I tried to do some research on the Vancouver incident, but there is little real information out there. I did watch the bystander video, and it is compelling.
The suspect was out of control. He had gone well beyond any simple attention-getting measures. He...
- had already thrown chairs and other items against a plate window wall
- had formed a barricade with chairs in the doorway
- was continuing to wield a chair as if to throw it
- was breathing heavily, his breath audible and his chest visibly heaving
- did not appear to want to communicate with the lady who was evidently and unmistakably trying to communicate with him
- was hostile to the calm approach of uniformed police
- became only more agitated at their calm attempts to have a presence and engage him
Given the back story, I can understand why the man would be agitated. However, I do not understand his wanton displays of physical aggression, damage of property and possible endangerment of others. The police had to step in and engage him.
Fights are chaotic and prone to serious injury or death on both sides. Those dangers are only amplified when you add agitation, drugs or mental instability. I say this from experience, and until you add the continual reality of fighting agitated people to your résumé and legal training, you probably cannot fully understand what is involved. You can get an idea, though, if you are willing to spend some time trying to understand. There is a reason police officers are given and rely on tools such as the Taser, and very good reasons why they choose to deploy them in situations such as the Vancouver incident.
I am very glad the amateur cameraman was there and filmed several minutes before the arrival of the police. In the U.S., the police use of force would be justified without a doubt. It would be scrutinized extremely closely, as any death in custody is.
The suspect's mind and body are decidedly in an abnormal state (do a search on "excited delirium" and custody-relate deaths). There is no description of or conclusion regarding the obvious psycho/physiological factors at play in this Vancouver incident. It is irresponsible to draw any conclusions, let alone singularly attribute the death to the Taser.
Below is an interactive and informative link describing Taser inclusion in incidents where other factors are involved. Click on the incidents to read more about them.
CBC News Interactive: Canada - Tasers