Global Courant
A man who died after police officers in the North Carolina capital repeatedly used stun guns on him died of “sudden cardiac arrest” related to cocaine intoxication and confrontation with police, according to the state’s autopsy report released Wednesday.
The Chief Medical Examiner’s office also ruled the January 17 death of 32-year-old Darryl Tyree Williams a homicide.
The autopsy report listed Williams’ cause of death “as sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of cocaine intoxication, physical exertion, use of conducted energy weapons, and physical impairment.” A toxicology analysis partially detected cocaine and a chemical found in marijuana in his blood, the report said.
WITNESS TO JORDAN NEELY CHOKEHOLD DEATH CALLS DANIEL PENNY A ‘HERO’
Raleigh police said their officers attempted to arrest Williams for possession of a controlled substance at around 2 a.m.
Several officers were placed on administrative leave and the state Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation into what happened. The SBI has submitted its file to Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who will determine whether criminal charges are appropriate, SBI spokesperson Angie Grube said.
Darryl Tyree Williams, who died after being repeatedly shocked with stun guns, will be arrested on January 17, 2023. (City of Raleigh via AP, file)
Williams’ family has called on officials to fire officers and charge them for his death. In a press release, lawyers for the family said the autopsy confirms that “Darryl’s death was a direct result of excessive and unreasonable police action.”
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for this senseless loss of life are held accountable” and that “meaningful changes” are made to prevent similar future deaths, the release said.
AUSTRALIAN MOTHER CONDEMNED 2 DECADES AGO FOR Smothering 4 CHILDREN MAY BE INNOCENT
Lieutenant Jason Borneo of the Raleigh Police Department said late Wednesday that the autopsy report will be reviewed by Freeman and that the officers involved are on leave. He declined additional comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Police have said they tried to arrest Williams after they found a folded dollar bill with white powder in his pocket.
Police said two officers stunned Williams with a taser a total of three times as they attempted to take him into custody. The autopsy found injuries on his back consistent with the use of a stun gun.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Williams, a black man, can be heard in body and dashboard camera videos released by police in February protesting he did nothing and warning he had a heart problem. Medical records showed he had a history of an unspecified irregular heartbeat, Wednesday’s report said.
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).”
