Man Shot With Taser Died of Lacerated Spleen

[MrScorpio]

The tasering may not have killed him, but his death is suspicious nonetheless.

By AMANDA RAUS
Updated 3:19 PM EDT, Wed, Jul 14, 2010

The family of a New Britain man who died while in police custody wants answers about what caused his death. On Wednesday afternoon, the medical examiner ruled that Anibal Rosario-Rodriguez, 61, died of a lacerated spleen.

Police arrested Rosario-Rodriguez on Tuesday on allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend after getting a call from the Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General.
When police attempted to take Rosario-Rodriguez into custody, he wouldn't obey the officers and fled, police said. Police officers used a Taser on him, which caused him to fall to the ground.

Rosario-Rodriguez was taken to the hospital, where police said he later died from unknown medical complications.

Rosario-Rodriguez’s daughter of led her family to the corner of Spring and North streets in New Britain on Tuesday to place flowers, pictures and candles at the spot where Rosario-Rodriguez was arrested.

His family said something isn't right, and wondered if the stun gun led to the cardiac arrest that killed him. They said Rosario-Rodriguez was a healthy man and think the police department used excessive force in trying to subdue him.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local-beat/Suspect-Tased-by-Police-Dies-in-Custody-98387944.html

[stray cat]

1. manybe his girlfriend defended herself and got off a hit?

[mike_c]

2. that's usually an injury associated with severe beating...

...or falling from a pretty decent height. Just falling down? Color me skeptical.