As an investigation continued Wednesday into the death of an Arizona man after a Hurricane police officer used a Taser on him, his brother said family members hold no grudge against the officer.
The Washington County Critical Incident Task Force confirmed that Brian L. Cardall, 32, was the man who died in the incident Tuesday afternoon on state Road 59 in Washington County. Cardall is the son of KSL editorial director Duane Cardall.
Brian Cardall's brother, Paul, told Deseret News on Wednesday that the family doesn't have a detailed account of what took place because of the ongoing investigation.
"For some reason the officers did what they did, and he died on the scene," Paul Cardall said. "I'm sure the officer involved feels horrible. We don't hold any grudges toward the officer. We just want it to be a thorough investigation. Hopefully they can resolve some issues and this will never happen to another person who has mental illness."
Washington County Undersheriff Jake Adams said Brian Cardall's body was transported to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy, which was conducted Wednesday.
Adams told the Deseret News on Wednesday that the results of that autopsy "would not be available for a couple of weeks," as a toxicology report also would have to be performed.
Meanwhile, the task force continues to gather and process evidence relating to the incident. But Adams declined to offer any details about what happened until the investigation is complete.
"At this point, there is no time frame for completion of the investigation," Adams said in a news release. "The task force is working carefully and deliberately to collect and preserve the evidence."
Adams did say that the task force has interviewed people at the scene, including witnesses, law enforcement and medical personnel, and they have collected audio recordings of 911 calls regarding the incident.
They also have collected and reviewed an audio recording of the incident that was captured on a digital recorder by the officer involved, Adams said.
"The task force has reached no conclusions as to the significance of any evidence gathered in this incident and will not do so until the investigation is complete," Adams said.
After the investigation is complete, the materials and reports will be referred to the Washington County Attorney's Office, which will review the evidence and determine if the use of force was justified under Utah law, Adams said.
The Hurricane Police Department has refused to comment on the situation and has given no details about the incident, referring all inquiries to Salt Lake City attorney Peter Stirba.
By phone Wednesday, Stirba declined to talk about the situation, saying that "it wouldn't be appropriate to comment" during the investigation. Stirba also would not say whether the officer involved in the situation has been placed on administrative leave.
According to KSL, Brian Cardall and his wife, who is six months pregnant, had been visiting his family in Salt Lake City. As they were driving home to Flagstaff, Ariz., his wife said, Cardall, who has a recent history of mental illness, was having an episode. That prompted them to pull over in order to medicate him.
At some point, Brian Cardall got out of the vehicle and began to run down the road, according to KSL. That's when his wife called 911. She later learned he had been hit with a Taser and was unresponsive.
Paul Cardall said his brother was an "amazing man and an incredible human being … He wasn't even able to donate (his organs) because he died right there on the scene." Ironically, Paul Cardall needs a heart transplant and has been waiting since September for a donor heart.
"It's one of the most ironic, tragic events, and we're just all heartbroken … It's a hard predicament for me, because the focus has been on me this whole time," as he has lived with congenital heart disease and endured numerous medical procedures since birth.
The Deseret News is following Paul Cardall's journey toward a transplant in an occasional series of stories.
Despite his own history of heart problems, Paul Cardall said his brother "hasn't had any heart symptoms, but he's had really high blood sugar," though he was not a diabetic. "Sometimes with a lot of anxiety and adrenaline it can boost his blood sugar and he would become irrational. They never really pinpointed in all these years what specifically he had."
Brian Cardall's wife "is coping as well as she can and is surrounded by great family on both sides who are strong in their faith," his brother said. "She's comforted by that and by knowing that Brian is now free from many of the things in the body that held him back."
Taser International, the company that makes the product used by many law enforcement agencies, issued its own statement about the death
"Until all the facts surrounding this tragic incident are known, it is inappropriate to jump to conclusions on the cause of death. We believe that Taser technology protects life and if called upon we are prepared to help the investigation of this unfortunate incident," the statement said.
"Although no use of force device is risk free, including Taser technology, when used properly, medical and law enforcement experts have concluded that Taser technology is among the most effective response to resistance available to law enforcement officers to halt potentially violent situations that may pose a safety risk to an officer, suspect or innocent citizens," the statement said.
The task force has asked any member of the public that has information regarding this case contact Capt. Barry Golding with the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4305.
E-MAIL: ethomas@desnews.com; carrie@desnews.com