California Cop Mistakes Gun for Taser and Kills Handcuffed Suspect

Recently, a viewer asked if I was not a bit too critical of tasers and asked if they were not better than having to resort to guns. The most obvious answer is that tasers are now used by some officers as a first response, though most officers use them appropriately. The choice is not between a taser and a gun. However, the case below shows this perils of such a choice and confusion with Madera officer Marcy Noriega.

In 2002, Noriega responded to a disturbance of the peace In Madera California. Twenty-four-year-old Everardo Torres was arrested, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a squad car. The police insisted that Torres was trying to kick the windows out so Noriega grabbed what she thought was her taser and shot him in the chest. It turned out to be her 40-caliber Glock instead and she killed Torres.

The family the city and the city sued the manufacture of the Taser M26 — saying that it was defectively designed due to its resemblance to a real gun. however, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. Moreover, Noriega was incredibly cleared of any charges by the department. Presumably, other objects like coffee cups, staplers, and pens have been clearly marked to avoid further carnage.

For the full story, click here

6 Responses to “California Cop Mistakes Gun for Taser and Kills Handcuffed Suspect”


  1. 1 Simon 1, November 23, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    yeah except that bitch actually killed dude on purpose cause dude was drunk and talking shit. that bitch is a cunt too. if any female cop isn’t.

  2. 2 Mac 1, July 10, 2010 at 9:07 am

    Yet a white cop accidently kills a black thug in Oakland who wasn’t handcuffed and gets convicted. Probably to please all the negros

  3. 3 anon nurse 1, July 10, 2010 at 9:21 am

    The American Prospect / By Adam Serwer

    Oscar Grant, a Victim of American Fear

    Why even decades after the civil-rights era, a cop shooting an unarmed black man is barely a crime.

    http://www.alternet.org/story/147489/oscar_grant%2C_a_victim_of_american_fear

    (So much hate (motivated by fear?) in this crzy world…)

  4. 4 anon nurse 1, July 10, 2010 at 9:24 am

    “Crzy” should be “crazy” :-)


  1. 1 Mehserle Claims Mistake in Bart Shooting of Oscar Grant « JONATHAN TURLEY Trackback on 1, January 31, 2009 at 7:27 am
  2. 2 Ninth Circuit Rules Family Can Sue California Officer Who Shot Handcuffed Son In Back of Cruiser | FavStocks Trackback on 1, August 27, 2011 at 6:25 am

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