LIVONIA, Mich., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A cousin of a Livonia, Mich., man who died after police used a stun gun on him accused officers Wednesday of beating him up.
Michael Ford, 50, was removed from life support in Beaumont Hospital, The Detroit News reported. Police said he fell and hit his head after an officer used a Taser on him.
Ewayne Harrell said Ford had injuries that could not be explained by that version of events.
"He had a ruptured spleen, a cracked pelvis and cracks in the front and back of his head. I don't see how you can get all that from a Taser," Harrell said.
Officers used a Taser on Ford in the early morning hours of Aug. 14. One Livonia police officer said when he responded to a complaint about loud music in an apartment complex he found Ford in the parking lot holding a kitchen knife.
Ford refused to drop the weapon, the officer said.
"This was a deadly force situation and when there's no compliance to drop the weapon, the officer uses a Taser; it's better than shooting his gun," Deputy Police Chief Curtis Caid said Tuesday.
