Red Deer Man who died weeks after Tasering was ill: report

Edmontonsun.com

By MICHELLE THOMPSON, SUN MEDIA



A fatality inquiry report suggests a heart condition might have triggered the death of a Red Deer man who was zapped three times with a Taser.

But Jason Doan's grandma said she's certain the young and healthy dad would be alive today if Mounties hadn't used the controversial device Aug. 10, 2006.

Released yesterday, the fatality inquiry report suggests Doan, 28, suffered from a heart condition and possibly pneumonia when Red Deer RCMP shocked him into submission Aug. 10, 2006.

Excited delirium triggered a fatal heart attack for Doan, who died in hospital three weeks later, in the opinion of one of several doctors to testify.

But Doan's grandmother, Lydia Doan, doesn't buy it.

"He'd be with us today if they hadn't used those Tasers," she said, adding those responsible will face justice someday.

"They'll have to stand before a judge far greater than a judge standing on this Earth."

Doan was broke, jobless and lonely when he broke into a violent rage the day he was stunned, the report states.

The single dad took his troubles to the bottle in the weeks preceding his faceoff with cops.

"He was drinking more alcohol than usual, with a pattern of drinking all night long and then sleeping until noon the following day," the report says.

"On one occasion... police left him in cells overnight because he was too drunk to be left alone in his sister's home."

On the day he was stunned, Doan caught the attention of a group of golfers after he emerged from the woods shouting and cursing.

He was making death threats and smashing through parked cars with a patio umbrella, witnesses said.

Seven people living in the community called cops to complain.

When three RCMP cruisers raced to the scene, Doan's erratic behaviour continued, with him racing from the scene on foot.

Cops soon caught up with him and a brief struggle ensued.

Doan showed no signs of tiring or slowing, although the constable attempting to arrest him was getting weak.

Another cop arrived and zapped Doan with a Taser three times.

Soon, Doan began turning blue.

...

But it will take more than that to shift Doan's family from the belief a Taser killed him.

"The family is just devastated," his grandma said. "Nothing will bring him back."

MICHELLE.THOMPSON@SUNMEDIA.CA