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Medical Examiner: Tasered Man Died From Cocaine

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Sep 24, 2008 1:20 pm US/Eastern

Medical Examiner: Tasered Man Died From Cocaine

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ― A medical examiner says a Monroeville man who died shortly after being zapped with a police taser died from consuming cocaine, not from the electric shock.

Allegheny County Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams announced his findings at a news conference this morning.

He says 37-year-old Andre Thomas died of acute cocaine intoxication, which caused his heart to stop.

Williams says the electric shock did not contribute to Thomas' death.

Williams has already said he does not believe police used excessive force against 37-year-old Andre Thomas.

But the man's family says abrasions on the body indicate otherwise.

Thomas died after Swissvale police arrested him.

The county prosecutor has since convened a panel to study the use of the electronic stun devices.

The police say Thomas had been trying to enter people's homes and they used the Taser after Thomas made "furtive movements" toward officers.

Stay with KDKA for more details.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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