Police warned about stun gun use before man’s death

“Repeated, prolonged, and/or continuous exposure(s) to the Taser electrical discharge may cause strong muscle contractions that may impair breathing and respiration,” the Taser manufacturer announced to police departments.

The warning also specifically noted that officers should not use the Taser repeatedly against people who are in a drug-induced state of agitation, or “excited delirium.”

“These (people) are at significant and potentially fatal health risks from further prolonged exertion and/or impaired breathing,” the bulletin said.

Patrick Lee, 21, was shocked into submission by Nashville officers on Sept. 22 after being kicked out of a bar and stripping nude. Lee told the officers he had taken drugs and they found five doses of LSD and some marijuana in his belongings.

After restraining him, Lee appeared to be having respiratory and cardiac problems, so the officers called an ambulance. Lee died two days later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

While police say that the warning was sent via e-mail to all officers using the stun guns, the department has not yet modified internal policy regarding the repeated use of the weapon.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said officers should understand that warnings from manufacturers should be followed.

Departmental officials said they do not know if the two officers, Jonathan Mays and Jamie Scruggs, had read the e-mail before the incident. Aaron said the department does have plans to include this new information in training.

The officers are still on duty but no longer have their Tasers while the department investigates whether they violated policy.

Lee is the second person to die in Nashville after police used Tasers, which were just incorporated into the department in November. Walter Lamont Seats died in May after police subdued him with a Taser shock, but an autopsy revealed that he choked on a plastic bag of cocaine that he attempted to swallow.

Lee’s family’s attorney, Tommy Overton, said a private autopsy indicated that the Taser contributed to his death. The official autopsy is awaiting further toxicology tests, police said.