"Autopsy shows cocaine killed a Dublin man" - biased news at its most biased

[klaatu]

Note: I've highlighted and commented in some parts of this - Klaatu

http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=241613

Published on Saturday, September 09, 2006

Autopsy shows cocaine killed a Dublin man

DUBLIN — A Dublin man died from cocaine intoxication following an altercation with Bladen County sheriff’s deputies earlier this year, according to an autopsy report.

The struggle between Billy Ray Cook and deputies and Cook’s heart condition may also have contributed to his death, the report says. (no shit, Sherlock - K)

Cook collapsed and died April 16 after being shot with Taser guns by deputies. Lawmen responded to a 911 call at Governor’s Estate subdivision on Owen Hill Road, where they found Cook weaving and yelling, according to lawmen.

Cook assaulted a deputy when the officer tried to stop and talk to him, lawmen said at the time. He continued to be combative. Deputies fired their Tasers multiple times before handcuffing Cook.

Cook, 39, collapsed a few minutes after being restrained.

The autopsy, performed by the state Medical Examiner’s Office, showed that six Taser darts were found in Cook’s upper and lower back and right arm. Eight Taser darts were turned over as evidence. A report of the Taser guns’ activity history indicated there were 38 trigger pulls delivering 5 second bursts of current, the autopsy stated.

The barbed metal probes deliver a jolt of 50,000 volts of electricity. (didn't someone say this guy had a heart condition?!? - K) The jolts are supposed to incapacitate a person for about five seconds.

Four deputies responded to the scene. The report did not state whether all four deputies fired their Tasers.

Bladen County Sheriff Steve Bunn could not be reached for comment.

History of drug abuse

There were traces of cocaine and alcohol in Cook’s system, according to the report. Cook had a history of alcohol and cocaine use, the report stated. Cook also had severe coronary artery disease.

The State Bureau of Investigation conducted an independent investigation into the incident and submitted its report to the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office.

The county received a copy of the report from the District Attorney’s Office. The report was sent to the county’s insurance company this week, County Attorney Wes Johnson said.

District Attorney Rex Gore could not be reached for comment.

Lawyers representing Cook’s estate have not received a copy of the SBI report, said Cynthia Singletary, one of the lawyers.

“We are just sitting back waiting on the SBI report,’’ Singletary said. “We will look at what it says before we start an investigation of our own.’’

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Clearly "Cocaine killed Dublin man" is the right headline rather than "Heart disease kills Dublin man" or "Alcohol abuse kills Dublin man" or even "Multiple Taser shots kills Dublin man with heart disease".

Journalism at its finest...

Klaatu