Original Article Medical Examiner Rules Homicide In Taser Death Case Psychotic Delirium, Hypertensive Disease, Not Taser, Cause Of Death POSTED: 10:04 am CDT August 10, 2005 UPDATED: 10:09 am CDT August 11, 2005 HOUSTON -- The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office has determined homicide, not a Taser gun, was the cause of a death for man who died after authorities shot him with the stun gun, Local 2 reported Tuesday. The medical examiner ruled Joel Casey's death as psychotic delirium with associated hypertensive disease. Casey, 52, died in February after deputy constables with the Harris County Precinct 1's mental health unit used the stun gun to take him into custody outside his home in the 4700 block of Meyerwood. Casey's mother -- who called authorities and asked for help getting her son to a hospital so he could receive treatment for his schizophrenia -- claimed authorities used unnecessary force, which led to his death. Authorities investigating the case said the two officers who responded to the call were not aware that Casey had a weak heart. His heart stopped beating after he was shot with the 50,000-volt Taser gun. The medical examiner's ruling did not directly cite the stun gun as a factor in Casey's death. Dr. Paul Radelat, a forensic pathologist in private practice who has been hired as an expert in numerous cases, noted Casey's exertion during the arrest. "Here's a man with pre-existing heart trouble struggling against the officers, and that exertion produced a heart attack, which is how you could end up with a homicide ruling," said Radelat, who is not involved in the case. An autopsy has not been released, and officials declined to comment further on the findings. Assistant District Attorney Joe Owmby, who heads the police integrity division, said the homicide ruling guarantees a grand jury hearing, probably within a month. Precinct 1 Chief Deputy J.C. Mosier said officers did not know about Casey's heart problems. A medical history they received from a psychiatric program indicated that he was in good health. "Had we known, we would have handled it a lot differently, and a Taser would never have been used," Mosier said. "We do regret this, but I have always said the Taser did not cause his death." The Harris County District Attorney will now decide whether or not to file charges in the case. Investigators said Casey had a history of mental illness.