Coroner: Taser did not cause death
Published 10:50 am Friday, July 11, 2008
JACKSON (AP) — The Hinds County coroner says a Taser zapping did not cause the death of a Jackson man.
Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart says 21-year-old Rafael Forbes, who died in August 2007 after a police officer jolted him with a Taser, didn’t die from the electric shock.
She says Forbes died of natural causes. Grisham-Stewart wouldn’t release what caused Forbes’ death.
Police reports say Forbes was arrested following a foot chase. Police say the Taser was used after Forbes resisted arrest.
Police say Forbes began showing signs of shortness of breath and was taken to Central Mississippi Medical Center, where he died.