SBI report clears police in death
Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 22, 2012
FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — A report by the State Bureau of Investigation has cleared Fayetteville police officers in the Taser-related death of a local activist.
Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West announced the findings Wednesday. He says no charges will be filed.
The 2011 death of Michael Evans, 56, led to a temporary moratorium on the use of Tasers by Fayetteville police.
A report by the state medical examiner determined that Evans died of a cocaine overdose, but that a shock from an X26 Taser while he struggled with officers was one of the contributing factors.
Police officers were trying to restrain Evans after receiving calls that he was trying to jump on passing vehicles last August.