Man dies in police custody after being Tasered

By Vince Mancini

Published on September 06, 2005

Leonard Stewart, 36, was found unresponsive in a holding cell at the Darby Police station and brought to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Borough Mayor Paula Brown said she was told Stewart had been hit twice with a Taser after struggling with police.

Stewart was arrested shortly after midnight when officers responded to a burglary call at the 100 block of Branford Road. Family members said the disturbance was a confrontation between Stewart, who lived on the block, his girlfriend and another man over money. Stewart's aunt said he owed his girlfriend $100, which she said caused the fight.

Stewart's uncle said Stewart was thrown out of a second story window and was knocking on a neighbor's door asking for help when he was arrested.

The cause of death has not yet been determined, despite an autopsy performed Sunday. Stewart's father said he was told his son had suffered several lacerations, but that none were serious enough to cause his death.

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