After being shot three times by the new “non-lethal” weapon used by US police, the stun Taser, a 57-year-old man’s heart stopped beating on February 18. Joel Casey, who was being arrested on a mental health warrant, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital. He had a heart condition. The eletorcution device’s manufacturer, Taser International, claims the device is completely safe. An Amnesty International report released the week of the attack claimed that 70 people have died in US prisons shortly after being electrocuted with Tasers. More than 300 US police agencies use Tasers, including the Miami police department, which has been under fire for using them on children.

From Green Left Weekly, March 2, 2005.
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