ERIE, Pa. (AP) -- The parents of a 29-year-old woman who died in custody are suing the Erie police and Taser International Inc. claiming police use of the stun gun led to her death.
The Erie County coroner ruled Talia Barnes died of a lethal combination of drugs two days after her July 2011 arrest.
The Erie Times-News (https://bit.ly/12mpuIp ) reports a coroner's report makes no mention of the fact that Barnes was stunned with the device, which the lawsuit claims caused her death because it happened when she was highly intoxicated.
Erie officials haven't seen the lawsuit and declined comment. A Taser spokesman says the company doesn't comment on litigation, but says the weapons are "generally safe and effective."
The lawsuit seeks damages for Barnes' eight surviving children who now range in age from nearly 2 to 17 years old.
