Two officers stunned Williams with a Taser a total of three times while trying to stop him.
Photo: INA FASSBENDER/AFP/Getty Images
The January death of a North Carolina man who was repeatedly shocked by police with a Taser was ruled a homicide.according to a state autopsy report released Wednesday.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Darryl Tyree Williams, 32, died on January 17 of a “sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, use of conducted energy weapons, and physical restraint”.
A toxicology test detected partly cocaine and a chemical contained in marijuana in his blood, according to the report.
The Raleigh Police Department said its officers were trying to arrest Williams around 2 a.m. for possession of a controlled substanceafter a folded dollar bill with white powder was found in his pocket.
Police said two officers stunned Williams with a taser a total of three times as they tried to stop him, while the autopsy found injuries to his back consistent with the use of stun guns.
In the officers’ body camera videos, Williams can be heard saying he did nothing and warning that he had a heart problem.. Medical records showed that she had a history of unspecified irregular heartbeats, according to the report on Wednesday.
Obesity and “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” also contributed to his death, the report said, adding that Williams also had a known medical history of obesity and substance abuse (tobacco, marijuana and cocaine).
The officers involved in the arrest of Williams were placed on administrative leave and the State Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into what happened.
The investigative report has been released to Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate, SBI spokeswoman Angie Grube said.
Williams’ family has called on authorities to fire the officers and charge them with his death, claiming that the autopsy report confirms excessive and unreasonable police use of force.
Raleigh police Lt. Jason Borneo said Wednesday night that Freeman will review the autopsy report and that the officers involved in the matter are on leave.
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