Autopsy In On APD Taser Case

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Medical investigators say several factors contributed to the death of 38 year old Jerry Perea, including obesity and meth.

On March 21st, Perea was in a fight with Albuquerque Police after they responded to a domestic violence call at the home of his parents. Police found Perea riding a bicycle in the North Valley. Officers say he stopped and attacked one of the officers, hitting the officer in the head with a crucifix.

Police say they used a taser on Perea to calm him down. At first he was alert and talking, even apologizing for hitting the officer. But a short time later he died on the way to the hospital.

"He was obese. He had some heart disease. He had an enlarged heart. He was under the influence of methamphetamine," said Dr. Clarissa Krinsky, Medical Investigator.

She says there were several other factors that also contributed to his death -- which she ruled as undetermined.