Former East Point officers indicted in Taser death

Two former police officers from East Point, Ga. have been indicted on charges of murder in the April 2014 death of Gregory Towns, a 24-year-old unarmed black man who died after a stun gun was used on him while he was in handcuffs. The City of East Point agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Towns’s household… Marcus Eberhart, 41, and former Cpl. The indictment against the officers states that Towns was repeatedly shot with Tasers despite having his hands cuffed behind his back and “exhibiting symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath”.

An post-mortem by the Fulton County medical expert’s workplace discovered Towns died from “hypertensive heart problems exacerbated by bodily exertion and carried out electrical stimulation”.

They each face charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct and violation of oath by a public officer. Calls to a number listed for Eberhart went unanswered. Lawyers who have previously represented each man did not immediately return phone calls and emails Tuesday. Paramedics who arrived moments later told Eberhart that Towns did not have a pulse.

According to a police report obtained by the Towns family lawyer, officers said they used the stun gun on Towns five times. After repeated jolts from the Taser, Towns finally lapsed into unconsciousness.

“We’re happy there has been an indictment for both officers, but it’s not done yet”, Stewart said. Towns was sitting on the ground in a creek catching his breath after running for about a mile when officers caught up with him and handcuffed him.

“Relief, but the journey isn’t over yet”, the attorney for the Towns family, Chris Stewart said in reaction.

Towns’ family in August 2014 filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two officers and the city of East Point. The investigation led to one officer being fired and another resigning.