The attorney representing the family of a man who died after a Swissvale police officer shocked him with a Taser wants the state Attorney General's Office to investigate the Aug. 5 incident.
"The family and I believe another side of the story must be told," said attorney Howard Messer, who called on Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and county Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams to order an open inquest or surrender the case to the "objective eye" of Attorney General Tom Corbett's investigators.
Former county medical examiner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, hired by the family, performed a second autopsy on the body of Andre Thomas, 37, before his burial. Wecht's autopsy is inconclusive, Messer said. The forensic pathologist could not test Thomas' blood because the body had been embalmed.
Wecht did take tissue samples, Messer said, and would like to perform tests on Thomas' heart. Messer said the medical examiner's office has the heart and has "not responded" to his and Wecht's requests to release it.
Neither Zappala nor Williams returned calls this morning.
Messer said Wecht photographed 17 bruises and cuts on Thomas' body. Messer believes there is evidence that Thomas might have died from positional asphyxiation -- meaning his ability to breathe was cut off, possibly when the three Swissvale officers subdued him.
Authorities have said that Thomas suffered a heart attack after several minutes of erratic behavior. Eight residents called 911after Thomas knocked on doors asking for help, saying he was being chased by unseen assailants.
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