A former Rankin police chief who died after a struggle with police following an incident at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in December died as a result of natural causes.
At a press conference held at the Washington County Courthouse Thursday morning, Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said that Darryll Briston died as a result of massive blockage of his coronary arteries.
He said he ruled that the manner of death was natural causes.
Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone that an investigation by his office showed there was no criminal liability on behalf of police.
Briston was accused of punching a patron at the casino on Dec. 15., and when confronted by police, he fled.
Officers caught up with him about a half-mile away, where Vittone said he continued to struggle with police.
Officers applied a Taser, after which Briston experienced shortness of breath.
An ambulance was summoned and medics initiated life-saving measures when Briston went into cardiac arrest.
Warco said the Taser was not responsible for causing his death, and Vittone said all procedures regarding use of force were followed.
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