Federal Taser Suit Against North Police Dismissed

According to The Post and Courier, “A judge has dismissed a federal lawsuit against North Charleston police stemming from the 2006 death of a man who was repeatedly jolted with a Taser gun while high on cocaine.”

The wrongful death suit was dismissed after a defense motion because the plaintiff, Black’s mother, and her attorney continually failed to respond to requests and meet court deadlines. The judge did dismiss the case without prejudice, however, which means it can be refiled again.

In October 2006, Kip Black, a mentally impaired man, was stripping and acting wildly when police discovered him. The Post and Courier reports then, “Black began chewing on his driver’s license and running into traffic.” Officers used both tasers and chemical spray, which they said had little effect. It took four officers to bring him to the ground. He was pronounced dead later at a local hospital. According to The Post and Courier, “The Charleston County Coroner’s Office ruled that cocaine use had caused Black to die from ‘excited delirium syndrome.'”