Las Cruces cop charged with manslaughter in February death

JUNE 6, 2020 / 9:52 PM

By Christen McCurdy

June 6 (UPI) -- A police officer in Las Cruces, N.M. has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after using a choke hold that killed a man in February.

According to a statement from the Las Cruces Police Department, on Feb. 29 Las Cruces Police Officer Christopher Smelser "utilized a vascular neck restraint technique" which resulted in the death of auto mechanic Antonio Valenzuela.

Police said during a traffic stop Valenzuela, 40, fled on foot and police chased him, deployed a Taser twice and then restrained him.

Valenzuela died at the scene. The department has since prohibited use of vascular neck restraint during apprehensions.

More:
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/06/06/Las-Cruces-cop-charged-with-manslaughter-in-February-death/7221591494300/?sl=1&ur3=1