Related To Story |
Stun Gun Death Ruled Homicide; No Charges Filed
Larimer County Suspect Shocked Multiple Times With Taser
POSTED: 5:02 am MST November 10,
2005
UPDATED: 6:55 am MST November 10,
2005
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The death of a man who died after sheriff's deputies shocked him with a Taser was ruled a homicide Wednesday, but the district attorney will not press charges. Timothy Mathis died last month in part because of heart failure from being shocked three to seven times with the stun gun during an altercation with Larimer County Sheriff's deputies, the coroner's office said. However District Attorney Larry Abrahamson said there are other things beyond an autopsy report to consider when looking at homicide charges, such as intent. He ruled that force was justified in the case and said not all homicides result in charges being filed.
Mathis, who had methamphetamine in his system, refused the deputies' verbal commands and threatened them with a rock, authorities said. He didn't respond to the shocks from the Taser, so deputies subdued him with batons.Mathis was comatose at McKee Medical Center until his death on Oct. 25. The coroner reported that "excited delirium syndrome" was a factor in Mathis' death. The syndrome is a psychological and physiological condition that can be induced by meth, which can make a person unusually strong and insensitive to pain. It can also cause cardiac and pulmonary arrest.
Previous Stories:
- November 10, 2005: Shock Treatment: Why Are Officers Being Tased?
Copyright 2006 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.







