Inquest Hears Man Tasered Multiple Times Told Police ‘I’m about to die’

An inquest revealed that a father of three children stated to police, “I’m about to die, I beg you,” following multiple Taser discharges. Authorities had previously indicated that Sali Byberi was resisting arrest for an alleged assault on an officer at his residence in Braintree during November 2022. The 29-year-old individual was subjected to Taser deployment, subsequently experienced a decline in health, and was declared deceased at the location shortly thereafter. Jurors at Essex coroner’s court viewed body camera footage recorded by police officers depicting the events immediately preceding his death. Following a forensic post-mortem examination, the preliminary cause of death was identified as “complications resulting from acute cocaine toxicity.” Personnel from Essex Police responded to a reported disturbance on Clockhouse Way around 11:30 on November 21. The video evidence showed Mr. Byberi opening the door, and a woman, identified as his partner, departing the apartment. His voice was audible stating: “I’ve done nothing wrong, are you being serious?” Mr. Byberi was also heard exclaiming, “I cannot trust that you are police, that’s fake uniform and you know it,” prior to accusing an officer of attempting to “take my stuff.” Ultimately, a female police officer shouted, “stop shouting at me, I’ve had enough,” and characterized his behavior as “very intimidating.” Mr. Byberi was observed exiting the apartment and proceeding down a corridor as his conduct intensified, and a Taser device was deployed repeatedly while he faced accusations of resisting arrest on suspicion of assaulting an officer. The video presented to the jurors included officers issuing warnings such as “we’ve got Tasers, stop” and “you’re being aggressive, I will Taser you.” Mr. Byberi subsequently knelt against a cabinet within a bedroom and was placed in handcuffs. Officers instructed him to breathe as he experienced difficulty breathing, and he uttered: “I’m about to die, I beg you, I beg of you.” Law enforcement personnel directed him to sit on the bed, and he reiterated: “Please, I haven’t done anything, I beg of you.” A female police officer later remarked, “I think he’s got acute behavioural disorder,” leading to the summoning of an ambulance. Emergency medical technicians were observed applying cold towels to his head, and one instructed: “Stop fighting against us, stop struggling.” His death was officially declared around 13:15. The coroner was informed that Mr. Byberi’s blood contained 811 micrograms of cocaine per litre upon examination of his body. Ben Swift, a Home Office pathologist, testified to the court that this concentration falls within the range linked to fatal outcomes. Furthermore, jurors were informed that Mr. Byberi was a “chronic cocaine abuser.” He operated a family-owned car wash enterprise situated in Sudbury, Suffolk. The inquest proceedings are ongoing. For updates on Essex news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.