NEW ORLEANS -- The family of an inmate who died Thursday in the custody of Jefferson Parish sheriff's deputies has requested that their own doctor be present at an autopy of the man's body, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

The inmate, Lawrence Berry, was arrested for a parole violation May 2. His family last spoke with him Wednesday.

Sheriff Harry Lee said Berry began screaming Thursday, hitting safety glass so hard that he shattered it and screaming that he was "on fire."

Lee said Berry was put in a restraint chair and hit with a Taser, neither of which had an effect. Lee said Berry then became unreponsive and was taken to West Jefferson Medical Center, where he died.

"If he swallowed some cocaine that was in a balloon or some other kind of thing, and then the balloon ruptured right before this happened, it could give him this reaction," Lee said. "But having said that, I don't know if that's what happened."

The autopsy may take place Tuesday.