Fatal Ending to Ariz. Exorcism Response

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Fatal ending to Ariz. exorcism response
By PAUL DAVENPORT, Associated Press Writer
Sun Jul 29, 6:46 PM ET

PHOENIX - Officers responding to a report of an exorcism on a young girl found her grandfather choking her and used stun guns to subdue the man, who later died, authorities said Sunday. The 3-year-old girl and her mother, who was also in the room during the struggle between 49-year-old Ronald Marquez and officers, were hospitalized, police said. Their condition was unavailable.

The relative who called police said an exorcism had also been attempted Thursday. "The purpose was to release demons from this very young child," said Sgt. Joel Tranter.

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The officers forced open the door enough for one to enter, leading to a struggle in which an officer used a stun gun on Marquez, Tranter said. After the initial stun had no visible effect, another officer squeezed into the room and stunned him. The girl was freed and passed through the door to the relative, Tranter said.

Marquez was placed in handcuffs after a struggle with officers and initially appeared normal, but then stopped breathing, Tranter said. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The cause of death was not immediately known, and autopsy results probably will not be available for several weeks, Tranter said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070729/ap_on_re_us/exorcism_death