Inquest ordered in WA death after police struggle

SEATTLE (AP) -- The King County executive has ordered an inquest into the September death of an armed West Seattle man after a confrontation with police who used a stun gun on him during a struggle and restrained him.

County Executive Dow Constantine's office said Thursday that Seattle police responding Sept. 6 to a call from Mike Chen found him slumped on the ground with a sword in front of an apartment door. Police say they used a stun gun several times when Chen grabbed the sword and started to sit up. Chen showed no pulse after being handcuffed and restrained so police say they administered CPR. He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he died several days later.

County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg recommended the inquest.

The county medical examiner's office indicated the cause of death was associated with excited delirium as well as acute meth intoxication. The manner of death has been listed as undetermined.

AP.