Minneapolis Chief clears cops in Taser death

Published 12:54 pm Saturday, October 23, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan says two officers who used a Taser gun on a suspect who died about a week later appear to have followed proper protocol and policies.

Officers confronted 28-year-old David Smith after a report he was disturbing members at a Minneapolis YMCA on Sept. 9, and stunned him with a Taser after he struggled against their efforts to physically remove him. Smith died on Sept. 17 after he was declared brain dead and disconnected from life support equipment.

The unidentified officers have been on paid administrative leave since the incident. Dolan says Friday that an initial review finds they responded properly but that a full investigation will be completed.

Email newsletter signup