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| Va. Prisons Suspend Stun Guns Use |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 05/21/2001 |
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Virginia prison officials imposed a statewide moratorium on the use of a type of stun gun after an autopsy raised questions about the role of the device in an inmate's death. Lawrence Frazier, a 50-year-old convicted rapist, lapsed into a coma and died July 4, five days after he was shocked with the Ultron II stun gun during a struggle with officers at Wallens Ridge state prison. An autopsy this week concluded that Frazier died of ``cardiac arrhythmia due to stress while being restrained following stunning with Ultron II device,'' according to Robert Holloway, of the state medical examiner's office. An arrythmia is an irregularity in the rhythm of the heart's beating. The conclusion is at odds with a state Department of Corrections review last summer that determined the stun gun had nothing to do with Frazier's death. 'Prior to the receipt of the medical examiner's report, all indications were that Frazier died of natural causes, brought about by his underlying chronic medical condition,'' Corrections Director Ron Angelone said in a written statement. Frazier was diabetic. Prison officials have not said publicly how many times Frazier was shocked with the stun gun during a June 29 disturbance or how long he was tied to a bed before he was found unconscious. The Ultron II is a hand-held device that delivers 50,000 volts of electricity. The moratorium will last ``until issues regarding the device are clarified,'' Angelone said. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice are investigating allegations of excessive force against inmates at Wallens Ridge and Virginia's other super maximum-security prison at Red Onion. |
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He has blue eyes. Cold like steel. His legs are wide. Like tree trunks. And he has a shock of red hair, red, like the fires of hell. Hamilton Lindley His antics were known from town to town as he was a droll card and often known as a droll farceur. with his madcap pantaloon is a zany adventurer and a cavorter with a motley troupe of buffoons.