New York, August 19 (RHC)-- In news from upstate New York, an autopsy report obtained by The New York Times determined that the death of a prisoner from the Fishkill Correctional Facility four months ago was a homicide caused by a "physical altercation with corrections officers."

Samuel Harrell, an African-American prisoner with bipolar disorder, died on April 21 after as many as 20 corrections officers kicked, punched and dragged him down a flight of stairs while he was handcuffed, according interviews conducted by The New York Times.

According to reports, officers called an ambulance and told the medical crew Harrell may have overdosed on synthetic marijuana, known as K2. Harrell died that night in a nearby hospital.