Dec 6, 2007 7:19 pm US/Eastern
Sheriff Gives Update On Taser Death
FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ/AP) ―
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An update is expected on the man who was tasered.
There is more information on the tasering of a Frederick County man that left him dead.
Jarell Gray, 20, was tasered by a sheriff's deputy last month.
Peggy Lee reports, the Sheriff's Office says it's continuing to look into the death.
They say, while they don't know the exact cause of death, at the time of the tasering, Gray had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.
The tasering happened on November 18. It added to the controversy surrounding other taserings across the country falling under scrutiny.
On Thursday the Sheriff's Office said it will continue to look into the use of force.
"I believe that the deputy still, even though Mr. Gray was on the ground, he believed there was a threat and the fact that he refused or wasn't able to show his hands as he was ordered to do," said Sheriff Chuck Jenkins.
13-year veteran Corporal Rudy Torres tasered Gray after breaking up a fight between Gray and two other men at Gresham Ct. East.
Reports show Torres tasered Gray after he refused to get on the ground.
The deputy then waited 23 seconds ordering Gray to show his hands.
When Gray refused, he was tasered again.
"People in this community aught to be scared to death that these people believe that if you don't answer to a police officer or you don't talk to a police officer they have the right to taser you," said Family Attorney Gregory Lattiner.
Gray's family says he may not have heard the deputy because he suffered from hearing loss since childhood.
However, police reports show that Gray was non compliant, verbally defying Torres.
Investigators say he walked away from Torres and placed his hands down his pants.
"I know that once Mr. Gray was given the commands, he verbally challenged the corporal that he didn't have to comply with those commands. So that tells me he heard what was being said," said Jenkins.
An independent agency is reviewing the actual taser gun used in the incident to make sure it meets manufacturer's standards.
The department is also reviewing their policy on taser guns. Meanwhile the corporal involved remains on administrative leave.
Since the department acquired tasers they've been used 70 times. This is the first death.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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