Posted on 03/30/2005 6:27:13 AM PST by Born Conservative
William Henkle had more than 20 alcoholic drinks in his system when he attacked police with a chain saw outside his Forty Fort home last month, toxicology tests reveal.
Henkle, who was killed by a flurry of police bullets following the attack, had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.495 percent, according to test results recently received by the Luzerne County coroner's office.
The 40-year-old's blood-alcohol concentration was more than six times the amount (0.08) to be considered legally drunk in Pennsylvania.
No traces of illegal drugs were found in the two blood samples and one urine sample tested at National Medical Services, a toxicology laboratory in Willow Grove, Montgomery County.
Henkle's death was labeled "suicide by cop" by state police and justifiable homicide by the county district attorney's office.
Investigators say he baited police to his home at 378 River St. around 5 a.m. on Feb. 21 with a false 911 call of him having a heart attack. He then relentlessly pursued officers with the chain saw outside his residence for several minutes, police said.
Police fired nearly 40 bullets at Henkle, hitting him about 15 times, during the altercation.
Prior to police firing the deadly bullets, Henkle was first pepper sprayed in the face, but laughed and continued to charge at officers. After striking a state trooper with the chain saw, he was then shot three times, but regrouped and attacked again, police said.
Luzerne County Coroner Dr. George Hudock said it's possible - though he can't be sure - that Henkle was not phased by the pepper spray and got back on his feet after the initial gunshots because the amount of alcohol in his system.
"Alcohol is like an anesthetic. You get really drunk and you don't feel a thing," he said. "I've seen cases where people involved in major auto accidents, who have a broken leg, say they're fine because they're drunk."
The amount of alcohol running through Henkle's veins could "theoretically" have been enough to kill Henkle, Dr. Hudock said.
Some medical experts say a blood-alcohol concentration between 0.30 percent and 0.40 percent could render one unconscious and make them vomit, and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.40 and up could lead to a coma and possible death due to respiratory arrest, Dr. Hudock said.
However, each case and each person is different, he said. Though 0.495 on the blood alcohol concentration scale is high, Dr. Hudock said he's seen higher levels from people who remained conscious.
He remembers one person arrested for driving under the influence years ago in Luzerne County having a BAC of 0.80 percent.
Police said Henkle had a history of mental illness. It's still unknown if he was taking medication for the illness around the time he was killed.
Dr. Hudock said the he ordered toxicology tests for commonly abused drugs. There is another test for prescription drugs, but that was not ordered, he said.
Chain saw-wielding man shot to death by police ("suicide by cop")
State cops defend shooting (fired 39 shots at chain saw wielding man)
Deadly force debated by psychologist (suicide by cop incident)
I'm sure the cops hated using their service weapons but on the other hand, there's one less a**hole wandering around now.
I cannot imagine this high of BAC and still able to walk.
It's a miracle that the guy didn't die from alcohol poisoning.
They say someone was once arrested for a 0.80? These people must be drinking moonshine.
As a veteran heavy drinker and a probable alcholic, I can't even imagine a BA level of 0.495.
I don't notice that I've been drinking until I'm around 0.20. At around 0.25 I'm out on the couch. At .30 I'd be dead.
Bottoms up.
I know someone from college who was a belligerent drunk and after falling down a set of stairs and gashing his hand, he was brouht to the hospital. He kept screaming " just gimme a f*#$ing cigarette!".
He blew a .4
Never bring a chainsaw to a gun fight.
Drunken ping!
He jumped out of his pick-up truck and came charging at the officer with an ax. The officer shot him dead.
Conclusion........"Suicide by Cop." Strange choice, IMO.
I never operate the chainsaw with a BAC above .35! ; )
Smart move!
I can't even start mine when I'm sober.
At .495 I prefer to go for a drive! ; )
On twisty mountain roads! :)
At night with the lights off!! ; )
yeppers!
we'd = where'd
dang fingers....
I can shoot better than that running backwards in the dark.
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