Bladen County settles Taser death case

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It happened months ago, but we’re just learning of a settlement between Bladen County and the estate of a man who died while in the custody of the Sheriff’s Office. Billy Ray Cook died in April 2006 after deputies Tased him while trying to arrest him. Lawyers for his estate claimed they may have used the Taser as many as 38 times on Cook.

North Carolina Lawyers Weekly reports earlier this year, before a federal judge could rule in the wrongful death case, the two sides agreed to a $325,000 settlement.

Month’s after Cook’s death District Attorney Rex Gore cleared the Sheriff’s Office of any wrongdoing.