Photo: Getty Images
Body camera footage has been released in the death of a homeless man who was repeatedly tased by a Pittsburgh police officer, per the Atlanta Black Star.
In the footage, former officer Keith Edmonds approached Jim Rogers on suspicion of bike theft in October 2021.
Edmonds asked Rogers, who was unarmed, a few questions about the alleged bike theft before frisking the man for "officer safety." The now ex-officer took Rogers' wallet out of his pocket. When Rogers attempted to take his wallet back, Edmond forced him face-down on the ground and tased him.
Edmonds ordered Rogers to put his hand behind his back as he again tased the man. At one point during the encounter, Rogers attempted to run away, prompting Edmonds to stun him again.
The former officer ultimately tased Rogers 10 times during the encounter. Video shows Rogers breathing heavily while saying "I’m sorry” and “I’m not dangerous” during the shocks.
More officers arrived at the scene, but no one gave Rogers medical attention. Rogers was put in the back of a police car and taken to a hospital, where he was found to be unresponsive.
Rogers died the following day at the hospital. His cause of death was determined to be acute global hypoxic-ischemic injury of the brain.
Pittsburgh police fired Edmonds and three other officers for excessive force, violating police policies, and failing to administer medical care. Three officers were reinstated last year.
Rogers' family was awarded $8 million, settling a wrongful death lawsuit they filed against the city. No officers faced criminal charges for Rogers' death.
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