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Inquest ordered in death after Tasing
Ronald Petruney, 49, of 1090 Jefferson Ave., was pronounced dead at Washington Hospital's critical care unit at 6:58 a.m. Saturday. Warco said the cause and manner of Petruney's death are awaiting a full forensic autopsy.
Warco said the inquest will be scheduled following toxicology and autopsy reports by forensic pathologist Dr. Abdulrezzak Shakir. Warco expects it will take several weeks for the reports to be completed.
Washington police Chief James R. Blyth said he welcomes the inquest.
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In the meantime, Blyth again refused to identify the two officers who shot Petruney. The chief, however, said the officers remain working and are not under any restrictions.
One of the officers was patrolling Jefferson Avenue just after 1 p.m. Nov. 17 when he encountered Petruney on the ground near his apartment suffering from what appeared to be a seizure.
Petruney then stood up, disoriented, and attempted to walk into traffic, police said. Petruney refused orders to sit down and charged the officer, biting him and swinging his arms when the two began to struggle.
Another officer arrived on the scene. Petruney was first shot in the legs with two Taser wires. The second officer then applied his Taser directly to Petruney's torso, police said.
According to Blyth, Petruney continued to fight the officers, who then opted to use physical force to restrain him.
When Petruney collapsed, he was attended to by police and ambulance personnel who had been called to the scene before he was transported to Washington Hospital.
Blyth said all officers carrying a Taser are fully trained in its use per department regulations.
He said he has yet to discuss the matter with city solicitor Lane Turturice.
Court records show that Petruney, formerly of Charleroi, had undergone mental health evaluations in the past, including in January 2008 after he allegedly bit a Washington police officer on the wrist. The officer had reported to a call of a fight on North College Street involving Petruney, who was charged with disorderly conduct.
He also was ordered to undergo evaluations after threatening a Charleroi police officer and spraying a 15-year-old boy with pepper spray. He also spent time in Washington County Jail after pleading guilty to hitting a 15-year-old girl.
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