Brian Cardall was a 32-year-old scientist, artist, musician and father of two who suffered from bipolar disorder. On June 9, 2009, he had a manic episode while traveling with his wife and children on a highway near Hurricane, Utah. He stripped off his clothes and ran onto the road, trying to flag down cars or direct traffic. His wife called 911 for medical assistance, but instead of getting help, Brian Cardall was killed by a police officer who used a Taser to subdue him. What caused his death and who was responsible for it?
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The Taser Incident
According to KSL.com, when the police arrived at the scene, they found Brian Cardall naked and unarmed, shouting nonsensical sentences. He was no longer in the roadway, but Officer Ken Thompson approached him with his Taser drawn. He did not attempt to calm him down or use any other less-lethal means to control him. He fired two Taser darts into Cardall’s chest, very close to his heart. Cardall fell to the ground after the first shock, but Thompson deployed a second shock. He then handcuffed him and left him face down in the dirt.
Cardall’s wife, Anna, who witnessed the incident, asked the officers if her husband was still breathing. They did not check his vital signs or try to resuscitate him. A few minutes later, another officer noticed that Cardall’s lips were blue. Paramedics arrived and found that he had gone into cardiac arrest. They tried to revive him, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Medical Examiner’s Report
The autopsy report by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Erik Christensen stated that the cause of Brian Cardall’s death was ventricular fibrillation, a faulty rhythm in the heart muscle that stops the blood flow to the body. The report said that this condition “is consistent with findings seen in cases of electrocution” and that it “is possible that the [Taser] is a primary or contributory cause of death”.
The report also listed several factors that increased the risk of cardiac arrest from a Taser shock. These included:
- The lack of clothing that allowed the Taser darts to penetrate deeper into the chest muscle.
- The proximity of the darts to the heart.
- The use of two Taser cycles instead of one.
- The underlying bipolar disorder and manic episode that may have heightened Cardall’s physiological response.
The report ruled out “excited delirium”, a controversial diagnosis that has been used by police and Taser manufacturers to explain some deaths after Taser use. The report said that some elements of this supposed disorder did not occur in Cardall’s case, such as hyperthermia, agitation or violence.
The Legal Consequences
Brian Cardall’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Hurricane, Officer Thompson, Police Chief Lynn Excell and any others involved in his death. They alleged that the officers used excessive force, violated Cardall’s constitutional rights, inflicted emotional distress on his wife and failed to provide medical care.
However, a team of prosecutors from Washington County decided not to file criminal charges against Officer Thompson. They said that he acted “in a manner consistent with his training” and that he faced “a tense, uncertain and rapidly unfolding situation”.
The civil lawsuit was settled in 2012 for an undisclosed amount. The city of Hurricane did not admit any wrongdoing or liability. The family also received an apology letter from Officer Thompson, who expressed his regret and sorrow for what happened.
The Legacy of Brian Cardall
Brian Cardall was a talented and accomplished scientist who specialized in evolutionary biology. He had a PhD from Arizona State University and worked as an assistant professor at Southern Utah University. He had published several papers and received grants for his research on animal behavior and ecology.
He was also a creative and passionate artist who loved music, painting and photography. He played several instruments and composed songs for his band, The Furs. He had a keen eye for beauty and captured stunning images of nature and wildlife.
He was a devoted husband and father who adored his wife and two daughters. He was described by his family and friends as a kind, generous and fun-loving person who had a great sense of humor.
He struggled with bipolar disorder for most of his adult life, but he did not let it define him or stop him from pursuing his dreams. He sought treatment and medication for his condition and tried to cope with its challenges.
His death was a tragic loss for his family, his colleagues, his students and his community. His death also raised awareness about the dangers of Taser use and the need for better training and policies for police officers who encounter people with mental illnesses.
His family created a website in his memory (briancardall.com) where they share his story, his achievements and his artworks. They also advocate for mental health awareness and reform in the criminal justice system. They hope that by honoring his life and exposing his death, they can prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.
