Although a private autopsy on the body of a man who died in police custody shows 17 cuts and bruises to his face and arms, it is inconclusive about the cause of death, a lawyer for the man's family said today.

Howard Messer said the autopsy of Andre Thomas' body -- performed by privately retained pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht -- failed to show what killed the man on Aug. 5 in Swissvale. They are still awaiting toxicology test results that would show whether Mr. Thomas was using drugs or alcohol that night.

An autopsy by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner also was inconclusive pending toxicology results.

Mr. Messer, however, focused on Mr. Thomas' bruises as an indication that excessive force was used to subdue him. Mr. Thomas was stopped by Swissvale police investigating a disturbance. He eventually was shocked with a Taser and handcuffed. He became unresponsive at the scene.

"To indicate that there was no violence that night is inaccurate," Mr. Messer said. "The family and I believe there is another side of the story to be told."