The info released is quite basic and limited. Frankly, it's not enough information to make ANY inferences as to what exactly happened, and when it happened. Clearly the police are being blamed for either
intentionally, or negligently causing the injuries, but I'm not sure we can logically come to that conclusion YET.
It could be that he sustained a series of injuries such that the first injury (which could have been a result of something that happened intentionally, or inadvertently, directly
before the video), was exacerbated unintentionally by the actions of the police during the van loading and transportation.
Or, perhaps the original injury occurred, and the delay in obtaining medical care, coupled with his cuffs and leg irons, and being jostled about without a seat belt, worsened the injuries.
The police could have caused and known about his injuries, or not known at all, and apprehended him in the usual manner, which inadvertently caused worsening of the injuries. We just have too little information to know, yet.
It is strange that no one has been arrested or charged yet. That says to me that perhaps the mechanism of injury and the sequence of causation is still uncertain. I'd think if it was a clear cut case of inappropriate or excessive force, the officers involved would be fired and arrested. Certainly to try to head off the riots.
I'm including a link about cervical spine mechanisms of injury. I think the whole picture will be much clearer when we know more about the specifics of his injuries.
The one comment in the linked post above is intriguing-- that the pattern of injury is something seen in older people (FG was 25 and presumably pretty healthy.) Was it a flexion or extension dislocation, or something like a burst fracture? Pressure on the back of the neck, while hyperextending the neck? A fall or blow to the top of the head, causing axial loading and a blow out below? Etc.
I'm absolutely certain his medical records and autopsy contain all the relevant info right now. The question is, why all the vague medical information released to the public? The delays in REAL information in these cases are so frustrating! Have a press conference, detail the injuries and expert interpretation of the causation, and make arrests if appropriate.
I hate having to guess at what the injuries are! It delays me forming an educated opinion as to who, if anyone, I think is responsible. Whenever there is a delay in specific information released, vagueness and deflection, or omission, I feel like I'm being manipulated and "played" or pandered to by the media, social activists, and authorities. (But sometimes that's the goal, I suppose. Who knows.)
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/824380-overview