The Clark County (Nev.) Coroner's Office confirmed Tuesday that it has ruled the death of Dr. Ryan Rich, who died Jan. 4 after a Nevada Highway Patrol officer Tasered him on a Las Vegas freeway, a homicide.

Rich died from "seizure disorder;" his manner of death was homicide, said Sam-antha Charles, spokeswoman for the coroner.

"The coroner has called an inquest (into the death)," she said. "After listening to all the information surrounding the incident the jurors have to decide whether the officer's actions were excusable, justifiable, or of a criminal nature."

Rich, 33, was a Minico High School graduate finishing his residency at a Las Vegas hospital, and he planned to return to the Magic Valley to practice medicine. He had been injured in an auto crash prior to his death and had stopped taking medication to control seizures in preparation for a medical examination.

He was declared dead less than an hour after the officer shocked him.

At the coroner's inquest scheduled to last a full day on April 18, two district attorneys, a judge and an eight-person jury will hear the circumstances surrounding Rich's death. Representatives of the Police Protective Association may ask witnesses questions on behalf of law enforcement. Rich's family will also be allowed to ask witnesses questions at the public hearing.

Rich's family will find no trouble coming up with questions.

"Until this inquest happens everything is speculation," said Rich's father, Randy Rich. "I've got a lot of unanswered questions."

At the top of Rich's list is why there is no video from the patrol car - a fact that detectives relayed to him. Ever since his son's death, he figured a video of the incident would answer his questions.

"That was probably one of the most frustrating things (thinking) it's going to help my son when we sit down and watch a video of this," he said. "The detectives told me they didn't have video cameras. I don't know that there was no video. But that's what I am told."

Randy Rich has also heard conflicting reports of the so-called "rampage" down the freeway that unfolded before his son, according to a police report, entered the median, resisted the officer and ran into oncoming traffic - all before he was Tasered.

The police version depicts a hostile driver. But Randy Rich wonders if the officer didn't overreact.

"We think he had a seizure coming on, hit a couple of cars trying to get off the road, and came to rest in the median," Randy Rich said. "The toxicology report, when it comes out, I am very convinced is going to be negative. He is not going to have anything in his body that shouldn't be there. I am confident that that's what it will be."

An autopsy report, including a toxicology report, will become unsealed only after the jury reaches its verdict, Charles said.

In 2007, the Clark County coroner called 11 inquests - all for officers involved shootings. Two cases were ruled suicides; three were ruled excusable; and six were found to have been justifiable.

Cassidy Friedman can be reached at 735-3241 or cfriedman@magicvalley.com