Cause Of Death In Taser Incident Announced

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state medical examiner's office says a woman who died after a police officer shocked her twice with a Taser while she was on the ground and in handcuffs had cocaine in her

Friday, June 22nd 2007, 2:12 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state medical examiner's office says a woman who died after a police officer shocked her twice with a Taser while she was on the ground and in handcuffs had cocaine in her system.

Investigator Rob Deaton says the cocaine contributed to the death of Milisha Thompson and the Taser is not listed as contributing to the death.

Thompson died May 19th after her struggle with police near the City Rescue Mission in downtown Oklahoma City.

Deaton says Thompson died of "excited delirium" in which a person's heart becomes overtaxed by the effects of drugs and a high level of stress.

He says the cause of death is being ruled accidental.

Related stories:

5/20/2007 Woman Dies After Police Shoot Her With Taser

5/22/2007 Woman Dies After Being Handcuffed, Stunned With Taser By Police

5/31/2007 Police Release Video, Answer Questions In Taser Death

6/11/2007 - Woman's Death Raises Questions About Police Use Of Tasers