Hollister
– The forensic pathologist who determined the unarmed man shot
by a sheriff’s deputy died of excited delirium explained Friday how
a combination of factors contributed to the death.
Hollister – The forensic pathologist who determined the unarmed man shot by a sheriff’s deputy died of excited delirium explained Friday how a combination of factors contributed to the death.
Dr. John Hain, a forensic pathologist with the Monterey County Coroner’s Office, said excited delirium often causes a psychotic episode and bizarre behavior in those afflicted.
He said 29-year-old Israel Guerrero’s nervous system was overloaded from drug use and struggles with deputies. Hain noted that Guerrero’s heart stopped after being shocked with a Taser, shot with a gun, sprayed with pepper spray and resisting law enforcers.
Exactly how excited delirium causes death is difficult to say, Hain said.
“I don’t think anyone really knows the mechanism of death,” he said.
Sgt. Mike Rodrigues shot an aggressive and advancing 29-year-old Israel Guerrero after he refused to follow the directions of deputies June 10 during a confrontation on Highway 156, according to the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office. Guerrero was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The sergeant wrote in his incident report he felt his life was in danger because Guerrero came close enough to grab his gun.
Hain’s toxicology report, released Thursday, showed that Guerrero had “potentially toxic” levels of methamphetamine in his system. Guerrero also had near “potentially toxic” levels of cocaine in his body, according to the report.
Dr. Robert Lawrence, a Stockton-based forensic pathologist, said drugs and high levels of adrenaline coupled with lack of oxygen contribute to death in cases of excited delirium.
Lawrence said the death sounded like a typical case of excited delirium.
“The only thing that is added in is the gunshot wound, which is not typical,” Lawrence said.
People who suffer from excited delirium often are not aware of their surroundings and have difficulty following directions, said James Bourgeois, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of California, Davis.
Sheriff Curtis Hill has said Rodrigues followed proper policies and procedures in the shooting. District Attorney Candice Hooper will determine if the shooting is justified.
Hooper had yet to make a decision when reached by cell phone Friday at a conference she attended this week in Napa County. The district attorney said she will not make a decision until she receives all reports pertaining to the incident.
“I believe there is one, if not more, reports outstanding,” said Hooper, who declined to elaborate on the reports.
Hill allowed Rodrigues to go back to work last week – while not carrying a gun – to help prepare Hollister Motorcycle Rally security.
Hooper asserted Hill made the right decision in allowing Rodrigues to go back to work on limited duty.
“I think it’s good to be able to still utilize his talents,” she said.
