NT: Taser death in Northern Territory
17 Apr 2009 5:59 PM
DARWIN, April 17 AAP - An Alice Springs man has died in police custody after both capsicum spray and a Taser were used to restrain him when police attended a domestic dispute.
The 39-year-old man confronted police in Alice Springs at about 10.30pm on Thursday and continued to struggle after capsicum spray and the Taser were deployed, Northern Territory police say.
"After a short time police observed the person was not breathing and immediately commenced CPR," police said in a statement.
"Ambulance officers arrived and continued to administer CPR however the man died a short time later at the Alice Springs Hospital."
The death is being investigated by the Major Crime Division on behalf of the Northern Territory coroner.
The investigation will be oversighted by the police Ethical and Professional Standards Command.
The death sparked renewed calls for Taser use to be stopped.
Australian Council for Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman called for use of Tasers to be suspended until medical and scientific tests on the deceased man were concluded.
In Brisbane, criminal defence lawyer Michael Bosscher called on the Queensland government to immediately suspend police use of Tasers for a safety review following the death of the Northern Territory man.
"What we have feared has happened," Mr Bosscher said. "Someone has died after being hit by a police Taser.
"Although the fatality was in the Northern Territory, the Queensland government should immediately suspend their use here and conduct thorough, and publicly accountable, safety tests on the devices," Mr Bosscher said.
