By Drew Griffin and David Fitzpatrick
CNN
WINNFIELD, La. — A police officer shocked a handcuffed Baron “Scooter” Pikes nine times with a TASER after arresting him on a cocaine charge.
He stopped twitching after seven, according to a coroner’s report. Soon afterward, Pikes was dead.
Now the officer, since fired, could end up facing criminal charges in Pikes’ January death after medical examiners ruled it a homicide.
Dr. Randolph Williams, the Winn Parish coroner, told CNN the 21-year-old sawmill worker was jolted so many times by the 50,000-volt TASER that he might have been dead before the last two shocks were delivered.
Williams ruled Pikes’ death a homicide in June after extensive study.
Winn Parish District Attorney Christopher Nevils said he will decide on any charges against the ex-officer, Scott Nugent, once a Louisiana State Police report on the case is complete.
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