Medical examiner rules Haverhill man’s death during police struggle was a homicide

The death of a man who died in a struggle with Haverhill police in July has been ruled a homicide.

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Thursday that Francis Gigliotti died from a heart issue due with “acute intoxication due to combined effects of cocaine and ethanol while being restrained prone by police,” according to Friday's statement from the Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office.

Seven Haverhill officers were placed on paid leave after the 43-year-old died in the struggle with police outside a restaurant, where the man was allegedly "behaving erratically.”

The investigation is ongoing, according to Tucker's statement.

“In determining whether the actions of the police officers were reasonable and justified under the circumstances in light of the applicable legal standards, we will be carefully reviewing all of the medical examiner’s findings, along with all other pertinent information surrounding this incident,” the district attorney’s office said.

Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett cautioned in a statement that the homicide ruling by itself does not determine whether the police officers' actions were unlawful.

She noted the investigation into the the incident is ongoing and "no conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is complete."