06-04-2010, 11:48 PM
Cops investigating Waukegan man's death after Tasering
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By Tony Gordon Published: 6/4/2010 4:02 PM
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the case of a Waukegan man who died after being Tasered by police.
Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said Jose Martinez, 53, died of severe heart disease, and police use of the electric shock device was a contributing factor.
Martinez, of the 800 block of Grand Avenue, was one of two people police were asked to investigate outside Dave's Liquors, 2300 Grand Ave., just after midnight Sunday.
Deputy State's Attorney Jeff Pavletic said the task force is investigating and attempting to determine what happened between Martinez and police. He declined to comment further.
Waukegan Police Lt. Edward Fitzgerald also said he would not comment until the investigation was complete.
Keller said Martinez died at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan about 1:20 a.m. Sunday.
He said an autopsy performed the following day showed Martinez suffered from severe heart disease.
Keller said preliminary toxicology tests showed Martinez had alcohol in his system but that a full report would not be available for a few days.
Keller said Martinez's death was the first in Lake County to come after a person was Tasered.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=385815">http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=385815</a><!-- m -->
By Tony Gordon Published: 6/4/2010 4:02 PM
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the case of a Waukegan man who died after being Tasered by police.
Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said Jose Martinez, 53, died of severe heart disease, and police use of the electric shock device was a contributing factor.
Martinez, of the 800 block of Grand Avenue, was one of two people police were asked to investigate outside Dave's Liquors, 2300 Grand Ave., just after midnight Sunday.
Deputy State's Attorney Jeff Pavletic said the task force is investigating and attempting to determine what happened between Martinez and police. He declined to comment further.
Waukegan Police Lt. Edward Fitzgerald also said he would not comment until the investigation was complete.
Keller said Martinez died at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan about 1:20 a.m. Sunday.
He said an autopsy performed the following day showed Martinez suffered from severe heart disease.
Keller said preliminary toxicology tests showed Martinez had alcohol in his system but that a full report would not be available for a few days.
Keller said Martinez's death was the first in Lake County to come after a person was Tasered.