Death of Massachusetts psych patient ruled homicide

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - The death of a patient who died after a scuffle with guards at a psychiatric hospital run by the Massachusetts prisons department has been ruled a homicide.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that according to the medical examiner's report 23-year-old Joshua Messier suffered "blunt impact of head and compression of chest" while being restrained by guards at Bridgewater State Hospital last May.

Messier, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and paranoia, was brought to a Brockton hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Correction said the handling of Messier was "done in accordance with standard procedure."

The Plymouth district attorney's office is investigating.

Messier's mother said she hopes someone is charged in her son's death.

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe