Facts Come Out in August Police Killing

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 1, 2007 2:25PM

Autopsy results released yesterday in the death of Gefery Johnson revealed that the 42-year-old Gresham resident died of cocaine intoxication and not from being shocked by a taser while being arrested by police. In August, police responded to a domestic disturbance call at Johnson's family residence, where he "became really combative with police" and resisted arrest. Police subdued Johnson with pepper spray and the taser. He was pronounced dead at St. Bernard Hospital. Johnson's death, followed by the police-related shooting of 18-year-old Aaron Harrison a few days later, led to heated protests against the police department, charges of police brutality, and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Johnson's family.

The autopsy reports could put that lawsuit in jeopardy. Chicagoist wonders if the ministers that were so quick to come out of the woodwork and support Johnson's family while decrying police brutality will now make their collective presence felt now that drugs have been revealed as the cause of his death.