A wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the mother of a man who died after he was “Tasered” by Lafayette police last year will now be heard in federal court.
Wendy Wilson, the mother of 22-year-old Ryan Wilson, says in her lawsuit that police caused her son’s death after an officer used a Taser on the back of his head during an investigation into marijuana cultivation.
“Ryan Wilson immediately fell to the ground, became unresponsive, convulsed and died,” the lawsuit says.
“The toxicology report concludes no trace of drugs or alcohol in Mr. Wilson. He was later diagnosed as having a pre-existing heart condition,” the suit says.
Wilson ran from police on Aug. 4, 2006, when they encountered him in a Louisville field after receiving a tip that marijuana was being grown there.
The case against the city of Lafayette, the Police Department and Taser International was removed from Boulder County, where it was filed Aug. 2, and refiled in U.S. District Court late Friday.
The case was moved to federal court because of allegations in the lawsuit that Wilson’s constitutional rights were violated.
The lawsuit also names Police Chief Paul Schultz and Officer John Harris, the police officer who used the Taser – an electric stun gun. An internal investigation into the incident cleared Harris.
Police reports also said Harris fired the Taser after Wilson appeared to reach for a knife clipped to his pants.
Alexandra Lynch, spokeswoman for the city of Lafayette, said Tuesday that city officials would not comment on pending litigation.
Wilson is also suing Taser International for product liability, claiming its device is “unreasonably dangerous and defective for use on human beings.”
A spokesperson for Taser International did not return a call seeking comment on Tuesday.
A Boulder County coroner’s autopsy showed that Wilson died from a combination of factors: exerting himself while running from police, a congenitally narrow opening of the coronary artery and the shock from the Taser.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
