CANTERBURY, Conn. — Connecticut State Police are investigating the death of a Tolland County man who died days after a trooper used a Taser on him in late August.
Two State Police troopers responded to a domestic assault report at a home in Canterbury Wednesday, Aug. 24 around 10 p.m. Police say the accused, 38-year-old Ryan Marzi of Hebron, allegedly prevented the victim from leaving the home and deliberately damaged their cell phone.
Police say Marzi was not listening to their verbal commands and began to advance toward them. Dash camera footage shows Trooper Desmond Stimson and Marzi then engaging in an altercation for about 35 seconds.
Warning: the videos may be disturbing to some viewers.
Rainville deploys her Taser and uses it for more than a minute after the dispute ended. During that time, Marzi asks her to stop and says he can't move after they directed him to roll over onto his stomach. The troopers then get Marzi in handcuffs and stop tasering him.
"The way you made me feel there. Electrocution's good," Marzi is heard saying to Rainville in her body camera footage.
"That didn’t feel good?" the trooper asks.
"No. Whoever you do that to besides me, God bless them," he responds.
He later asks how many volts the Taser is. The trooper says she isn't sure. An ambulance arrived and took Marzi to a Norwich hospital for evaluation. He was discharged and taken to Troop D headquarters in Danielson and charged with third-degree assault, interfering with a 911 call and an officer as well as disorderly conduct. Marzi was released on a $7,500 bond.
Four days later, on Aug. 28, family members reported to State police that Marzi had died in his sleep at his home in Hebron.
The medical examiner's office told FOX61 that the official cause of death is pending further examinations. State police say the Western District Major Crime Squad is investigating the circumstances of his death.
The two troopers have been with state police for about a year and a half. Rainville is still on duty as the investigation continues. Stimson is on medical leave after breaking his leg during the altercation with Marzi. He had to undergo surgery, police said. The Connecticut State Police Union told FOX61 they do not comment on open investigations but will once it's completed.
Both the State's Attorney and Inspector General were notified. In a statement to FOX61, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr. said, "At this time, the Office of the Inspector General is monitoring the Connecticut State Police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Marzi and is awaiting a determination of the manner and cause of death from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.”
According to guidelines by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, "The CEW should be deployed for the shortest time possible and troopers/police officers should make every reasonable effort to immediately move in to restrain the subject while under the effects of the CEW. Troopers/police officers shall then initiate examination by medical first responders as soon as it is safe to do so. Prompt transportation to an emergency medical facility shall be done as soon as practicable."
Marzi was a graduate of Bacon Academy in Colchester and had worked at a paving company for eight years, his obituary said.
"He had the biggest heart and you immediately felt his kindness when you met him, even if it was for the first time. He could always make you laugh no matter what, and if you were feeling down or sad, after spending a couple minutes with Ryan you wouldn’t be anymore. You could always count on him for anything as he was the best son, brother, and friend anyone could have ever asked for. He had always said he was looking forward to having a family of his own one day where he undoubtedly would have made an exceptional father," it read.
Tony Black is a multi-media journalist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tblack@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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