Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 3, 2006 13:21:23 GMT -5
08.22.2006 - A man who died in the custody of Woonsocket police early Sunday morning was subdued twice by a Taser gun during a struggle soon before his death, authorities said Monday.
Timothy Picard, 41, was in handcuffs and was struggling with local officers at the police station when an officer twice used a Taser gun on him, said Maj. Steven O'Donnell, a State Police spokesman.
The State Police and the attorney general's office are investigating the incident, and the medical examiner's office was conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Woonsocket Police Chief Michael Houle said that while the investigation was ongoing, he believed his officers followed proper protocol.
Police were called to Picard's house after his wife called 911, then hung up the phone, O'Donnell said. A pair of police officers went to the house and fought with Picard, eventually using pepper spray on him.
Investigators said they believe Picard was fighting with his 19-year-old son.
The first two police officers at the home called for help, bringing another two officers to the scene who helped subdue Picard.
Taken to the police station, he was again belligerent while handcuffed with officers at the police station, O'Donnell said.
Within eight minutes of his arrival, Picard had been zapped twice by the Taser and become unresponsive, O'Donnell said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Houle identified the officer who used the Taser as Sgt. Chris Brooks, and said no disciplinary action had been taken against him.
Houle said his department may conduct a similar inquiry to determine whether internal policies and procedures were followed.
cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_234081305.html
Timothy Picard, 41, was in handcuffs and was struggling with local officers at the police station when an officer twice used a Taser gun on him, said Maj. Steven O'Donnell, a State Police spokesman.
The State Police and the attorney general's office are investigating the incident, and the medical examiner's office was conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Woonsocket Police Chief Michael Houle said that while the investigation was ongoing, he believed his officers followed proper protocol.
Police were called to Picard's house after his wife called 911, then hung up the phone, O'Donnell said. A pair of police officers went to the house and fought with Picard, eventually using pepper spray on him.
Investigators said they believe Picard was fighting with his 19-year-old son.
The first two police officers at the home called for help, bringing another two officers to the scene who helped subdue Picard.
Taken to the police station, he was again belligerent while handcuffed with officers at the police station, O'Donnell said.
Within eight minutes of his arrival, Picard had been zapped twice by the Taser and become unresponsive, O'Donnell said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Houle identified the officer who used the Taser as Sgt. Chris Brooks, and said no disciplinary action had been taken against him.
Houle said his department may conduct a similar inquiry to determine whether internal policies and procedures were followed.
cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_234081305.html