KOUNTZE, Texas (AP) — A Hardin County grand jury has declined to indict two Lumberton police officers in whose custody a Port Arthur man died earlier this year.
An autopsy showed that the April 30 death of 35-year-old Kevin LaDay was caused by potentially lethal levels of PCP. However, his mother had accused the officers of beating LaDay. The allegations fueled racial tensions.
The incident started when LaDay veered his car into a ditch. When police tried to administer a field sobriety test, LaDay ran. The officers caught and struggled with LaDay, then jolted him with a Taser gun. LaDay lost consciousness and died later at a hospital.
The FBI also has been investigating the incident.
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