A man found dead in the back of a Punxsutawney police car last year had been left there for more than five hours, "checked occasionally by borough employees," state police said Monday.

The state attorney general's office said it will not file criminal charges in the Aug. 15 death of Stephen Obbish, 48, though an officer involved in the incident was fired last year.

Police arrested Mr. Obbish on charges of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct about 10 that morning, after a store manager at Goodwill found him lying on the floor in one of the aisles.

"An officer took the victim into custody, moved him to the back seat of the patrol car and transported him to the police station," state police wrote in a news release, offering new glimpses into the case for the first time in months. The police car, an unmarked Chevrolet Impala, was left in the "sally port" area outside the station, with Mr. Obbish inside. Paramedics found him dead about 3 p.m., more than five hours later.

Temperatures climbed into the mid-80s that day, according to weather reports. State police did not say whether the car was running or whether its windows were down. Sgt. Martin Knezovich, listed as the investigating officer, could not be reached for further comment.

An autopsy found Mr. Obbish, who lived in a personal care home, died of a toxic combination of alcohol and his own prescription medications. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.301; the legal limit to drive is 0.08.

On the morning of his death, police said, Mr. Obbish visited briefly with his brother, walked to a liquor store in Punxsutawney Plaza, and purchased a fifth of whiskey. He walked around the plaza until 9:36 a.m., when he entered the Goodwill.

The store manager has said he seemed "lethargic" and could not walk out of the store when police arrived.

State police said they submitted interviews and "physical and video evidence" to the attorney general's office for review.

"The evidence did not support the filing of criminal charges," said attorney general spokesman Kevin Harley, who would not elaborate.

Months after Mr. Obbish's death, the borough fired Detective Brian Andrekovich, a 16-year veteran of the force, citing an internal administrative investigation. Borough officials have not elaborated on the reasons for his dismissal or his involvement in the Obbish case.

Police Chief Tom Fedigan wrote in an e-mail Monday night that he could not comment "specifically about personnel issues where there are ongoing proceedings that have yet to be concluded." He would not comment on the results of the internal investigation, but added, that it is "common for police officers to be subject to discipline ... while not having to face criminal prosecution for the same conduct."

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