New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday released disturbing security videos showing a 29-year-old man acting erratically and taking off his clothes during a confrontation with police, before he doused himself in hand sanitizer and burst into flames when he was tasered by officers.
Jason Jones, from Catskill, died on December 15 at Clark Burn Center at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse after spending six weeks in a medically induced coma.
Just days later, AG James' office launched an investigation into Jones' death following his interaction with officers at the Catskill Police Department on October 30.
Jones' attorney has not disclosed why he had ended up in police custody that day.
The New York Attorney General's Office on Friday released graphic security video showing Jason Jones, 29, bursting into flames while in the custody of Catskill police
Jones, 29, died on December 15 after spending six weeks in a medically induced coma
The first video from inside the police station shows Jones looking unsteady on his feet as he paces around the lobby and gesticulates.
The tall, stout young man appears visibly agitated as he sways from side to side. He has some words with two officers, but it is unknown what is being said because the recording has no audio.
AG Letitia James has launched an investigation into Jones' death following his confrontation with the police
The 30-minute video culminates with Jones pulling off his button-down shirt and ripping apart a black t-shirt, exposing his naked torso. He also removes his shoes and sock as a trio of police officers look on.
A large plastic hand sanitizer container is seen standing on a folding table in the lobby within Jones' reach.
The second video begins with Jones grabbing the bottle of sanitizer and pouring the liquid all over his head and upper body.
One of the officer aims his Taser at Jones and fires electrodes, which make contact with the the antiseptic-soaked man, who is just off camera at that moment.
Seconds later, there is a flash of light, and Jones comes into view on fire.
He collapses to the floor, with flames engulfing his head, chest and upper back. The officers run out of the room, leaving Jones writhing in agony and
