MartinLeeAnderson.com

Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, who died of suffocation at the hands of Charles Helms Jr, Henry Dickens, Charles Enfinger, Patrick Garrett, Raymond Hauck, Henry Mcfadden, Joseph Walsh II, Kristen Schmidt. Martin died after enrollment at Bay County Boot Camp in January of 2006. Dr Charles Siebert ruled Martin Lee Anderson died of complication of sickle cell trait, manner of death was natural causes. Forced ammonia inhalation and occlusion of the mouth suffocated Martin Lee Anderson. The ammonia caused a spasm of the vocal cords, the hand of the mouth blocked Martin Anderson’s airway.
Charles Helms Jr
Henry Dickens
Charles Enfinger
Patrick Garrett
Raymond Hauck
Henry Mcfadden
Joseph Walsh II
Kristin Schmidt


Ammonia

A major difference between Dr. Adams finding and that of Dr. Sieberts, is ammonia capsules and occlusion of the mouth causing suffocation. Setting aside the manual occlusion, Dr. Siebert apparently gives no prudence to the prolonged use of the capsules in his determination as to cause of death. In fact, on the Burnie Thompson Show on Talk Radio 101 Dr. Siebert stated "you could use them all day long" when referring to use of ammonia capsules. Basically inferring there is no harmful effect. There has been a never ending debate over the manner at which the guards administered the caplets. Burnie Thompson and others like to mention that professional athletes use ammonia caps all the time, for a "pep-up". What Mr. Thompson has failed to admit, there are absolutely no similarities in the methods of administration in that of a professional football player, and that which Martin was made to endure. For instance, the athlete would just take a quick "snort" of the cap and that is it, and of course he is a willing participant (unless of course he has fainted). Martin on the other hand, was forced to inhale ammonia for a considerable amount of time, while being unable to take air through his mouth.

As far as Dr. Sieberts claim, "you could use them all day long...". Amusing statement considering how the phrase "based on science", has been thrown around. In the last year and a half there have been countless claims leveled about the harmless use of ammonia capsules by supporters of the accused.

To help me better understand ammonia capsules, I spoke with David Robinson, Vice President of the James Alexander Corporation. This product is intended to be used only to prevent or treat fainting. "It is important to follow the directions with any drug... should only be used for a moment." Mr. Robinson stated that are in fact known reactions. One possible adverse reaction can be difficulty breathing. When asked if it was, in his professional opinion, safe to use ammonia capsules as a disciplinary tactic? His response, "absolutely not". Responding to the idea of forced inhalation while clamping the mouth shut for a period of 2 to 4 minutes, Mr. Robinson said, "that would be completely inappropriate... it would only exacerbate any reactions". Through the course of our conversation he made it clear that forcing the ammonia capsule on someone in this manner is not safe by any stretch of the imagination.

According to Mr. Robinson, there is no data on the actual length of time the concentrate inside the capsule will continue to evaporate ammonia. What he did state very clearly, it was longer than "a matter of seconds". "definitely longer than 10 or 20 seconds... a couple of minutes, at least...." He noted environmental conditions. Basically it would last longer, closed in your hand, than it would laying in your open palm.

Mr. Robinson informed me that concentrate is 17.5%, and that every 1%, is 10,000 parts per million (ppm). So at 17.5%, the concentrate is 175,000 ppm.

Click here to read Material Data Safety sheet prepared by Mr. Robinson, it can also be found on their website here.

The information provided by David Robinson tends to do more than discredit the assertion that ammonia capsules are completely harmless, it also adds some "science" to Dr. Adams findings were so many say there is none.

Below is an excerpt from the "AMMONIA HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDE No. 37 " by IPCS

"It is possible that repeated exposure to irritant levels insufficient to cause severe immediate symptoms may give rise to progressive impairment of lung function"

"The effects of ammonia on human beings are mainly due to its alkaline corrosiveness. Severe vapour exposures may leave a residual restrictive defect in lung function. Strict adherence to an occupational exposure limit of about 20 mg/m3 (25 ppm) and care in the handling of solutions and liquid ammonia effectively prevent health effects." - Click here to read this report

-Excerpt SPECIAL MASTER’S FINAL REPORT – SB 2968

Dr. Shairi Turner, the Department’s Chief Medical Director, testified that, “if you have to cover someone’s mouth to make sure they are getting ammonia then you should not be using ammonia.” (Deposition of Dr. Shairi Turner, taken as part of State Attorney Ober’s investigation;
6/29/06)

Dr. Shairi Turner, DJJ’s medical director, testified that ammonia capsules should not be held under the nose, but rather should be waved there only for a moment. She testified that the individual’s mouth should not be held shut. She testified that any other method of application was inappropriate.

The reason Mr. Robinson and others such as Dr. Turner feel the way they is likely because they know ammonia is an irritant, and its corrosive action can cause inflammation and lead to pulmonary edema. Even in low concentrations ammonia irritates the respiratory system.

"From a clinical perspective, ammonia typically produces physiologic symptoms at around 20 parts per million..."

The fact is, ammonia does not work on person who is truly unconscious. If there is no immediate response, there will not be one, and this indicates a more serious medical problem then fainting.

Quick Links

What Happened - 10/17/07
Autopsies - 11/01/07
Court of Public Opinion - not available
Matter of Law - 10/03/07
Ammonia Facts - 10/03/07
Sickle Cell Trait and EHI - 10/10/07
Dr. Siebert 10/13/07
Dr. Adams
Dr. Andrews 11/26/07
Dr. Gravenstein 11/29/07
Dr. Downs 10/29/07
Dr. Steinberg 11/27/07
Dr. Eichner
Science for Suffocation - Must read 10/10/07

This site is dedicated to the memory of Martin Lee Anderson. For information, send mail to justice@martinleeanderson.com