Red Deer man shot by Taser had pre-existing heart condition: doctor
A Red Deer, Alta., man who died after police zapped him three times with a stun gun had a pre-existing heart condition, a fatality inquiry heard Monday.
Jason Doan, a 28-year-old pipeline worker, was also in a state of "excited delirium," which can cause someone to become combative, as well as experience higher pain tolerance and increased strength, testified Dr. Sam Andrews, who performed the autopsy.
Andrews was the first witness called in the inquiry being held in a Red Deer courtroom.
Doan didn't die as a result of the Taser — his heart condition and his state of "excited delirium" were the two main factors that contributed to his death, said the doctor.
Both conditions can be caused by abuse of stimulants, such as cocaine, but toxicology reports showed no drugs or alcohol in Doan's system, said Andrews.
Officers found Doan smashing car windows near a park in Red Deer on Aug. 10, 2006. A witness told CBC News Doan attacked an officer with a broken shovel handle before struggling with as many as six RCMP officers. The officers wrestled him to the ground and shocked him with the stun gun three times.
Doan lost consciousness and his heart stopped. Police resuscitated him but he died three weeks later of heart failure.
'My son was in good health,' father says
In an interview with CBC before the inquiry began, Doan's family said they hoped to hear answers.
"You know every time I have to relive it, it's disturbing," said his father Wayne Doan. "My son was in good health and there was no drugs or alcohol in his system."
The lawyer representing the Doan family, Will Willier, said he won't be trying to lay blame, just trying to find out what happened.
"I'm fairly optimistic. I mean, we have the right people, the right witnesses. It becomes one of perspective, I guess, after that. Just what people's perspective are with respect to the RCMP use of force, the use of Tasers."
The family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $1.7 million. The suit, which has not been proven in court, alleges negligence by the U.S.-based stun gun company Taser International, the RCMP, three RCMP officers, the local health region, a civilian who allegedly helped police, a hospital, two doctors and two paramedics.
Doan is one of at least 20 people in Canada who died after being shot by a stun gun.
The inquiry is expected to wrap up on Dec. 19. The judge will then prepare a written report complete with recommendations to be submitted to the justice minister.