Taser Autopsy: Hatchel Pate Adams III (Hampton VA)

36-year old Hatchel Pate Adams III was killed by taser-happy police in Hampton, Virginia last year. The state medical examiner blames his death on everything accept the 50,000 volts of electricity that were shot into his body by an unidentified police officer.

About 11 p.m. on Dec. 10, police went to Adams' home to serve an emergency custody order to determine if Adams was a threat to himself or others.

He refused to open the door, but a family member came to the scene and let police in. After Adams swung a samurai-style sword at the officers and the officers used the Taser. Police used the Taser a second time and Adams stopped breathing.

Assistant chief medical exampiner Wendy Gunther completed the autopsy on Mr. Adams. The cause of death is listed as: "Excited delirium in addition to mental illness in addition to methamphetamine use in addition to obesity in addition to subdual by police."




"...subdual by police... ?" 
Where do they get these terms?

Anyhow, Adams' death was the first involving a Taser since Hampton police began using them in 2003. Police spokeswoman Paula Scheck said the four officers placed on administrative leave after the incident are back to work.

She said the incident didn't violate any department policies and was ruled justified. "They were defending themselves from someone wielding a samurai sword at them," she said.

I keep thinking to myself that the family member who opened up the door for the four unidentified police officers is feeling terrible ... I can't imagine that he thought that his fam (Hatchel Pate Adams) was going to be killed that day.

36 years on earth ... and killed by taser-happy police. Something simply isn't right!

Taser Death: Hatchel Pate Adams III (Hampton VA)

Hatchel Pate Adams III, 36, was in his own home when he was killed by two jolts from police taser guns. Hampton police officers went to his home at 11:00 pm to serve an emergency custody order. Someone wanted Adams to be taken for a mental evaluation to determine whether he was a threat to himself or others. Adams didn't open the door for the police. The police called a family member who came with a key to the house. [SOURCE]

Once inside, Adams swung a samurai-style sword at the officers, who subsequently Tasered him. Adams pulled the Taser probes out and continued to swing the sword at the officers. He was Tasered a second time and stopped breathing.

Officers immediately started CPR and called medics, who took Adams to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 am on Friday.

The four officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave per Hampton Police Division policy while an internal investigation is conducted.

Gunfighter provided a comprehensive look at the use of force continuum. It is hard to believe that four Hampton police officers couldn't have used something less than a taser gun to put this young man in custody.

What say u?