Six Mexican policemen held in American's death in Baja

Six Mexican officers have been placed under house arrest on suspicion of homicide after an American man died in police custody in the resort city of San Jose del Cabo, a prosecutor said.

Baja California Sur state deputy prosecutor Omar Barajas said the officers were placed under house arrest Sunday while authorities investigate. He identified the victim as a 38-year-old man from Oregon, but the U.S. Embassy could not confirm his name or hometown, according to this Times wire report this morning.

The man was arrested Wednesday after he was involved in a fight at an apartment complex and died in jail hours later, Barajas said.

A medical examiner recorded minor bruises on the man's face at the time of his arrest, but more were found on his body after his death, the prosecutor said. Surveillance video and witness statements indicate that officers struck the victim, Barajas said.

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-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City