Deputy In Taser Death Back On The Job

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation into an October incident in which a suspect died after a deputy used a Taser on him.

Deputy Chris Guidry was found to have followed all procedures properly, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Craig Stansbury. Guidry is now back on his regular duties after being placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

It is standard for law enforcement agencies to place employees on such leave during internal investigations.

The suspect, Javon Rakestrau, died Oct. 4 after being tased during a narcotics investigation in the Marigny Circle neighborhood near Duson.

Sheriff's officials have previously said that Rakestrau resisted the deputy and tried to run away, forcing Guidry to use his stun gun to control the situation. A video of the incident supports the Sheriff's Office's account.

Meanwhile, a final autopsy report on Rakestrau is not yet complete. The investigation includes a full autopsy, toxicology and microbiology tests to determine whether Rakestrau died from the effects of the Taser or from another cause.

Lafayette Parish Coroner's Office investigator Keith Talamo said his office is awaiting the report, which could be ready within a few weeks.

The autopsy is being done by the Louisiana Forensic Center in Youngsville. An employee there said investigators are trying to complete the autopsy and investigations as soon as possible.