • Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
  • An experienced civil rights attorney should be contacted.

Police departments often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if one of their officers injures or kills a suspect. When they investigate themselves, they will nearly always come to the conclusion that they didn’t do anything wrong. But the fact of the matter is that many in-custody deaths are completely preventable. In many situations, officers will apply their body weight to restrain a suspect for extended periods. Many people have died in this way.

 

Investigating Sacramento County Police Custody Deaths

 

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Nyota Koya. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is deeply shameful that a woman in her 60s would die in the custody of law enforcement for allegedly trespassing. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies down the road. There are so many questions that remain unanswered.

Do you need more information about a Sacramento County police death? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and the police departments are held accountable for their unconstitutional actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after an incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.

 

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