The Nebraska ACLU is challenging the Douglas County Coroner's report that indicates "excited delirium" caused the death of Zachary Bearheels, a mentally ill man who was tased 12 times by an Omaha Police officer during a struggle last month outside the Bucky's at 60th and Center.
The ACLU argues "excited delirium" doesn't exist. Bearheels's official autopsy lists the taser, along with "physical struggle" and "physical restraint" as causes of death. However, "excited delirium" was the top cause on the Coroner's report.
Amy Miller, Legal Director for the Nebraska ACLU, told WOWT 6 News "Mr. Bearheels did not cause his death by getting overly excited."
Miller says the ACLU is calling for an independent review of Bearheels's autopsy. She said the civil rights organization contends "excited delirium" isn't a legitimate cause of death. "It only seems to happen when they've had a police interaction when physical force is used... No medical experts or organizations agree that excited delirium is a real diagnosis"
At a news conference two weeks ago, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine had full faith in the Coroner's report and the "excited delirium" conclusion. "It's somewhat unusual, but it is something that occurs. And it's something that's in the books and it's a diagnosed cause of death."
The Omaha Police Department has video of the struggle with Bearheels prior to his death. The video hasn't been released. The ACLU is calling for the video to be made public.