Nov 19, 2007 11:19 pm US/Eastern
Man Dead After Taser Used To Break Up Fight
FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A man dies after a deputy uses a Taser to break up a fight.
Jerrel Gray, 20, died steps from his home after the Frederick County Sheriff's Office confirms a deputy used a Taser to subdue him.
"Did the deputy think his life was in danger? Did he have a weapon? I mean, what provoked you to tase him? How many times did you tase him?" said Tanya Thomas, Gray's mother.
For now, the sheriff is not answering all those questions, but says his deputies only use Tasers when there's aggressive resistance and they feel threatened.
A spokeswoman says the incident started when neighbors reported hearing a fight early Saturday morning.
"That's still part of the investigation, to determine the specifics," said Jennifer Bailey, Frederick County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.
Gray's family says he had hearing loss since childhood and questioned whether he ever heard police commands.
"If you weren't here or directly in front, he couldn't distinguish," said Anna Thomas, Gray's grandmother.
An
Eyewitness News investigation revealed the Department of Justice has launched a sweeping study into Tasers' long term effects, particularly on those with physical and mental disorders.
Several Marylanders have died from stun gun jolts this year.
"The effects of the Taser are temporary. Electricity does not stay in the body. It doesn't stay. It's not like you're adding more and more electricity," said Taser International CEO Rick Smith.
Gray is the first person to die from a deputy's Taser in Frederick County history.
"We would much rather they'd have beat him up than to tase him and kill him," said Cassandra Rollings, Gray's friend.
"I want my baby back. I can't get my son back," Thomas said.
The medical examiner has completed an autopsy on his body. The results have not been released. His family is waiting for that and the outcome of a police investigation to answer what happened in this young man's final moments alive.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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