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Cocaine abuse could have made de Menezes 'paranoid and anxious' before he was gunned down on tube
Last updated at 06:22am on 17.10.07Traces of cocaine were found in the body of Jean Charles de Menezes, a court heard yesterday.
A pathologist told the Old Bailey that the Brazilian electrician must have taken the drug at some point before he was gunned down by anti-terror police at a London tube station in July 2005.
Dr Kenneth Shorrock said that traces of cocaine were found in Mr de Menezes's urine and a chemical associated with the breakdown of the drug benzoylecognine was found in his blood.
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Chase: Armed plain clothes police pursue Jean Charles De Menezes into Stockwell tube
No other drugs or alcohol were found in the dead man's system, the court heard.
The team leader, codenamed Ralph, at Stockwell station moments during the shooting
He accepted defence suggestions that cocaine can make users act in an aggressive, paranoid and inappropriate way.
But the pathologist said it was unclear if the drug was still active when the 27-year-old, who was mistaken for a suicide bomber, was killed at Stockwell in south London.
Dr Shorrock was giving evidence at the trial of the Metropolitan Police, which being charged under health and safety laws with a 'catastrophic' series of errors leading up to Mr de Menezes's death. The force denies the charge.
Ronald Thwaites QC, defending, suggested cocaine could cause 'distortion of thought processes' and when its effects wear off it can produce anxiety and paranoia.
Earlier, the leader of the firearms team which shot Mr de Menezes choked with emotion as he defended his officers in court.
He told the Old Bailey that despite what happened he was 'very proud' of them.
The officer, codenamed Ralph, said police had been prepared to risk their lives pursuing the man they believed was a suicide bomber. "I hope that's not forgotten," he added.
The trial continues.
Drug abuse: Cocaine was found in De Menezes body, but it was 'unclear' whether the drug was still active
