The Region - News from May 24, 1985

A man who died after receiving a shock from a Los Angeles police Taser gun six weeks ago already had a heart condition and was under the influence of PCP at the time he received the shock, according to coroner’s spokesman Bill Gold. Toxicological tests showed that Cornelius Garland Smith, 35, died from a combination of medication he was taking for the heart condition, the PCP and the electric shock, Gold said. Smith, of Los Angeles, was found writhing on the ground and screaming at 110th Street and Avalon Boulevard on April 11. Officers said that when they approached, Smith jumped up, began break-dancing and kicking the side of their patrol car. They gave him a shock from the Taser gun, which is designed to stun people who are violent in resisting arrest.