Taser Not Responsible for KC Man's Death

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Posted: 9:13 AM Oct 9, 2007
Last Updated: 9:13 AM Oct 9, 2007
Reporter: Associated Press

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Authorities say a stun gun did not cause the death of a man who struggled with Kansas City, Kansas police last week.

The Wyandotte County coroner says 44-year-old Keith White died from excited delirium due to cocaine. Keith was stunned with a Taser while police investigated reports of a man taking off his clothes and smoking drugs.

Coroner Alan Hancock said yesterday he ruled out a jolt from the stun gun as the cause of White's death.

A few minutes after police used the stun gun, White complained about breathing difficulties. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Taser stun guns fire electrically charged darts that carry 50,000 volts for several seconds, temporarily immobilizing their targets.

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Posted by: Marjorie Location: outside Kansas on Oct 16, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Did Coroner Alan Hancock have concentration measurements of Kevin White's blood potassium and serum lactate? If not, it would appear he has no scientific basis for ruling out the Taser shock as possibly contributing to White's death.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 9, 2007 at 10:19 PM
I'm sure the fact that he was high on something or had a pre-existing medical condition had nothing to do with it. The people that do the autopsies are not cops, so why would they hide anything. It all boils down to the bad guy making a bad decision in life and as a result he unfortunately lost his life.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Sedgwick Co. on Oct 9, 2007 at 09:20 AM
GOOD. One dirt bag gone for good.

Posted by: cliff Location: sichita on Oct 9, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Of sourse not, nothing the police do is ever resposnible for death of anyone, just ask the officials who would be responsible if they did.

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