DECATUR-Marty Earl Whisman, 49 of Columbia, South Carolina appears to have died from a heart attack. The final ruling by the coroner has not been made by Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn. Autopsy results for Whisman came back as “pending” due to the toxicology tests having not been completed, but early findings did show heart problems with the deceased.
Whisman was arrested and jailed in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 30th on charges of Public Intoxication and resisting arrest outside of Geno’s Pub in Decatur. When Jailers tried to awaken Whisman the next morning, around 5:00 am he was unresponsive.
During the intake screening it appeared to the staff that Whisman seemed to be in good condition and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs police officials noted. During his booking photo Whisman told jailers that he suffered heart problems as well as high blood pressure. He had medications on his person indicating theses conditions he also had nitroglycerin, which he was allowed to keep in his cell.
Police said Whisman was arrested after he tried to pull his daughter away from officers when they arrested her on a charge of public intoxication in the Geno’s parking lot. Whisman did not resist his own arrest, police said.
