Autopsies: Taser victims had prior medical problems

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two people who died after police used Tasers on them have been ruled homicides by the DeKalb County medical examiner, but the officers involved likely won't be prosecuted.

Autopsies found that both victims were under the influence of drugs and had prior medical conditions, including obesity, medical examiner Pat Bailey said Wednesday.

Medical examiner’s reports released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ruled the use of a Taser was one of several factors that contributed to Audrecas Davis’ and Sukeba Jackson-Olawunmi’s deaths. Any death that follows an altercation between two people is considered a homicide, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is a murder, the medical examiner said.

“If you remove the Taser, you can’t say they wouldn’t have died anyway,” Bailey said.

Prosecutors, who will be reviewing the autopsies, will determine whether there is reason to send the cases to a grand jury, spokesman Orzy Theus said.

Davis, 29, died from cardiorespiratory arrest and had marijuana, caffeine and nicotine in his system. He also suffered from hypertension and sickle cell disease.

Jackson-Olawunmi, 40, died of a cocaine-induced delirium. In addition to cocaine, she had blood pressure medication in her system to treat her hypertension, the report stated.

Physical exertion and morbid obesity also contributed to their deaths: Davis was 445 pounds; Jackson-Olawunmi 359 pounds.

Steve Apolinsky, a lawyer for Davis’ family, said the family had not reviewed the report yet and did not want to comment.

The report showed Davis suffered a seizure and drug hallucinations inside the Budgetel Inn on Chamblee-Tucker Road on May 9. Paramedics called police after Davis became combative, according to a police report obtained by the AJC.

During the struggle, officers used a Taser on Davis five times to get him to comply with their commands. Officers said in their report that they repeated the shocks because the weapon had no effect on the man.

It was only after paramedics injected Davis with valium that he calmed down. His heart also slowed down after the drug, the report stated. He was pronounced dead about 25 minutes later at the hospital.

The medical examiner also indicated that a Taser had been used on Davis before by Gwinnett Police in 2006 and he had a history of drug-related arrests.

Jackson-Olawunmi died May 14 after a Taser was used on her four times. Police were called to a Clarkson apartment complex after neighbors reported she was frantically shouting that someone was trying to kill her, according to witness statements. She kicked in several doors before falling off a second-floor balcony.

Police arrived to find Jackson-Olawunmi stealing a car and attempting to flee, the report stated. A Taser was used on her after she refused to surrender and fought officers. She remained violent until police used the Taser against her side. Thirty seconds later, she became unresponsive. She was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.