Taser-Cop Del Shiflett Cleared in Killing of Derrick Humbert

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Bradenton Police Department each cleared Officer Del Shiflett [shown in photo] of any wrongdoing in the taser-killing of 38-year old Derrick Humbert. [SOURCE]

Villagers may recall that Humbert was riding a bicycle when he was pulled over by the police. Humbert made the mistake of running away from the unmarked police car ... and it cost him his life.

Police say Humbert fled from officers Sept. 28 after they tried to stop him for not having a light on his bicycle. Officer Del Shiflett shot Humbert in the back with a Taser as he ran.

A medical examiner has ruled Humbert, who had cocaine in his system, coupled with heart disease, died from a heart attack stemming from the exertion of the chase. Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega said the Taser did not play a role in Humbert's death.

The powers-that-be seem to have pulled it off in Florida. Another man killed by a taser without any accountability or responsibility taken by anyone. We are led to believe that he died on his own accord.

What do you think about this situation?

Taser Autopsy: Derrick Humbert (Bradenton FL)

The coroner down in Bradenton, FL indicates that the 50,000 volts of electricity zapped by a taser gun into 38-year old Derrick Humbert back on September 28 played a minor role in his death one hour later. [SOURCE]

Dr. Russell Vega works for the medical examiner's office. Vega says that Humbert's death was 'accidental'. He blames the death on cocaine toxicity and heart disease.

"His heart was enlarged. He had at least one large blockage," Dr. Russell Vega said in an interview today. "We see that as a cause of death by itself."

So ... let's recap. Humbert riding on his bicycle a few blocks from his home. Two Bradenton police officers stop him for not having a light affixed to the front of his bicycle. Humbert tries to run. Police officer Del Shiflett shot him with a taser. An hour later he is dead.

One moment he is alive. The next hour he is dead. And the powers-that-be in Bradenton insist that the taser shot did not cause Humbert’s death.

"If it did, it appears to be have been a minor role or none. There’s no way to confirm that," Vega said. "We simply couldn’t find any evidence the Taser played a role."

The death investigation is expected to be completed this week. A Bradenton Police Department’s internal review of the incident should wrap up next week.

I understand that the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights group that opposes the use of Tasers, is scheduled to meet with officials at Bradenton Police Department about the incident later this week.

Taser Death: Derrick Humbert (Bradenton FL)

It happened again! We enter into the 40th week of 2009 ... and we report on the 40th taser-related death in America. One per week...

This time the tortured man is 38-year old Derrick Humbert. Police pulled Humbert's BICYCLE over at 12:18 am because he didn't have a light on the bike. Humbert got off his bike and ran through the yards of several houses in the neighborhood. Bradenton Police Officer Del Shiflett used his Taser in a fatal ending to the chase.

Before he was to be taken to the Manatee County Jail, paramedics took Humbert to Manatee Memorial Hospital for treatment, but he died there at about 1:00 am.

The penalty for running away from the police should not be death by electrocution. Yet, here we are again with a dead man at the hands of a so-called non-lethal weapon.

It took no time for the police to wave the druggie accusation. They immediately released the fact that Humbert was wanted on a warrant for possession of marijuana.

At this point everyone waits for the autopsy report.