Taser Autopsy: Richard Battistata (Laredo, TX)

It didn't take long for the police and medical examiner in the taser-related killing of Richard Battistata to publicize that his cause of death was a 'cocaine overdose' [SOURCE].

The powers-that-be want us to believe that the 50,000 volts of electricity that were jolted into his body by the taser had nothing to do with it? Evidently so ... Medical examiner Dr. Coreen Stern ruled that a taser had nothing to do with the death 44 year old Richard Battistata.

"The ME results of the autopsy are just one element of the investigation. The P.D. and chief office would like to re iterate no stone will be left unturned."

The three officers (Hernandez, Duncan Jalomo and Jaime Rodriguez) involved in the arrest remain on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Villager's Voice: The cocaine overdose cases that I see on television show a person that is in convulsions ... shaking ... spittle flowing from their mouth. None of this was observed by Police Officer Thelma Hernandez or witnesses when Battistata was being confronted as a burglar. Officer Hernandez confronted the guy ... used her taser ... and Battistata died. Yet, the police are quick to blame the "druggie" and deflect any responsibility for the loss of this man's life.

Laredo Police Identify Police Officers Who Used Taser to Kill Richard Battistata

I was surprised to learn that the Laredo police identified the three officers involved in the taser-killing of 44-year old Richard Battistata. Thelma Hernandez was the officer who decided it was necessary to use the taser gun on Battistata. She was backed up by two other officers -- Duncan Jalomo and Jaime Rodriguez.

All three officers have been put on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Taser Death: Richard Battistata (Laredo, TX)

It happened again! The police killed their 36th person this calendar year using a taser gun. This time the taser-related death occurred in Laredo, TX. Richard Battistata, a local truck driver, died after an unnamed officer blasted 50,000 volts of electricity through his body early Monday morning.

The police haven't accused the victim of being a druggie yet. However, they did use their second favorite post-death tactic in these taser cases ... they issued press release talking about the "violent struggle" that led to decision on the part of the police to pull out their taser guns.

Battistata, 44, died after police tried to arrest him on suspicion of breaking into an apartment. The original call was a report of criminal mischief made at 3:50 a.m. Officers said Battistata had broken a window and gained entry into the apartment. When they tried to arrest him, he fought back and the Taser was used, police said.

He lost consciousness and was taken to the Doctors Hospital, where he was declared dead at 4:33 a.m. Monday.

Three Laredo police officers are on administrative duty pending investigation of the death of Mr. Battistata.

What are your thoughts on these continued taser-related deaths?