[Willie Green]

I don't have much sympathy for shoplifters,
But frying 'em like an egg on the hot asphalt of a WalMart parking lot DOES violate the Constitutional prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

It sounds like one helluva nasty way to meet your Maker IMHO.

[eastforker]

They weren't punishing him they were restraining him. Don't steal and you won't fry.

[Dog Gone]

The Constitution doesn't apply to the actions of private individuals, so any claim made will have to be made on the basis of tort law or some relevant state statute.

We'll have to wait for the autopsy results, but I'm guessing he didn't die of being cooked. That might have contributed, though.