LIST OF DEATHS FOLLOWING USE OF STUN WEAPONS IN US LAW ENFORCEMENT - JUNE 2001 TO 31 AUGUST 2008
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LIST OF DEATHS FOLLOWING USE OF STUN WEAPONS IN US LAW ENFORCEMENT JUNE 2001 TO 31 AUGUST 2008
Amnesty International Publications
First published in 2008 by
Amnesty International Publications
International Secretariat
Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
London WC1X 0DW
United Kingdom
www.amnesty.org
Copyright Amnesty International Publications 2008
Index: AMR 51/146/2008
Original Language: English
Printed by Amnesty International, International Secretariat, United Kingdom
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the
publishers.
Amnesty International is a global movement of 2.2 million
people in more than 150 countries and territories, who
campaign on human rights. Our vision is for every person to
enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and other international human rights
instruments. We research, campaign, advocate and mobilize
to end abuses of human rights. Amnesty International is
independent of any government, political ideology, economic
interest or religion. Our work is largely financed by
contributions from our membership and donationsLIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AR ankle restraints B black BB bean bag BT baton CH chokeholds COD cause of death H hispanic HB hobble HC handcuffs HG hog-tie LR leg restraints ME medical examiner MO multiple officers MOD mode of death PR restraint in prone position PS pepper spray R restraints (unspecified) RC restraint chair SM spit mask W white
LIST OF DEATHS FOLLOWING USE OF STUN WEAPONS IN US LAW ENFORCEMENT JUNE 2001 TO 31 AUGUST 2008 This report lists all the cases known to Amnesty International where individuals are reported to have died in the USA after being struck by police Tasers between June 2001 and 31 August 2008. All of the cases involved the use of M26 or X26 Tasers. The list records the cause of death in each case where known to the organization, including the findings of medical examiners who listed the Taser shocks as a causal or contributory factor in the deaths or have ruled out the Taser. Amnesty International reaches no conclusions as to the cause of death in all these cases, and acknowledges that the list includes some cases where the deaths can likely be attributed to drug overdoses or other factors. Amnesty International has included all reported cases in this list because of the continued controversy surrounding the issue and medical concerns about the safety of such weapons and because it believes the Taser cannot necessarily be excluded in all cases where medical examiners cite other death causes. This document accompanies the report ‘Less than lethal”? The use of stun weapons in US law enforcement (Index: AMR 51/010/2008) issued on 16 December 2008. In both documents, use of the word Taser refers to one of more products of TASER International under the TASER® trademark. Other conducted energy device (CED) technology is also on the market, including products under the Stinger® trademark. The concerns described in Amnesty International’s report ‘Less than lethal’? apply to all such weapons.
Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Mark Burkett 18 B Alachua County FL COD: “acute exhaustive mania” (no drugs Collapsed as he was being restrained.
17/06/2001
(AUT) Jail in system) Unresponsive, CPR initiated
Alachua
immediately. Placed on life support in
No
4
hospital and died four days later.
Marvin Hendrix 27 B Hamilton Police OH COD: Cocaine abuse Exact role of Taser in demise is He lost consciousness approx. two
17/12/2001
(AUT) Department MOD: Accidental unknown as this individual could have minutes after tasered and became
Butler
No
2
R
died from cocaine toxicity alone apneic. Pronounced dead in hospital.
(autopsy report).
Steven Vasquez 40 H Fort Lauderdale FL COD: toxic combination of medication Cardio-vascular disease. Shocked during altercation with police
(AUT) Police drugs. escorting him out of bar. Taken into
21/12/2001
Department MOD: Accident custody; died four days later (no
Broward
No
6 information on time lapse between
Taser use and medical distress)
Vincent Del’Ostia, 31 W Hollywood Police FL COD: Cocaine toxicity History of drug abuse, asthma, and He stopped breathing 30 secs after
12/02/2002 27/01/2002
PR, AR, HC
Broward
(AUT) Department MOD: Accident bipolar disorder restrained. Resuscitation unsuccessful.
No
2
Anthony Spencer 35 Philadelphia PA Cocaine overdose autopsy result. “Conscious and talking on way to
Philadelphia
Police hospital” at first but died on way to
knife
Yes
PS
Department 1 hospital
Henry William 46 B Nassau County FL COD: Cocaine toxicity Coronary atherosclerosis. "The death Was shocked while handcuffed, lying
27/03/2002
Canady MOD: Accident occurred during or shortly after a prone. After shocking did not move and
HC, PR
Nassau
(AUT) physical altercation and the exertion could not be revived. Pronounced dead
No
6
and stress may have contributed to at scene.
his death."
Richard Baralla 36 H Pueblo Police CO COD: Cardiac arrest occurring during Possible contributing factor: Chronic Went into arrest at scene. Efforts at
17/05/2002
HB, HC, PS
(AUT) Department excited delirium necessitating restraint. thyroiditis consistent with resuscitation at scene and at hospital
Pueblo
MOD: accidental. Hashimoto's thyroiditis. were unsuccessful and he was
No
2
pronounced dead a short time later.
Eddie R Alvarado 36 H Los Angeles CA COD: Sequelae of methamphetamine and Autopsy does not provide sufficient Tasered, placed prone on floor, hobble
(AUT) Police cocaine use, status post restraint medical evidence to conclude or restrained and subsequently found to
Department including Taser use. autopsy report states: exclude that Taser per se contributed be in pulmonary arrest with weak pulse
“The circumstances indicated a temporal to the death. and was pronounced dead on arrival at
01/06/2002
HC, HB. PR
Los Angeles
relationship between restraint, including hospital.
No
Taser application, and his 5
cardiopulmonary arrest".
MOD: undetermined.
Jason Nichols 21 B Oklahoma City OK COD: Head trauma Other significant conditions: Multiple Suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest
15/06/2002
PS, HC, BT
(AUT) Police MOD: Homicide contusions, lacerations and abrasions. approx. 13 minutes after arrival in
Oklahoma
Department (No evidence of natural disease, no hospital.
No
2
drugs found)
Fermin Rincon 24 H Fontana Police CA COD: Acute cardiac arrhythmia, due to Stunned with Taser, punched and put
San Bernardino
(AUT) Department methamphetamine abuse. in lateral vascular neck restraint before
27/06/2002
MOD: Natural collapsing. Cardiac arrest at scene.
CH
No
3 CPR unsuccessful. Pronounced dead in
hospital.
Clever Craig 46 B Mobile Police AL COD: cardiac dysthythmia during episode Clinical history of paranoid Died shortly after struggle with police.
(AUT) Department of excited delirium and following electrical schizophrenia and valvular heart
28/06/2002
shock from Taser while resisting arrest. disease.
barbell
Mobile
Yes
MOD: Homicide COD indicates temporal No trace of recreational drugs in 3
link between cardiac arrest and shock. system.
Gordon Randall 37 W Orange County FL First autopsy: Positional asphyxia ME quotes as saying he believed Stopped breathing in ambulance. Died
Jones (AUT) Sheriff's secondary to application of restraints in Taser shocks contributed to death. in ER.
19/07/2002
PR, G, HC
Department setting of acute cocaine intoxication. County requested second opinion
Orange
No
MOD: Accident. from another coroner who concluded 12 min
Second autopsy: Cocaine overdose death primarily from cocaine.
Johnny Lozoya 34 H Gardena Police CA COD: Hypoxic encephalopathy following ME: "One cannot exclude the Taser Having seizure on sidewalk. Shortly
(AUT) Department cardiopulmonary arrest, due to, or as a causing the ... damage to the tissues, after second shock from Taser he went
consequence of cocaine intoxication specifically the heart. Thus, the MOD into cardiac arrest. Pulse re-established
needing restraint. Complications include could not be determined." at scene but remained comatose.
20/07/2002
Los Angeles
AR, HC
hyperthermia, tachycardia, increased Pronounced dead in hospital 4.5 hours
No
protein and chemical change levels in the 2 later.
blood indicating heart and renal failure.
Frederick Stevens 44 W Volusia Police FL COD: cardiac arrhythmia, due to cocaine Restraint Shocked as resisted arrest following
01/09/2002
Department induced agitated delirium with restraint. fight at campsite. Police noticed he
HC, PR
Webber (AUT)
Volusia
No
MOD: Accident. 2 had stopped breathing after
handcuffed behind back.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Stephen L. 59 W Olympia Police WA COD: probably cardiac arrhythmia due to, Other significant conditions: Diabetes Shoplifting suspect shocked when
Gun (believed to
be reaching for)
Edwards (AUT) Department or as a consequence of, atherosclerotic Mellitus and obesity walked away from police and again
07/11/2002
Thurston
and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. during struggle on ground. Police
Yes
MOD: Natural 4 noticed had stopped breathing after
handcuffed face-down on ground.
Joshua Alva 22 W San Diego Police CA COD: Anoxic/ischemic encephalopathy due Under influence of methamphetamine Fell unconscious at scene. Revived but
Hollander Department to resuscitative cardiac arrest due to went into cardiac arrest in ambulance -
10/05/2003
(AUT) incised wounds of wrists and right hand. approx 30 minutes after shocked.
San Diego
MOD: suicide. Never regained consciousness. Died 2
CH
No
2 days later after care was withdrawn.
BB, MO, BT, HC, PR, PS, AC
Timothy Sleet 44 B Springfield MO COD: Asphyxial death secondary to prone Drug induced agitation. Combative, Handcuffed and held prone after
(AUT) Police restraint syndrome and phencyclidine. face-down pressure to chest tasering. Lost consciousness.
Department MOD: Accident Pronounced dead at scene after
09/06/2003
unsuccessful attempts at resuscitation.
Greene
knife
Yes
2
Troy Dale Nowell 51 W Amarillo Police TX COD: Cardio-pulmonary arrest during Contributory cause: arteriosclerotic After tasered and handcuffed was
(AUT) Department violent struggle with restraint (negative for and Hypertensive heart disease. placed still breathing on the ground
04/08/2003
drugs) History of Bi-polar disorder but shortly afterwards went into cardiac
Potter
No
BT
2 arrest. CPR unsuccessful. Died within
hour of arriving hospital.
Walter C. Burks 36 B Minneapolis MN COD: Sudden, unexpected death Became unresponsive but still
PS, R, HC, PR
07/08/2003
Police associated with cocaine excited delirium breathing while face-down on ground,
Hennepin
Department and coronary atherosclerosis. after which tasered while still limp and
No
2
restrained. Died shortly after arriving in
hospital.
John Thompson 45 Zilwaukee Police MI ME found death from natural causes heart disease Reportedly tasered in his apartment,
08/08/2003
Department (heart disease) then fought with guards in intake
Saginaw
section of jail, put in isolation cell
No
3
where found dead later the same night
Gordon Rauch 39 Sacramento CA Heart failure, due to “excited delirium”, Reported to have gone limp after
17/08/2003
Sacramento
Police Taser ruled out as cause of death. No officers handcuffed him, taken to
Department 2 hospital where died
Ray Charles Austin 25 B Gwinnett County GA COD: Hypoxic encephalopathy due to History of mental illness. ME's After being tasered on 24 September
(AUT) Jail cardiopulmonary arrest due to hyperactive addendum to autopsy May 05: close and injected with Haldol, strapped into
or agitated delirium associated with temporal relationship between Taser restraint chair whereupon "it was
physical restraint. and onset of cardiorespiratory quickly determined" he had "become
26/09/2003
Gwinnett
RC, DG
MOD: undetermined. compromise implies Taser at least unresponsive". Pronounced dead in
No
(Negative for drugs) partially responsible, but deprive 3 hospital. Life support removed on 26
cause-and-effect neither conformed September.
nor refused (Autopsy report).
Richard Glenn 37 W Glendale Police CO COD: Cardiac arrest during cocaine- pulmonary edema, mild Became limp after last Taser shock.
Leyba (AUT) Department induced agitated delirium necessitating atherosclerosis Paramedics noticed he had stopped
(Paramedic report) restraint. breathing and was pulseless while
29/09/2003
MOD: Accident being wheeled to ambulance. Attempts
Arapahoe
at resuscitation were unsuccessful and
No
5
was pronounced dead on arrival at
hospital.
Roman Gallius 40 Brea Police CA COD: cardiac arrest due to acute History of coronary artery disease According to press reports, after 2nd
21/10/2003 11/10/2003 07/10/2003
Pierson Department methamphetamine intoxication. Taser he was handcuffed and “after
Orange
PR
No
2 about a minute” police noticed he was
not breathing.
Dennis D. 31 W Oklahoma City OK COD: Acute methamphetamine Injuries from bean bag shots and Stopped breathing couple minutes
Oklahoma
Hammond (AUT) Police intoxication. Taser are significant but did not have after restrained following shocks.
BB
No
Department MOD: Accident an immediate role in death. 5 Pronounced dead in hospital.
Louis Morris (AUT) 50 B Orange County FL COD: Cocaine excited delirium Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease Reportedly still agitated and talking
AR, HB, HC
Sheriff's MOD: Accident after Taser but died minutes later, after
Orange
No
Department 1 placed in handcuffs and ankle
restraints.
James L. Borden 47 W Monroe County IN COD: Cardiac dysrhythmia secondary to Past medical history of bi-polar, Transported to hospital in full cardiac
06/11/2003
(AUT) Jail hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension and heart disease, arrest where aggressive resuscitation
Monroe
pharmacologic intoxication and electrical diabetes unsuccessful. Pronounced dead in
No
3
shock. hospital.
MOD: Accident
HG, PR. MO, DG
Kerry Kevin 31 W Pembroke Pines FL COD: Positional asphyxia due to hogtying no alcohol, narcotics or other Stopped breathing and no pulse at
10/11/2003
O’Brien, (AUT) Police and prone restraint in an individual recreational drugs found in system. scene after restraint.
Broward
Department displaying excited delirium. History of asthma, depression (autopsy notes he continued to struggle
No
6
MOD: Accident after being tasered)Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Michael Sharp 32 B Oklahoma City OK COD: acute congestive heart failure due to Other significant contributions: Stopped breathing approx 2 mins after
10/11/2003
Johnson (AUT) Police cocaine induced cardiac arrest. agitated delirium, physical exertion. shocked. Transported to hospital in full
Oklahoma
Department MOD: Accident cardiorespiratory arrest. Placed on a
No
5
ventilator and died approx 22 hrs later.
Lewis Shanks King 39 B St Johns County FL COD: Cardiac arrest during prone restraint heart disease, stress and physical Still struggling after tasered but went
09/12/2003
HC,AR, PR
(AUT) Sheriff's Office due to hypertrophic and ischemic exertion during arrest into cardiac arrest at scene while
St Johns
cardiomyopathy. restrained face-down. Could not
No
2
MOD: Accident resuscitate, pronounced dead less than
1.5 hrs later.
Curtis Lawson 40 Unadilla Police GA ME: cocaine in bloodstream and not ME report states Lawson Police say continued to fight after
09/12/2003
Department because of the shocks had an enlarged heart, which being shocked; after about 15 minutes
Dooly
delivered by the Taser. Ruled accidental contributed to while waiting for transportation
No
PS
2
his death. suddenly ceased breathing at scene
David Glowzcenski 35 Southampton NY COD: ME: "Excited Delirium" due to "acute History mental illness; twice Suddenly stopped breathing at scene.
12/02/2004 04/02/2004
HC, PS, PR
Village Police exhaustive mania due to schizophrenia" institutionalised previously Couldn't be revived. Suffered repeated
Suffolk
No
Department 9 shocks, pepper spray and officer knelt
on back.
Raymond L. 40 Minneapolis MN ME listed a number of causes of death, He lived in a home for the mentally ill Suffered cardiac arrest shortly after
Hennepin
Siegler Police including preexisting conditions of and reportedly suffered from shocked. Remained in coma until he
No
Department hypertension and heart disease. paranoia. 2 died when taken off life support 6 days
later.
William Lomax, 26 Las Vegas NV COD: cardiac arrest during restraining Significant contributing factors: Stopped breathing as lay face-down on
(transcript of Metropolitan procedures (including Taser, exertion from phencyclidine intoxication and stretcher shortly after being repeatedly
coroner’s inquest) Police drugs and physical struggle, and fact he bronchial pneumonia shocked. Placed on ventilator and died
Department was on stomach, further restricting next day without regaining
21/02/2004
breathing). Coroner jury verdict: means by consciousness.
HC, PR
Clark
which deceased met his death was a
No
7
combination of drugs, restraining force
and the use of the Taser.
Curtis Rosentangle 44 Kitsap County WA COD: “excited Delirium” due to “acute Signs of “substance induced “stabilized”, taken to hospital where
Sheriff's cocaine intoxication” psychosis” died “some time later”. One witness –
21/02/2004
Department officer had knee in back of his neck
Kitsap
HC
No
4 “Then just sort of went limp” (Seattle
Post Intell.)
Terry L. Williams 45 Madison Police IL Coroner’s jury determined COD was an Blood alcohol level three times the Police said he was “conscious and
Department accident caused by “sudden death legal driving limit. alert” when they left his home but was
associated by marked agitation and shocked in police car when refused to
physical restraint” stop banging head against window.
Halfway through the four block journey
28/03/2004
Madison
to the police station W stopped talking
HC
No
3 and lay down in the seat. At the
station he wouldn’t get out of the car
then officers noticed he was
unresponsive.
Melvin Samuel 38 Houston County GA COD: positional asphyxia. MOD: Shocked when became uncooperative
Jail accidental. in booking section of jail for unpaid
16/04/2004
driving ticket. Placed face-down in
Houston
AR, PR
No
3 restraints in cell and shortly after
deputies noticed he wasn’t breathing.
Robert Allen 45 Little Rock Police AK
17/04/2004
Department
Pulaski
No
4
Alfredo Diaz (AUT) 29 H Orange County FL COD: LSD induced psychosis with "Contributing significant condition": They noticed he was having trouble
18/04/2004
Sheriff's hyperthermia. subdued by police with struggle and breathing after second dart and
Orange
Department MOD: accidental. tazed." (3 Taser shocks with multiple handcuffed. Lost consciousness at the
No
PS
3
pulses over 4 minutes) scene. Pronounced dead at hospital.
Eric Wolle 45 Washington MD COD: Cardiac arrhythmia in setting of Diagnosed bipolar schizophrenic Lost consciousness at scene efforts to
27/04/2004
Montgomery
machete
Grove Police acute psychosis and physical restraint. revive him failed.
MO, R
Yes
Department 2
Henry J. Lattarulo 40 W Hillsborough FL COD: cocaine induced agitated delirium. History of mental illness, drug abuse Stopped breathing at scene shortly
screwdriver and scissors
(AUT) County Sheriff's MOD: Accidental and heart disease after handcuffed. CPR unsuccessful.
Department
Hillsborough
22/05/2004
BT, MO
Yes
4Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Frederick Jerome 31 B Gwinnett County GA COD: Hypoxic encephalopathy due to History of epilepsy, non-compliant Noticed to be in cardiac arrest
Williams (AUT) Jail cardiorespiratory arrest of uncertain recently with medicine. ME moments after placed in restraint chair
etiology. Addendum to autopsy (Aug 05) notes following Taser shocks (incl. to chest).
27/05/2004
MOD: undetermined. the close temporal relation between Placed on ventilator in hospital and
Gwinnett
RC
(no drugs or alcohol) Taser and cardiac arrest implies Taser 5 min pronounced dead in approx 36 hours
No
potential contributory factor but later after removed from ventilator.
inconclusive.
Daryl Lavon Smith 46 B Fulton County GA COD: "other metabolic problems" that may Died six hours after sheriff’s deputy
01/06/2004 30/05/2004
Sheriff's have played more of a factor in his death used Taser on him.
Fulton
No
1
N
Department than the Taser
Anthony Carl Oliver 42 B Orlando Police FL COD: Cocaine excited delirium. Enlarged heart Still struggling after Taser strike. Had a
(AUT) Department MOD: accidental cardiac arrest on stretcher shortly after
Orange
No
5 to 8 subdued by police. Died after 23 hrs
on a respirator.
Jerry Pickens 55 Jefferson Parish LA COD: Brain Haemorrhage "The Taser didn't kill him…[it] just Died from head injury after Taser shot
Jefferson Parish
04/06/2004
Sheriff's caused him to fall" - Robert Treuting, caused him to fall on ground and hit
Department Jefferson Parish Coroner his head on cement.
No
1
James Arthur Cobb 42 B St. Paul Police MN COD: excited delirium due to cocaine Officers able to handcuff Cobb but
09/06/2004
Department toxicity then he collapsed on the street. Taken
Ramsey
PS, BT
to hospital where he died at 3.14 am,
No
2
less than two hours after being tasered.
Jacob J. Lair (AUT) 26 W Washoe County NV COD: acute methamphetamine ME reported to find Lair’s death part Collapsed and stopped breathing at
Sheriff's intoxication with associated (probable) of a series of events of which Taser scene. Resuscitation attempted without
Department, cardiac arrhythmia while engaged in a was one factor (Taser “part of the result. Pronounced dead in hospital.
09/06/2004
HB, PR, PS
Sparks Police physical struggle with law enforcement scenario”)
Washoe
Department officers involving a Taser gun, pepper
No
1
spray and restraints.
MOD: Accident
Kris J. Lieberman 32 W Nazareth Police PA COD: stresses on his heart, including his Tasered after found crawling in field.
Northampton
24/06/2004
Department agitated psychological state, the attempts Lost consciousness at scene, police
to restrain him and a high level of cocaine unable to revive him, died two hours
No
3
in his blood. later in hospital.
Eric B. Christmas 36 Dayton Police OH COD: cardiac arrest due to cocaine Stopped breathing after a struggle with
01/08/2004 23/07/2004 11/07/2004 03/07/2004 30/06/2004
Montgomery
AR, HC, HB
Department induced excited delirium three officers involving the use of
No
6 Taser. Died later in hospital.
Demetrius Tillman 44 B Okaloosa County FL COD - "cocaine-associated excited Autopsy notes proximity of cardiac Went into respiratory arrest in patrol
Okaloosa
HG, AR
Nelson (AUT) Sheriff's delirium." MOD: accident arrhythmia/collapse and Taser. Also car. Was not revived.
No
Department notes Taser probe to chest. 2
Willie Smith 48 B Auburn Police WA COD: "a combination of acute cocaine Was high on cocaine Had heart attack in ambulance, died in
HG, GU, BT
Department intoxication and physical restraint," hospital two days later.
King
No
4
Milton Salazar 29 Mesa Police AZ COD: Complications of excited delirium Stress from the physical struggle and Face turned white when handcuffed.
Maricopa
(AUT) Department due to cocaine. Taser shocks were listed as Breathing but unresponsive at scene.
No
contributory factors. 4 min Died two days later.
Keith Tucker 47 W Las Vegas NV COD: cardiac arrest, brought on by Taser and batons Went into cardiac arrest at scene and
Metropolitan restraint with Taser and batons; Coroner died later in hospital. (police noticed
HC, BT
Clark
No
Police reportedly found Taser contributed to 1 had stopped breathing after he was
Department cardiac arrest handcuffed)
Ernest Blackwell 29 B St. Louis County MO COD - natural causes, death associated Died on way to hospital
possibly shotgun
11/08/2004
Police with "agitated delirium". marijuana found
St Louis
Possible
PR, BT
Department in his blood.
2
Anthony Lee 46 Cabarrus County NC Autopsy unavailable Reportedly, continued to struggle after
McDonald Sheriff's hit with beanbags, was shocked and
13/08/2004
Cabarrus
Department minutes later became lethargic with
BT, BB
No
2 trouble breathing. Died shortly after
arriving at hospital.
William Teasley 31 W Anderson County SC COD: cardiac arrhythmia due to Contributing factors: heart disease, Stopped breathing shortly after
(AUT) Detention Centre combination of pulmonary, cardiac and stress acidosis from partial closure of shocked. Pronounced dead in hospital.
vascular disease following Taser electrical airway. "The added stress of Taser
shock. shock with its electrical current was
16/08/2004
proximal to the cardiac arrhythmia
Anderson
and must be considered contributory".
No
1
Also had history of head trauma
following earlier car accident.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Richard Karlo 44 W Denver Police CO COD: Acute cocaine and nortriptyline high level cocaine in system, heart Pronounced dead in hospital less than
19/08/2004
(AUT) Department toxicity. The other injuries noted were condition and congestion and hour after incident began.
Denver
sustained following agitated delirium with bleeding in his lungs.
pipe
Yes
BT
4
subsequent restraint by law enforcement.
Michael Lewis 40 B Fresno Police CA Autopsy reportedly concluded that the “delusional” with history of medical Stopped breathing after being placed
unknown object
20/08/2004
Sanders Department cause of death was from a cocaine problems in an ambulance, attempts at
Possible
Fresno
overdose. resuscitation unsuccessful. Incident
2
occurred at 2 am and he was
pronounced dead at 430 am
Lawrence Davies 27 Phoenix Police AZ Excited delirium May have been using cocaine Acc to press, he regained
Department consciousness after Taser and
24/08/2004
Maricopa
continued to struggle, chokehold used
CH
No
3 before handcuffed. Taken to hospital
and pronounced dead less than an
hour later.
Jason Yeagley 32 W Polk County FL COD: Excited delirium due to Alparazolam Contributory cause: struggle during Became unresponsive after shocked
(AUT) Sheriff's withdrawal. arrest. Medical history of panic and and restrained face-down at scene.
26/08/2004
Department MOD: Accident. anxiety disorder. CPR regained pulse but died because
HC, PR
Polk
No
2 pulseless again arriving at hospital.
Pronounced dead one hour and quarter
later.
Michael Robert 38 W Del Rey Oaks CA COD: ventricular arrhythmia due to Contributing conditions "very likely" Stopped breathing at scene. Could not
Piece of wood
30/08/2004
Monterey
Rosa (AUT) Seaside Police methamphetamine intoxication. Taser application and arrest by police be resuscitated.
Yes
Department MOD: Accidental (autopsy report). 7
Samuel Wakefield 22 Johnson County TX cocaine intoxication Witness said had ingested large Fell into a ditch and tasered; after
Sheriff's amount of cocaine handcuffed he vomited and started
12/09/2004
Department Police spokesperson reported as having cardiac arrest at scene.
Johnson
No
saying he was “resisting but he wasn’t 2 Pronounced dead at hospital.
fighting”
Andrew 21 Vallejo Police CA COD: cardiac arrest associated with Appeared to be intoxicated. When Showed signs of medical distress at
Washington Department excitement during long police chase and asked whether Taser played role in scene. Pronounced dead at hospital.
16/09/2004
cocaine and alcohol intoxication, death, Forensic pathologist who
Solano
No
"occurring shortly after Tasering." performed autopsy, Arnold Josselson 17
said "I really don't know".
John Merkle (AUT) 40 W Miami-Dade FL COD: Excited delirium associated with Autopsy noted Taser puncture wounds Hit with Taser and police noticed that
Police cocaine intoxication to chest and moderate coronary artery Merkle seemed ‘feverish and excited’,
21/09/2004
Miami-Dade
Department atherosclerosis and wanted to lie on his stomach.
Once on stomach he stopped
Stick
Yes
Min 1 breathing. Pronounced dead on arrival
at hospital.
Dwayne Anthony 33 Lafayette Police LA “Acute cardiac arrhythmia due to acute Appeared to be intoxicated Police used Taser when appeared
Dunn Department and chronic self use of cocaine and intoxicated and refused to leave a
Lafayette Parish
ethanol” (TV10) parking lot at around 5.21 am. Became
04/10/2004
ill shortly after being booked into jail
just after 6am. Condition deteriorated
No
1
and was taken to hospital, where died
in the afternoon of same day.
Greshmond Gray 25 B LaGrange Police GA "Combined effects of physiologic stress of Autopsy results reportedly found Gray After last stun police noticed Gray was
02/11/2004
(AUT) Department a physical alternation (incl. Taser) and had significant abnormalities of the unresponsive and called for medical
hot coals
Troup
heart disease caused fatal arrhythmia" heart muscle, a condition he was help. Pronounced dead shortly after
Yes
3
probably born with. arriving at hospital
Robert Guerrero 21 Fort Worth Police TX COD: acute cocaine intoxication. However, Stopped breathing shortly after last
Department unnamed staff working for ME office shock. CPR failed. Pronounced dead at
02/11/2004
reported as saying “the amount of cocaine scene.
Tarrant
found in Guerrero’s blood would not
No
normally have caused him to have heart 4
failure.”
Ricardo Zaragoza 40 H Sacramento CA COD: Primary cause: cardiac arrest. Had been acting erratically, officers Collapsed forward while being taken
County Sheriff's Secondary cause: excited delirium. came to take him for a mental health out of the house, struck his head.
Department examination. Diagnosed with paranoid Family reportedly noticed he had
schizophrenia. stopped breathing when an officer used
08/11/2004
Sacramento
his knee to hold his neck to ground but
officer waited for paramedics to arrive
PS
No
2
to start CPR. Resuscitation
unsuccessful and pronounced dead on
arrival hospital.
Charles 47 W Livingston MI COD: Drowning. 2nd autopsy concluded Cardiac arrest at scene. Pronounced
25/11/2004
Livingston
Christopher Keiser County Sheriff's "use of Taser while immersed would have dead in hospital.
PS, BT
No
(AUT) Department enhanced the drowning process." (negative 2 to 5
drugs)Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Byron Black (AUT) 39 W Lee County Jail FL COD: fatal cardiac arrhythmia due to Other significant conditions. "Exertion Was reportedly having a seizure when
seizure due to delirium tremens and due to struggle, restraint and Taser shocked and pepper-sprayed as
28/11/2004
coronary arteriosclerosis. application." resisted being taken from cell for
Lee
PS
No
MOD: homicide 2 medical attention. Collapsed shortly
(negative for drugs) afterwards and was pronounced dead
in hospital.
Patrick Fleming 35 Jefferson Parish LA After Taser used a second time officers
Jefferson Parish
Sheriff's noticed that Fleming began ‘having
03/12/2004
Department laboured breathing’.
No
2 Arrested Friday 1am, pronounced dead
on Sunday at 3.15pm
Kevin Downing 36 W Hollywood Police FL COD: Cocaine psychosis and excited Notes hyperthermia and sweating, Collapsed after tasered in chest. Died
(AUT) Department delirium as a result of lethal dose of cerebral and pulmonary edema; less than two hours later in hospital.
16/12/2004
cocaine. cardiomegal, abrasions, electrical
Broward
No
MOD: accident. burns on right side of chest and right 2
wrist and mild obesity.
Lyle Nelson 35 Columbia Police IL "Acute cocaine toxicity" - Coroner's Jury Collapsed 90 minutes after arrest/being
16/12/2004
Department Mar 17 05 taken to jail. Taken to hospital where
Monroe
No
8
N
he died (5 hours after Taser)
Douglas G 37 W Heber City Police UT COD: Excited delirium due to acute Wasatch County Attorney: "while the Stopped breathing at scene after he
Meldrum Department ephedrine intoxication. medical examiner did not comment was handcuffed following Taser shocks.
on the impact that the Taser may CPR unsuccessful.
have had on Mr. Meldrum's death . . .
it is possible that the Taser
17/12/2004
Wasatch
contributed to a state in Mr.
CH, PS
No
Meldrum's body, together with his 2
ephedrine intoxication and enormous
physical exertion, that led to the
cardiopulmonary failure."
Timothy Bolander 31 W Delray Beach FL COD: cocaine toxicity Cardiac hypertrophy. History of Became unresponsive while being
23/12/2004
Palm Beach
(AUT) Police MOD: Accident mental problems and drug abuse. handcuffed. Died less than 30 minutes
No
Department Five packets of cocaine in body. 4 later.
Ronnie Pino 31 Sacramento CA COD: Sudden unexpected death Mentally disabled and history of Was shocked in hospital waiting room
Sheriff's Office syndrome. severe epilepsy. Was fitted with vagus when became agitated for not being
24/12/2004
Sacramento
nerve stimulator in chest to control allowed outside to smoke a cigarette.
No
seizures (one Taser shock hit him in 2 Taken to jail where died in his cell 17
chest) hours later from a seizure.
Christopher 19 B Collier County FL COD: cardiac arrest due to drugs and Ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana in his Tasered, sprayed, beaten during
Hernandez Sheriff's Office medical condition. system and suffered from sickle cell altercation after the car in which he
28/12/2004
anemia. was a passenger was stopped by police.
Collier
PS
No
23 Had trouble breathing at scene. Died
about 8 hours after incident in
hospital.
Jeanne Hamilton 46 Inyo County CA trace of drugs Stopped breathing when placed in cell,
29/12/2004
Sheriff's 2 hours after she was shocked and
Inyo
PS
No
Department 1 pepper sprayed during traffic stop.
David J Cooper 40 W Whiteland Police IN COD: Cardiac arrest due to probable Possible contributory factor: Tasered multiple times on his arrest 19
(AUT) Department cardiac arrhythmia. schizophrenia. Coroner reported as December, and later in jail. On 24 Dec
30/12/2004
Johnson County MOD: Natural. saying 2 stuns "absolutely a transferred to a hospital psychiatric
Johnson
Jail consideration". Relatives say had ward where stopped breathing and
No
history heart problem. 9 min placed on respirator. Pronounced dead
on 30th Dec.
Greg Saulsbury 30 B Pacifica Police CA Recent agitation/paranoid state, associated Tasered during struggle in his home,
(AUT) Department with cocaine intoxication with forcible began vomiting after handcuffed. CPR
03/01/2005
restraints including Taser application bear at scene unsuccessful, pronounced
San Mateo
, "lying over" and "handcuffs". ME notes dead in hospital.
HC
No
tasered multiple times in posteria and left 2 min
lateral chest.
Dennis Hyde 30 W Akron Police OH COD: probable cardiac arrhythmia due to Contributory conditions: psychiatric He became unresponsive after shocked
(AUT) Department acute methamphetamine intox and disorder with agitated behaviour; and was taken to Akron City Hospital
electrical pulse incapacitation. In May blood loss by arterial injury. where pronounced dead a short time
2008 a judge ordered Taser to be removed later.
05/01/2005
from COD findings after a lawsuit brought
Summit
by Taser International. The medical
No
30
examiner is appealing against this order.
MOD: homicide: sudden death inurred
during restraint.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Carl Trotter (AUT) 33 B Escambia County FL COD: undetermined. MOD: undetermined. Autopsy notes diagnoses: excited Died during struggle at scene. Tasered
Sheriff's delirium, cocaine and ethanol abuse, in lower chest and back.
08/01/2005
Escambia
Department Taser wounds of torso (incl. chest),
No
blunt impact of head and neck (plus 2
abrasions and contusions of wrists,
etc.)
Jerry John Moreno 33 Los Angeles CA COD: cardiac arrest under influence of Transported to hospital in full cardiac
HG, PR, PS, MK
10/01/2005
Los Angeles
County Sheriff's methamphetamines and marijuana arrest hogtied with towel over head.
Department Regained pulse but died 4 days later
No
3
(Castaic Jail) when taken off life support.
James Edward 33 Grady County OK Apparently swallowed cocaine during Tasered while trying to escape,
Hudson Sheriff's drug raid recovered and was walking and talking
28/01/2005
Department . Seemed to have a reaction, was taken
Grady
No
to Grady Memorial Hospital where he
died. (Daily Oklahoman, 29 Jan)
Jeffrey Turner 41 B Lucas County Jail OH COD: hypertensive heart disease Significant conditions: altercation Taser used 4 times after he banged on
(AUT) MOD: homicide with jail personnel including multiple cell window. Shortly after restrained
31/01/2005
(negative for drugs apart from cannabinoid shocks with a Taser. became unresponsive. Pronounced
HC, AR
Lucas
4 plus
No
in urine) dead on arrival at hospital. (shocked 5
5
times during arrest)
Ronald Hasse 54 W Chicago Police IL COD: electrocution due to Taser Significant contributing factor: Collapsed after tasered in chest from a
10/02/2005
(AUT) Department application. (Tasered on left upper and methamphetamine intoxication. distance of 7 feet (one shock lasted 57
Cook
No
lower chest). 2 secs)
MOD: Homicide
Robert Fidalgo 45 W San Diego Police CA COD: Acute Hypoxic/ischemic Contributing factor: Hypertensive went into cardiac arrest approx. 30
Camba (AUT) Department encephalopathy due to cardiopulmonary atherosclerotic heart disease. secs after last shock. Paramedics
swinging night stand
arrest during restraint directly following History of Schizophrenia. regained pulse but never regained
12/02/2005
San Diego
application of Taser due to excited Disabled after jumping from window consciousness. On ventilator 2 days
Yes
delirium due to acute cocaine and in 2004 before pronounced dead.
BT
8 min
methamphetamine intoxication.
MOD: Homicide
Joel Casey 52 W Harris County TX COD: "psychotic delirium with physical Had heart condition, mentally ill, Police noticed he was having difficulty
Sheriff's Office restraint and cardiovascular disease." An Hepatitis B breathing when they put him in patrol
18/02/2005
autopsy showed Casey had a broken hyoid HC,R, MO car, performed mouth to mouth
Harris
bone, which could indicate that he resuscitation. Pronounced dead at
suffocated. (DesMoines register, 6 March) 3 No hospital.
MOD: homicide
Robert Clark 40 W Salinas Police CA 3 autopsy reports in the case. The first history of drug addiction, enlarged collapsed at scene with sudden cardiac
Heston (AUT) Department one listed Taser as a COD. The second, heart arrest, CPR initiated, was resuscitated
contributory. The third listed COD as prior to reaching hospital but found to
multiple organ failure due to have sustained severe, irreversible
cardiopulmonary arrest, due to anoxic brain injury and multiple organ
20/02/2005
Monterey
methamphetamine intoxication, excited damage as result of prolonged period of
No
delirium and an enlarged heart, with 11 cardiac arrest. Life support withdrawn .
rhabdomyolysis secondary to Taser Died approx 26 hours after initial
application, as contributory. arrest.
Shirley Andrews 38 B Cincinnati Police OH COD: pulmonary thromboembolism. Contributory factors: inactivity and Died 8 days later.
03/03/2005
Hamilton
Department obesity.
No
6
Willie Michael 30 B DeLand Police FL Autopsy performed did not reveal a Died on way to hospital 10 minutes
05/03/2005
Towns Department conclusive cause of death. Toxicology after tasered.
Volusia
report said that he had "acute cocaine
No
PS
3
intoxication". MOD: Accident
Milton Woolfolk 39 B Columbia County FL Mentally ill (died while being taken Once officers had him on the ground,
Sheriff's into custody for psychiatric Woolfolk became unresponsive and was
11/03/2005
Columbia
Department evaluation) transported to Shands at Lake Shore.
No
2 He was pronounced dead a short time
later.
Mark Young 25 Indianapolis IN COD: drug overdose Reported to have swallowed drugs Had a seizure 40 minutes after Taser
03/04/2005 17/03/2005
Police immediately before tasered during use, died 1 hour later
Marion
No
Department drug raid 1
James F. Wathan 32 Livingston Police CA Died at father's house after 25 minutes
Livingston
Jr. Department struggle with police but immediately
PS, BT
No
1 after being tasered. CPR failed to
revive him.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Eric Hammock 43 W Fort Worth Police TX COD: cocaine intoxication, coronary Coroner: "although a temporal Tasered multiple times by two officers
(AUT) Department Atherosclerosis with cardiomegaly and relationship exists between in both dart and stun modes, including
hepatic steatosis. application of Taser device and in chest area, shoulder, arms and back.
04/04/2005
MOD: Accidental unconsciousness, no causal effect of Collapsed at scene in full cardiac
the Taser to death can be arrest. Pronounced dead in hospital
No
25
established." Notes Taser puncture approx 50 minutes after incident first
wounds to chest. began.
John Cox 39 B Suffolk County NY PM revealed alcohol and drugs in Cocaine/alcohol. Schizophrenic and Friends called police for help when Cox
Police bloodstream. bipolar. Heart problems. Was taking became agitated. Police allegedly
Department anti-psychotic drugs kicked and beat him and shocked him
22/04/2005
HC, PR, MO
multiple times causing third-degree
Suffolk
burns to his body. He died after being
No
5 to 6
left face-down, handcuffed behind his
back on a gurney (stretcher).
Keith Graff (AUT) 24 W Phoenix Police AZ COD: Excited delirium due to Amnesty International pathologist Was shocked in chest for 84
04/05/2005
Department methamphetamine abuse noted drug levels not very high and at uninterrupted seconds. Stopped
Maricopa
level commonly found in habitual breathing at scene. CPR given at
No
2
users. scene. Pronounced dead at hospital.
Lawrence Berry 34 Jefferson Parish LA Became unresponsive after being hit
Jefferson Parish
06/05/2005
Jail with the Taser in the restraint chair,
MO, RC
taken to hospital and pronounced
No
2
dead.
Stanley Wilson 44 B Miami-Dade FL COD: acute cocaine psychosis Tasered by police during arrest, cleared
07/05/2005
Miami-Dade
Police for jail where died.
HC, R
No
Department 1
Vernon A. Young 31 Union Township OH coroner reported that preliminary autopsy Tasered when started to get up off
Reportedly gun and a knife
not armed at time stunned
Police showed died of cocaine overdose. floor. Was taken to hospital as routine.
Department Pronounced dead just over an hour
13/05/2005
after shocked.
Yes
1
Randy Martinez 40 H Albuquerque NM He suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest
20/05/2005
Police after being shocked. CPR at scene but
Bernalillo
Department remained in critical condition in
No
3
hospital. Died two days later.
Richard Alvarado 38 H Tustin Police CA COD: combined effects of drugs and Tasered during struggle, lost
23/05/2005
(AUT) Department ethanol. MOD: accident consciousness. Never regained
Orange
No
5 consciousness, died next day
Lee Marvin 38 W Spring Township PA COD: anoxic encephalopathy due to Became unresponsive as soon as
Kimmel (AUT) Police cardiac arrest during police restraint due handcuffed face-down after tasering.
23/05/2005
Department to agitated delirium with cocaine toxicity. Regained pulse in hospital but never
PS, PR,
Berks
No
2 regained consciousness. Died approx
12 hours later.
Walter Lamont 23 Metropolitan TN COD: asphyxiation after swallowing drugs
27/05/2005
Davidson
Seats Nashville Police
No
Department
Richard T. 18 W Springfield OH COD: Cardiac arrhythmia due to drug In 2008 a judge ordered Taser to be Collapsed after shocked and stopped
28/05/2005
Holcomb (AUT) Township Police induced psychosis, acute removed from autopsy findings, breathing at scene. Pronounced dead
Summit
Department methamphetamine intoxication following lawsuit filed by Taser in hospital.
No
3
MOD: homicide: Used drugs; Sudden International. An appeal against this
death incurred during restraint. ruling is pending.
Ravan J. Conston 33 Sacramento CA Under influence of drugs Died on way to hospital
04/06/2005
Sacramento
Police
No
Department 2
Nazario J. Solorio 38 Escondido Police CA COD: Suffocation due to positional Contributing factors: Schizophrenia Collapsed during struggle with police
Department asphyxia. Suffered irreversible brain and methamphetamine abuse. trying to get him to hospital. Lapsed
04/06/2005
San Diego
damage due to prolonged loss of oxygen into coma and died five days later.
No
when air supply cut off by position of his 2
body during struggle with police.
Russell Walker 47 Las Vegas NV COD: heart arrhythmia during restraint Coroner: "struggle with officers Stopped breathing following last shock
11/06/2005 07/06/2005
HC, PR, MO
Metropolitan procedures together with the amount of cocaine while on a gurney.
Clark
No
Police Walker had ingested was a "recipe for 3
Department disaster".
Horace Owens 48 B Broward County FL COD: Cardiac arrest caused by cocaine. Enlarged heart, obese, diabetic and Stopped breathing at scene after
Broward
Sheriff's Office MOD: Accidental mentally ill. struggle. Pronounced dead in hospital
No
1 an hour later.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Michael Anthony 32 B Putnam County FL COD: excited delirium due to drug use Stopped breathing on way to hospital.
13/06/2005
Putman
Edwards Sheriff's CPR unsuccessful.
No
Department 3
Shawn Cristopher 30 Canton Police OH COD: excited delirium; self-inflicted Trace of marijuana found in system, Died shortly after being taken to
Pirolozzi Department injuries. (no illicit drugs or alcohol except multiple blunt and sharp force hospital
13/06/2005
trace marijuana, not recent use) injuries to head, trunk and extremities
HC, PR
Stark
No
(self-inflicted), loss of blood and loss 3
of oxygen, mental health issues.
Robert Earl 62 B City of Waco TX COD: acute physiologic stress which was Other contributory factors: Once handcuffed he had trouble
Williams (AUT) Police associated with multiple electrical shocks hypertensive and arteriosclerotic breathing. When paramedics arrived he
14/06/2005
McLennan
steel bar
Department during attempted restraint by police for cardiovascular disease, diabetes had stopped breathing. Officers
Yes
schizophrenia with excited delirium. mellitus and obesity. 4 performing CPR unable to revive him.
MOD: Homicide
Melinda Kaye Neal 33 Whitfield County GA History of depression and Died next morning in hospital.
15/07/2005 12/07/2005 02/07/2005 29/06/2005 24/06/2005 24/06/2005
Whitfield
Sheriff's methamphetamine use.
No
Department 1
Carolyn Daniels 25 Fort Worth Police TX COD: Cocaine intoxication Tasered while handcuffed. Died 90
Department minutes after being tasered.
No
2
Phoarah Knight 33 Miami-Dade FL Thought to be under the influence of Went to cardiac arrest and died while
Miami-Dade
Police drugs on the way to Hospital
No
Department 1
Tommy Valentine 28 H Sacramento CA Died en route to hospital. Had cut both
Sacramento
Guttierez County Sheriff's wrists in apparent suicide attempt.
No
Department 2
Kevin Omas 17 W Euless Police TX COD: interaction of the drug prescribed by Went into distress and vomited after
AR, MO, HC
Department paramedics and the Ecstasy in Omas’ tasered and restrained. Went into coma
Tarrant
No
system. 3 at hospital. Died 2 days later.
Ernesto Valdez 37 Phoenix Police AZ Died at scene after tasered in restraints
Maricopa
Department and mask.
No
3
Otis Thrasher 42 W Butte-Silver Bow MO COD: Anoxic encephalopathy due to ME: unknown to what extent other Stopped breathing shortly after loaded
(AUT) County Sheriff's cardiac failure due to coronary artery factors contributed. These include into ambulance. Respiration resumed
Department disease. ME opinion: he "died of Taser shot (to head and chest), but remained in coma until life support
15/07/2005
Silver Bow
complications from a lack of blood flow to methamphetamine abuse, pepper removed 10 days later.
knife
Yes
the brain… when his heart stopped spray and restraint.
PS
1
beating and he stopped breathing minutes
after being subdued" by police.
Carlos Casillas 31 H Sonoma County CA COD: drug-induced excited delirium from Went into respiratory/cardiac arrest at
MO, PR, CH, PS
16/07/2005
Fernandez Sheriff's methamphetamine intoxication scene after tasered and restrained on
Sonoma
Department the scene. CPR by officers.
No
6
Pronounced dead at hospital.
Michael Leon 40 B West Palm Beach FL COD: acute cocaine toxicity with excited Went into cardiac arrest at 3rd shock.
23/07/2005 17/07/2005
Palm Beach
Crutchfield (AUT) Police delirium Died within minutes.
No
Department 3
Maurice 29 Lancaster County SC COD: cardiac arrhythmia due to Taser Died at scene.
Lancaster
a pencil
Cunningham Sheriff's shocks. He had no alcohol or drugs in
Yes
PS
Department system. 6
Terrence Thomas 35 New York Police NY COD: cardiac arrest due to cocaine Crack cocaine reportedly found in Became ill in police stationhouse and
Department intoxication. (full report not released) stomach, believed swallowed after shocked after became "combative".
27/07/2005
New York
stopped by police. Went into cardiac arrest on way to
No
1 hospital and pronounced dead 45
minutes later.
Brian Patrick 32 B San Jose Police CA COD: Sudden cardiac arrhythmia due to Other significant conditions: As officers handcuffed him following
01/08/2005
Santa Clara
O'Neal (AUT) Department physical exertion during acute Exhaustive violent physical struggle. Taser shock they realised he had
PS, BT
Methamphetamine and Cannabinoid Noted multiple… abrasion possibly stopped breathing. Resuscitation
No
2 min
intoxication. consistent with Taser dart injury. unsuccessful.
MOD: Accident
Eric Mahoney 33 Fremont Police CA methamphetamine/history of drug Fell into coma during hospital check-
in his possession
Folding knives
Department abuse up 25 minutes after he had been
03/08/2005
Alameda
stunned by police for running away
Yes
8 during a traffic stop. Died when
removed from life support 5 days later.Number taser strikes
Armed with what?
Other restraint?
and/or shocks
Name/source
Armed?
County
State
Race
Police agency/ Contributory factors/ Underlying Time between Taser use and death or
Date
Age
indicated if AI has Cause of death
City/State health condition cardiac arrest/loss of consciousness
autopsy (AUT)
Dwayne Zachary 44 Sacramento CA History of illegal drug use Pronounced dead at hospital
27/08/2005 26/08/2005 05/08/2005 04/08/2005
Sacramento
County Sheriff's
MO
No
Department 3
Olson Ogodidde 30 Glendale Police AZ Drug and alcohol problem Had a 'seizure' shortly after arriving at
Maricopa
Department the hospital and died.
No
2
Shawn Norman 40 Ross County OH COD: heart attack. Preliminary reports showed cocaine unconsciousness at scene,
Sheriff's and marijuana in his system. Had pronounced dead at hospital
Ross
No
Department heart disease. 3
Brian Lichtenstein 31 Martin County FL COD: Cocaine toxicity Tasered when ran from police naked in
Sheriff's woods. Died several hours later in
Martin
No
Department 2 hospital.
David Anthony 44 Santa Cruz CA COD: lost the ability to breathe due to Contributing causes: enlargened During the altercation Cross stopped
18/09/2005
Santa Cruz
Cross County Sheriff's chest compression during the heart, bipolar disorder, extreme breathing and lost consciousness. He
R, MO
Department restraint…went into cardiopulmonary agitation was taken to hospital where he died
No
2
arrest, then anoxic encephalopathy. the next day.
MOD: Accident
Timothy Michael 24 H Sacramento CA COD: "sudden cardiac arrest during stopped breathing after being
22/09/2005
BT, MO, PR
Sacramento
Torres County Sheriff's physical struggle that included the use of restrained with handcuffs. Pronounced
knife
Yes
Department forceful restraint" 1 dead at hospital
Patrick Aaron Lee 21 W Metropolitan TN COD: Excited delirium MOD: Could not be Cannabis, LSD/ Enlarged heart. Went into cardio respiratory arrest at
23/09/2005
(AUT) Nashville Police determined. Altercation, including struggle, use of scene shortly after handcuffed. Brain
Davidson
PS, BT
Department pepper spray and Taser (historical) up to death pronounced in hospital and life
No
included under "pathological 19 support turned off following day.
diagnoses"
Michael Clark 33 B Austin Police TX COD: consequences of massive A second autopsy reportedly noted Was in caged area at back of patrol car
(AUT) Department intravascular sickling (blood sickling due that the extreme heat of the day, and and didn't want cuffs as too hot. Police
to sickle cell disease) associated with perhaps the Taser strikes delivered by sprayed pepper spray into back of
extreme physical exertion due to PCP and police would in fact be "considered vehicle, pulled him out and shocked
26/09/2005
cocaine induced excited delirium. another physical stressor" playing on him 3 times, including 2 times in
AR, PS
Travis
Clark's overstressed system. Had chest. He immediately collapsed.
No
3
sickle cell disease. Emergency services arrived 15 minutes
later but could not resuscitate him.
Steven 45 Fort Myers Police FL COD: cocaine toxicity with excited Mentally ill Cunningham collapsed at scene and
13/10/2005
Cunningham delirium. later died at Southwest Florida
Lee
No
MOD: Accidental 4 Regional Medical Center
Jose Maravilla 33 H San Leandro CA COD: methamphetamine intoxication Other significant conditions: multiple Stunned multiple times during arrest
Perez (AUT) Police associated with physical exertion. electrical stimulations, fracture of the and drive-stunned again in booking
20/10/2005
Department and right superior horn of the thyroid area of jail. Collapsed in jail;
Alameda
Jail cartilage. resuscitation attempts unsuccessful
CH
No
20 and pronounced dead in hospital less
than an hour later.
Timothy Glenn 35 W Larimer County CO COD: bilateral acute pneumonia recent methamphetamine use and a Went into cardiac arrest at the scene
Mathis (AUT) Sheriff's complicating ischemic encephalopathy variant of excited delirium likely fell into a coma and died 3 weeks
Department received after suffering cardiopulmonary contributed to the altercation with the after.
arrest during police restraint. Mechanisms authorities.
25/10/2005
BT, MO
Larimer
employed during restraint include Taser
No
and baton strikes (inc. to chest). 5 min
MOD: homicide.
Josh Brown 23 Lafayette Parish LA Before shocked jumped out of first Taken to hospital for head wounds and
Lafayette Parish
13/11/2005
Sheriff's floor window and hit head on wooden died 10 hours later
Department fence post.
No
1
Jose Angel Rios 38 H San Jose Police CA COD: cardiopulmonary arrest following Contributory case: status post- Collapsed at scene, resuscitation
18/11/2005
PS, BT, PR
Santa Clara
(AUT) Department violent struggle with acute cocaine Tasering and pepper spraying, unsuccessful, pronounced dead at
No
intoxication with psychosis. obesity, cardiovascular disease due to 2 min hospital.
MOD: Undetermined acute cocaine abuse.
30 Des Plaines COD: Died from suffocation. He was Autistic and mentally disabled. After Lost consciousness after being
HC, PR, PS, BT, DR
Hansel IL
Cunningham Police restrained for up to four minutes before he Taser and PS was handcuffed and restrained by police at scene.
20/11/2005
Department died, according to the medical examiner's given sedatives. Paramedics tried to revive him
Cook
No
office. MOD: Homicide 2 unsuccessfully. Was pronounced dead
at local hospital.You can also read
