Examiner: Man Did Not Die Because of Taser Use
By Jimmie Collins
A man who died in police custody in September did not die because of the use of a Taser by police, according to a Travis County Medical Examiner's report.
Michael Clark, 33, died from of high levels of the drugs PCP and cocaine in his system and an inherited blood disease, sickle-cell anemia.
"This documentation effectively rules out any direct contribution of the Taser stun use," in Clark's death, according to the report.
Police responded to a domestic violence call Sept. 26 where Clark resisted arrest. He bit one officer and verbally assaulted others, according to an Austin Police Department written statement.
Police described Clark as "violent and irrational" at the time of the incident.
When Clark was stunned three times with the Taser he went into "medical distress" and was transported to the hospital.
Since Clark's death, City Manager Toby Futrell has ordered the development of a committee of local medical professionals to examine and research medical consequences associated with Taser usage, according to another APD written statement.
APD's Homicide Unit is still investigating Clark's death and will forward its report to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.
Clark's death is the 13th in-custody death for APD in the past eight years, but the first involving a Taser.
Sincerely,
Steve Tuttle
Vice President of Communications
TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR)
17800 N. 85th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Steve@TASER.com * Media Hotline: 480-444-4000 * Fax 480-991-0791
For details please visit www.TASER.com.
