Search Results for 'taser'

Police Set Man On Fire With Taser — Again

Police in Perth are investigating a case where officers accidentally set a 44-year-old man on fire after shooting him with a taser. The man has previously doused himself and his house with fuel and was threatening to light himself on fire. This is the second such case for the city’s police, here, in less than a year.
Continue reading ‘Police Set Man On Fire With Taser — Again’

Long Arm of the Law: Video Captures Police Beating Tasered Suspect

This video of Winnipeg police officers repeatedly beating Cody Bousquet during an arrest on February 27, 2009. Bousquet reportedly had been tasered by the officers. One of the officers Const. Ryan Law was previously arrested for aggravated assault for kicking a suspect in the stomach in an interrogation room. He is the nephew of the Chief of Police.

Continue reading ‘Long Arm of the Law: Video Captures Police Beating Tasered Suspect’

Not-So-Happy Meal: Colorado Man Tells Children To Bite Officers at McDonald’s

Joshua Alger, 28, in Colorado Springs, Colorado is a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Not only did an intoxicated Alger allegedly pass out in a McDonald’s play area, but he encouraged his two children to bite the arresting officers.
Continue reading ‘Not-So-Happy Meal: Colorado Man Tells Children To Bite Officers at McDonald’s’

Get Horizontal: Pittsburgh Police Beat and Arrest Teenager Only To Find That Mysterious Object Was Bottle of Mountain Dew

Pittsburgh authorities are investigating a case where an 18-year-old student, Jordan Miles, was struck repeatedly by undercover officers who saw a large object in his clothing. It turned out to be a Mountain Dew (“Get Vertical”).
Continue reading ‘Get Horizontal: Pittsburgh Police Beat and Arrest Teenager Only To Find That Mysterious Object Was Bottle of Mountain Dew’

Taser Tots: Kankakee Police Officer Tasers Children in Demonstration

A police officer in Kankakee has a curious method of applied learning for children. While visiting the Kankakee Junior High School, he called for volunteers and tasered students in a demonstration. One of the parents rushed her son to the hospital because he has a pre-existing heart murmur.
Continue reading ‘Taser Tots: Kankakee Police Officer Tasers Children in Demonstration’

“Tase The Baby”: Florida Man Allegedly Uses Baby As Human Shield

We have another contestant for Worst Person in the World. Jorge Garcia, 39, in Florida was confronted by police for acting strangely and told to get out of his car. When he refused an officer pulled out his stun gun. That is when Garcia allegedly used an infant as a human shield. He reportedly told the officer “Tase the Baby.’

Continue reading ‘“Tase The Baby”: Florida Man Allegedly Uses Baby As Human Shield’

Ninth Circuit Rules Officer Can Be Sued For Taser Injury

The Ninth Circuit has handed down a major ruling that allows an officer to be sued for injuries sustained from the use of a taser. The unanimous panel ruled that Carl Bryan could sue over his injuries resulting from the use of a taser in 2005 by former Coronado, Calif., police officer, Brian McPherson.
Continue reading ‘Ninth Circuit Rules Officer Can Be Sued For Taser Injury’

Drunken Florida Man Arrested After Calling Police for Ride to Bar

Gregory J. Oras, 37, may want to find a designated driver . . . other than the 911 operator. After calling the police for a ride, he ended up tasered and arrested.
Continue reading ‘Drunken Florida Man Arrested After Calling Police for Ride to Bar’

Police Enter Backyards of Citizens Without Permission or Notice in Exercise and Shoot Man’s Dog When It Attacks

In Chilliwack, B.C., the Mounties are facing heavy criticism after they decided to use the backyards of citizens for an exercise without either notice or permission. Fendi, a six-year-old pit bull, was not happy when armed men and tracking dogs appeared around his yard. When he attacked one of the police dogs, the Mounties shot him — leaving his owner Brian Hackner with a great deal of questions and one dead dog.

Continue reading ‘Police Enter Backyards of Citizens Without Permission or Notice in Exercise and Shoot Man’s Dog When It Attacks’

Florida Man Attempts to Swallow Baggie of Pot and Chokes to Death After Police Taser Him

A Florida man died after he tried to swallow a baggie with marijuana and was then hit with a taser by police for what they believe was resisting arrest. Andrew Grande, 23, it seen on the video below struggling to breathe as officers try to help him and determine whether he is having an overdose.

Continue reading ‘Florida Man Attempts to Swallow Baggie of Pot and Chokes to Death After Police Taser Him’

Starbucks Psychosis: Washington Man Claims Caffeine Induced Hysterin

Daniel Noble, 31, has a novel defense after he was caught by Washington State University Police after speeding down a country road and hitting two people while wearing only pajamas and flip flops (in 5 degree weather) — he was over-caffeinated.
Continue reading ‘Starbucks Psychosis: Washington Man Claims Caffeine Induced Hysterin’

Wirth-Less: Man Accused of Double Murder Tasered in Courtroom Brawl

I suppose the large tattoo on the neck of Andrew J. Wirth, 24, reading “NOTHING TO LOSE” might have given the court deputies a clue that they were in for trouble at the appearance of the Wisconsin man in court. Wirth is accused of first shooting a couple to death outside a bar after a woman playfully grabbed him. He then tore up a courtroom while yelling at the judge.

Continue reading ‘Wirth-Less: Man Accused of Double Murder Tasered in Courtroom Brawl’

The Boss’s Burger: Florida Man Arrested For Burger Battery

Port St. Lucie, Florida has another AWDS case (assault with a deadly sandwich). Previously, we saw how Matthew Rubin was arrested for throwing a sandwich at his girlfriend, here. Yet, cold-cut sandwiches are widely known by police to be gateway food to hotter items like pizzas and burritos. Now, Daniel Boss, 25, has been arrested for rubbing a hamburger in the face of his wife. The incident appropriately occurred at one of Daniel’s favorite restaurants, Dick’s.
Continue reading ‘The Boss’s Burger: Florida Man Arrested For Burger Battery’

Sticks and Stones May . . . Result in a Tasering: Colorado Police Taser Unruly 10-Year-Old Boy Because Using Pepper Spray Would Have Endangered Officer

We recently saw how a taser was used on a ten-year-old girl who refused to take a bath in Arkansas, here. Now, police in Pueblo, Colorado have tasered a 10-year-old boy who threw a stick at an officer and was holding a pipe. Captain Jeff Teschner defended his deputies by saying that the use of pepper spray would have put the officers in danger with an unruly ten-year-old boy.

Continue reading ‘Sticks and Stones May . . . Result in a Tasering: Colorado Police Taser Unruly 10-Year-Old Boy Because Using Pepper Spray Would Have Endangered Officer’

Texas Police Shoot Dog and Then Taser Dog’s Deaf Elderly Owner For Failing to Obey Commands

Police in Bruceville-Eddy, Texas shot and killed a dog that they insist was threatening them and then tasered its elderly owner for failing to obey their commands. The man turns out to be deaf and there is still no word on the investigation that began in March in the incident.
Continue reading ‘Texas Police Shoot Dog and Then Taser Dog’s Deaf Elderly Owner For Failing to Obey Commands’

Fawning Innocence: Police Taser Deer

Perhaps it was inevitable with the rapid increase in the use of tasers, but police are now tasering animals. Toronto police tasered a deer that was found near a commercial building after it was tranquilized by a veterinarian.
Continue reading ‘Fawning Innocence: Police Taser Deer’

Pennsylvania Man Dies After Hit By Multiple Tasers

There is another fatality connected to the use of tasers. Ronald Petruney, 49, of Washington, Pa. died after he was hit by three tasers by police trying to restrain him.
Continue reading ‘Pennsylvania Man Dies After Hit By Multiple Tasers’

Shock Lobster: Company Invents Lobster Stunning Machine

With the increased use of tasers on humans, it was perhaps inevitable that the crustacean set would demand their own stunning device. Simon Buckhaven of CrustaStun has developed a system that allows lobsters to be zapped to death in a device rather than boiled alive. It was such a breakthrough that animal rights groups organized a lobster dinner fundraiser with lobsters dispatched with the CrustaStun device. The problem is that the machines were lost in transit and the sponsors had to boil hundreds of lobsters alive at the event with such participating groups as PETA.

Continue reading ‘Shock Lobster: Company Invents Lobster Stunning Machine’

Shock Video: Officers Stop Bicyclists on Video and . . . Hug them

Bathe or Tase: Police Officer Tasers 10-Year-Old Girl Who Refused to Take Shower

Arkansas police officer Dustin Bradshaw, used a Taser on a 10-year-old girl at the mother’s request after the little girl refused to take a shower and refused to obey him.
Continue reading ‘Bathe or Tase: Police Officer Tasers 10-Year-Old Girl Who Refused to Take Shower’

Warning Shot: Las Vegas Officer Accidentally Fired Gun At Cuffed Suspect

This video should be in every police academy training program. The female officer shown in the video from Las Vegas stands with gun drawn while a suspect is cuffed and then accidently discharges her weapon — barely missing both the suspect and the other officer.
Continue reading ‘Warning Shot: Las Vegas Officer Accidentally Fired Gun At Cuffed Suspect’

Bain of His Existence: Man Dies in Mother’s Home After Being Tasered Twice by Police

773885555.JPGWe have another death associated with a taser. Darryl Bain, 43, was tasered twice and died in the Long Island home of his mother in Coram, New York.
Continue reading ‘Bain of His Existence: Man Dies in Mother’s Home After Being Tasered Twice by Police’

Ohio Police Taser Man After He Runs Into Burning Home to Save Sister and Friends

taser gun bart officer-218-85MIke Bartlett of Kent, Ohio probably thought that the worst thing that happened to him on Sunday was finding his house on fire at 4:30 am. He was wrong. After Bartlett ran in and out of the house to save people, he was tasered by officers standing outside and arrested.
Continue reading ‘Ohio Police Taser Man After He Runs Into Burning Home to Save Sister and Friends’

Shock Video: Minneapolis Officer Tasers Man in Neck While His Hands Are on Hood of the Car

In a highly disturbing video, Minneapolis police officers are shown tasering a man who is clearly shown with his hands on the hood of a car and not resisting arrest. Rolando Ruiz is seen and heard screaming in pain from the taser, which is applied to the back of his neck and held to his body as he falls to the street.

Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Minneapolis Officer Tasers Man in Neck While His Hands Are on Hood of the Car’

Alaskan Police Taser 81-Year-Old Minister in Traffic Stop

250px-354th_Fighter_WingMilitary police at the Eielson Air Force Base are facing questions of the need to taser Glen M. Wilcox, an 81-year-old Episcopalian priest. Wilcox was caught allegedly going 11 miles over the speed limit.

Continue reading ‘Alaskan Police Taser 81-Year-Old Minister in Traffic Stop’

San Jose Police Taser Man and Break His Arm After He Tries to Clean His Hands

taser gun bart officer-218-85San_Jose_Police_Department_StarScott Wright paid a heavy price for clean hands. Wright was working on his old Cadillac in a parking lot when San Jose police approached. When Wright reaches for a rag to wipe off the oil on his hands, the police tasered him and then beat him with their batons — breaking his arm. They proceeded to charge him with resisting arrest — a charge that we often see in such cases where officers seek to justify such encounters.

Continue reading ‘San Jose Police Taser Man and Break His Arm After He Tries to Clean His Hands’

Shock Video: Utah Officer Tasers Man for Traffic Ticket in Front of Pregnant Wife

On this video, a Utah officer appears to taser a him for a traffic ticket simply because he does not immediately obey the officer’s demands. Watch how the officer immediately pulls out his taser when the man is simply refusing to sign the ticket.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Utah Officer Tasers Man for Traffic Ticket in Front of Pregnant Wife’

Video: Man Mocks Police, Police Taser Man, Man Escapes Police

This is a bizarre video. The police officers are trying to arrest a man who is mocking them and not cooperating. The officers decide to taser him rather than simply force his hands into cuffs. The man screams “I am being illegally tasered, I am defending myself” and proceeds to escape.

Continue reading ‘Video: Man Mocks Police, Police Taser Man, Man Escapes Police’

Video: Police Beat and Taser Foreign Student In San Jose

This video is the focus of an investigation into the beating of a San Jose State student Phoung Ho by officers. Police reportedly had difficulty communicating with Ho and the encounter with the math major ended in beating Ho with batons and using a taser on him.
Continue reading ‘Video: Police Beat and Taser Foreign Student In San Jose’

The Last Samurai: Man Attacks Police With Swastika-Covered Samurai Sword and Survives

george+rogersWhile (like today) we often chronicle cases of police abuse or controversies, we do have on occasion the opportunity to recognize extraordinary police work and commendable restraint. Such is the case with the apprehension of George Rogers, 36, who attacked Philadelphia police with a samurai sword covered with swastikas and a skull. Police did not simply shoot him and call it justifiable force. He was instead subdued and is now charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
Continue reading ‘The Last Samurai: Man Attacks Police With Swastika-Covered Samurai Sword and Survives’

Video: Special Needs Student Beaten By Officer Due to Failure to Tuck in His Shirt

This video is unbelievable as an officer working outside of Chicago as security in a high school beats a special needs student who left his shirt untucked in violation of the school dress code.
Continue reading ‘Video: Special Needs Student Beaten By Officer Due to Failure to Tuck in His Shirt’

85-Year-Old Man Pulls Gun on Officer in Police Station And Does NOT Get Tasered or Shot

Man+With+Gun.JPGWe often chronicle the abuses of judges, lawyers, and police officers on this blog. Occasionally, however, we can celebrate acts of restraint (here) as in the case of the police in Huntley Illinois. Peter J. Reilly, 85, walked into a police station and pulled a gun on the police sergeant. The sergeant did not shoot Reilly or taser him. He ordered him to drop the weapon and then walked around and grabbed the gun, which turned out to be a BB gun.

Continue reading ‘85-Year-Old Man Pulls Gun on Officer in Police Station And Does NOT Get Tasered or Shot’

Seattle Officer Fired Over Videotaped Beating of Teenage Girl in Cell

090227_deputy_videoKing County deputy Paul Schene, 31, has been fired over his beating a 15-year-old girl on Nov. 29 incident in a holding cell at SeaTac City Hall. The video below shows a shocking escalation of violence by Schene.
Continue reading ‘Seattle Officer Fired Over Videotaped Beating of Teenage Girl in Cell’

Naked Gun: Police Called After Citizens See Naked Men Running Around Intersections . . . Only To Find The Police Were Already on the Scene

118px-Qps_badgeWhen citizens were alarmed at the sight of naked men running around intersections at 4 pm, they immediately called the police. They then learned that there were already officers on the scene — running around the police van naked.
Continue reading ‘Naked Gun: Police Called After Citizens See Naked Men Running Around Intersections . . . Only To Find The Police Were Already on the Scene’

California Police Repeatedly Taser and Partially Strip Double Amputee in Public — But Bring No Charges After Six Days Incarceration

taser gun bart officer-218-85Police in Merced, California are looking into a case of a double amputee who claims that he was tasered twice by police in his wheelchair, partially stripped in public, and then held for days without charge. Gregory Williams, 40, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and resisting arrest but never charged. Neighbors complained that the police were abusive and humiliating in their treatment of Williams.
Continue reading ‘California Police Repeatedly Taser and Partially Strip Double Amputee in Public — But Bring No Charges After Six Days Incarceration’

Sheriff Under Investigation After Allegedly Giving Taser to Man Who Appears on Video to Shock Son as Joke

This video is the subject of an investigation into Hallwood Chief of Police Wilson Glenn, who is accused of giving his taser to a father who then appears to tase his son as a joke.
Continue reading ‘Sheriff Under Investigation After Allegedly Giving Taser to Man Who Appears on Video to Shock Son as Joke’

Wichita Police Officer Orders Grandmother to Stop CPR on Drowned Boy Despite Alleged Signs of Recovery — The Boy Dies

thumb_1251431117671_0p49217897512498054Pam Jordan says that she was hopeful when she began CPR on her three-year-old grandson Isaiah Jones after he drowned in the family’s pool. He was allegedly regaining color and coughing. That stopped, she claims, when a Wichita police officer arrived and inexplicably ordered her to stop and move away from the child. However, he did not continue the CPR and the boy died.
Continue reading ‘Wichita Police Officer Orders Grandmother to Stop CPR on Drowned Boy Despite Alleged Signs of Recovery — The Boy Dies’

Shooting Payne: Fire Chief Argues with Police Officers About Speed Traps — Police Officer Shoots Fire Chief

180px-PictureCarThere was a bizarre scene in Ericho, Arkansas where Fire Chief Don Payne went to court for a second time in one day to complain about the police use of abusive speed traps in the small town. An argument erupted in front of Judge Tonya Alexander and Payne was shot from behind by one of the officers. It appears that there is widespread complaints against the local police who are accused of doing little else but ticketing citizens for driving a couple miles over the speed limit to sustain their small department.
Continue reading ‘Shooting Payne: Fire Chief Argues with Police Officers About Speed Traps — Police Officer Shoots Fire Chief’

Shock Video: Officers Beat DUI Suspect in Cell — and Later Cleared in Internal Investigation

An Illinois sheriff this week is seeking to reverse a board decision reinstating three officers in Tazewell county, Illinois despite this shocking video tape. On the video, Sergeant Richard Johnston, and correctional officers Jeffery Bieber and Justin Piro are shown beating Becky Behm after she was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol October 17, 2008.

Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Officers Beat DUI Suspect in Cell — and Later Cleared in Internal Investigation’

The Thin White Line: Memphis Officer Arrested in Major Cocaine Bust

Lowell-Duke-1_t220While Memphis officials trying to keep tasers out of the hands of their officers (here), they are also trying to do the same with narcotics. A major bust this week led to the arrest of officer Lowell Duke, 37, who is accused of participating in a large drug operation.

Continue reading ‘The Thin White Line: Memphis Officer Arrested in Major Cocaine Bust’

Memphis Turns Down Tasers For Its Officers

MPDbadgetaser gun bart officer-218-85In a rare departure from the trend in the expanding use of tasers by law enforcement, the city council of Memphis has refused a request by the Memphis Police Department to add tasers to its arsenal.
Continue reading ‘Memphis Turns Down Tasers For Its Officers’

Cincinnati Police Officer Suspended After Tasering Woman on Her Knees With Her Hands in the Air

20540935_480X200Cincinnati Police Officer Anthony Plummer is accused of tasering the wrong person in the wrong way. First, he allegedly tasered a woman who was on her knees with her hands in the air. Second, it turned out to be Celeste Thomas, 26, daughter of City Councilman Cecil Thomas, a former police officer who heads the council’s law and safety committee.
Continue reading ‘Cincinnati Police Officer Suspended After Tasering Woman on Her Knees With Her Hands in the Air’

Oregon Police Do NOT Taser Naked Man

raymond+robersonRaymond Lawrence Roberson, 70, first threatened to blow up his van, threatened anyone who came near him, paraded around with a rifle, and then shutdown a highway after barricading himself in his van. When he emerged, he stripped naked and was tackled by police. The most amazing and redeeming aspect of this story is what the police did not do: they did not shoot him or use a taser. They simply subdued the man with the least possible force.
Continue reading ‘Oregon Police Do NOT Taser Naked Man’

Police Taser Sets Homeless Man on Fire

bildeWe have another case of a man bursting into flames after being tasered. Recently, an Australian man burst into flames after being tasered. In Lancaster, Ohio a homeless man named Daniel Wood, 31, caught fire after being tasered due to chemicals from an aerosol can he was inhaling.
Continue reading ‘Police Taser Sets Homeless Man on Fire’

Shock Video: BYU Professor Tasered in Court

We have been following questionable uses of tasers by police. This video from 2004 raises some disturbing questions where a former BYU professor Tom Lowery is tasered in court during a rambling argument. It is clear that the use of the force, in my view, was unnecessary and improper — particularly in a court of law.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: BYU Professor Tasered in Court’

Hit, Haul, and Run: Texas Man Accused of Hitting Bicyclist, Pulling Him into Car, and Driving Home

0817rojasMUGVincent Paul Riojas is not your typical accused hit-and-run felon. Where all hit and run felons flee the scene, Riojas stopped and took the body of his victim with him to his home.

Continue reading ‘Hit, Haul, and Run: Texas Man Accused of Hitting Bicyclist, Pulling Him into Car, and Driving Home’

Boise Man Sues Police After Being Tasered in Buttocks and Threatened With Sodomy

taser gun bart officer-218-85A man in Boise, Idaho is suing after the Boise Police Department declared that an officer who tasered him on the buttocks and threatened him with sodomy with a taser did not violate the law. While against policy, the police insist that the officer (who also threatened to shock his genitalia) merely failed to follow guidelines — the name of the officer has not been released despite the release of the audio tape below. The officer actually states on the tape that he had already sodomized the man with the taser when he threatened to deliver a second shock first to his anus and then to his genitalia.

Continue reading ‘Boise Man Sues Police After Being Tasered in Buttocks and Threatened With Sodomy’

Shock Video: New York Officer Tasers Mother in Front of Children After Minor Traffic Stop

Audra Harmon, 38, has sued the Onondaga County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Department in yet another abusive use of a taser without provocation. In this video, the officer yanks Harmon out of the car in order to taser her. What is fascinating is that the officer, Deputy Sean Andrews, could have cuffed her but repeatedly positions her to be tasered.

Continue reading ‘Shock Video: New York Officer Tasers Mother in Front of Children After Minor Traffic Stop’

Police Taser Man Sitting on His Front Porch

This video has raised objections over why police appear to walk up to a man sitting on his porch and taser him without any violent act on his part. There appears to be more to this story, however, given the large number of officers who are present. Does anyone know the back story? You can hear an officer yelling “Taser, Taser, Taser” — reminiscent of another such video.
Continue reading ‘Police Taser Man Sitting on His Front Porch’

Shock Video: Man Tasered at Baseball Game in Oakland

We have another taser incident at a sporting event. It is unclear why the man was approached. Some reports suggest that he was in the wrong seat and was not obeying the commands of the officers.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Man Tasered at Baseball Game in Oakland’

Baptism Under Fire: Virginia Police Taser Grandfather and Mother At Baptism Party

taser gun bart officer-218-85150px-Child_baptism_with_waterPrince William County police are accused of abuse in the tasering of a grandfather and a mother at a baptismal party in Manassas. The party was being held at the home of Edgar A. Rodriguez, 55, when police responded to a call about loud music. The police say that Rodriguez was drunk and failed to turn down the music after repeated demands by the police. The police ended up tasering Rodriguez and then, when his daughter Leticia Elias, 25, ran to him, police tasered her as well. She is the pregnant mother of the baptized baby.
Continue reading ‘Baptism Under Fire: Virginia Police Taser Grandfather and Mother At Baptism Party’

Video: Officer Tasers 72-Year-Old Great-Grandmother After a Dare

The Travis County Constable’s Office has released the dashcam video of the tasering of 72-year-old Kathryn Winkfein by Deputy Chris Bieze. We previously discussed this story but the video is highly disturbing in the decision to shoot the 4′11” great grandmother. Before he fires the weapon, Winkfein responds to Bieze’s threat to taser with an “I dare you.” He didn’t need a double dare.
Continue reading ‘Video: Officer Tasers 72-Year-Old Great-Grandmother After a Dare’

Shocking Love: Police Taser and Pepper Spray Deaf, Mentally Disabled Man for Not Complying With Orders

taser gun bart officer-218-85300px-Dollar_General_logoWhen Antonio Love failed to heed orders to come out of a bathroom at a Dollar General store, Mobile police used pepper spray and a Taser on him — ultimately arresting him for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and failure to obey a police officer. The problem is that Love, 37, is deaf and mentally disabled.
Continue reading ‘Shocking Love: Police Taser and Pepper Spray Deaf, Mentally Disabled Man for Not Complying With Orders’

Triple Your Pleasure: Taser To Introduce New Weapon That Allows Officers To Taser Three People Without Reloading

7-27-09taserx3Despite continuing controversies associated with the expanding use of tasers, Taser International has concluded that the problem is that officers cannot taser enough people before facing the hassle of reloading. Before an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of law enforcement officers, the company unveiled its new triple action taser X3-20.
Continue reading ‘Triple Your Pleasure: Taser To Introduce New Weapon That Allows Officers To Taser Three People Without Reloading’

Police Officer Shoots Unarmed Man Wearing Only a Speedo

6kasota0722Tyler Heilman, 24, was shot and killed outside of his home in Kastoa, Minnesota by Deputy Sheriff Todd Waldron. The shooting is particularly controversial because Heilman was unarmed and wearing only a speedo swimsuit.
Continue reading ‘Police Officer Shoots Unarmed Man Wearing Only a Speedo’

Suspect Bursts Into Flames After Being Tasered by Police

taser gun bart officer-218-85A 36-year-old Australian man burst into flames after being tasered by an officer with the West Australian Police. The man had doused himself with gasoline and was carrying a lighter when the police arrived in Warburton. The police were responding to a report that people were sniffing glue at the location.

Continue reading ‘Suspect Bursts Into Flames After Being Tasered by Police’

Spare the Taser, Spoil the Child: Police Chief Tasers 14-Year-old Girl in Head After She Ran From Her Mother — And Demands Charges Against the Girl

taser gun bart officer-218-85Tucumcari Police Chief Roger Hatcher in New Mexico shoot a 14-year-old girl in the head with a Taser dart after she ran from her mother and police. Hatcher insists that it was the right thing to do since (I kid you not) he was afraid she might be injured if she ran into traffic. It falls into the rule that it is sometimes necessary to shoot a child to save a child.
Continue reading ‘Spare the Taser, Spoil the Child: Police Chief Tasers 14-Year-old Girl in Head After She Ran From Her Mother — And Demands Charges Against the Girl’

Georgia Police Waffle on Charging Officers: Officers Involved in Tasering Waiter for Fun Resign From Force

image_8601941Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Gary Miles was fired and Sgts. Chris Parry and Joey Parkerson have not been charged with tasering a Waffle House waiter for fun, but instead will be allowed to resign from their position as police officers.
Continue reading ‘Georgia Police Waffle on Charging Officers: Officers Involved in Tasering Waiter for Fun Resign From Force’

Florida Man Arrested For Tasering His Mother — While Awaiting Charges for Threatening Her With A Sword

matthew+beiderMatthew Beider, 23, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, is not exactly the ideal son. Only last month, he was arrested after threatening his mother with a three-foot sword. Now, he has been re-arrested after tasering his mother and then stomping on her as she lay on the floor after being shocked.
Continue reading ‘Florida Man Arrested For Tasering His Mother — While Awaiting Charges for Threatening Her With A Sword’

Australian Man Dies After Being Tasered 20 Times By Police

taser gun bart officer-218-85Antonio Galeano died last week after Queensland police hit him 20 times with a 50,000-volt Taser. Galeano was an amphetamines addict who was tasered for five second pulse each time.
Continue reading ‘Australian Man Dies After Being Tasered 20 Times By Police’

Taser! Taser! Taser! Video Shows Police Beating and Tasering Suspect on Ground

This video has a disturbing scene as multiple officer in Nottingham, England beat and taser a man who is lying on the ground.
Continue reading ‘Taser! Taser! Taser! Video Shows Police Beating and Tasering Suspect on Ground’

Two Former West Palm Beach Officers Indicted After Beating Handcuffed Suspect

Two former West Palm Beach police officers have been arrested in the beating a handcuffed robbery suspect, Pablo Valenzuela, 43, as captured on this dash cam video from May 2008. Louis Joseph Schwartz, 30, and Kurt John Graham, 24, were fired last August and are now facing felony conspiracy to commit official misconduct and misdemeanor battery.

Continue reading ‘Two Former West Palm Beach Officers Indicted After Beating Handcuffed Suspect’

Defense Shocked: Court Rules Police Can Use Taser to Collect DNA Sample

180px-Taser-x26In New York, Niagara County Court Judge Sara Sheldon Sperrazza has issued a controversial ruling that police can taser a suspect who refuses to voluntarily submit a DNA sample. In this case, Ryan S. Smith sought to suppress DNA evidence that linked him to two crimes because of the use of the force against him. When told of a court order to obtain a second sample for DNA testing, Smith reportedly stated “You are gonna have to Taser me if you want my DNA.” That apparently sounded like a pretty good idea to the officers in the room.
Continue reading ‘Defense Shocked: Court Rules Police Can Use Taser to Collect DNA Sample’

Can You Hear Me Now? Police Officer Tasers High School Student In Dispute Over Use of Cellphone

180px-m26_taserA police officer assigned to a Penn Hills, Pennsylvania high school tasered a student who allegeldy refused to end his conversation on a cell phone and then pushed away the officer’s arm.
Continue reading ‘Can You Hear Me Now? Police Officer Tasers High School Student In Dispute Over Use of Cellphone’

Texas Police Officer Tasers 72-Year-Old Grandmother Who Refused to Sign a Speeding Ticket

RichardMcCainConstable Richard McCain insists that a grandmother deserved to be tasered in a recent roadside incident to protect himself from a violent attack. The suspect was Kathryn Winkfein, a 72-year-old grandmother, who had refused to sign a traffic ticket. Deputy Chris Bieze tasered Winkfein after she allegedly became belligerent.
Continue reading ‘Texas Police Officer Tasers 72-Year-Old Grandmother Who Refused to Sign a Speeding Ticket’

Police Tase and Kill 16-Year-Old Boy After He Runs From Traffic Stop

art.mugThere is another controversy over police tasers leading to a death. Robert Mitchell, 16, died after being hit with a 50,000 volt taser shock after he ran from a traffic stop and allegedly resisted arrest. Mitchell had a learning disability and according to his family was merely scared.

Continue reading ‘Police Tase and Kill 16-Year-Old Boy After He Runs From Traffic Stop’

Chicago Police Officer Involved in Hit and Run Given Four Hours Before Taking Breathalyzer

250px-Chicagopd_jpg_w300h294Chicago Police Officer Richard Bolling was charged in a hit and run that killed a 13-year-old Trenton Booker who was riding his bicycle. In such cases, standard procedures calls for a breathalyzer as soon as possible. However, Bolling’s colleagues gave him four hours and, when they administered the test, he registered 0.079 — miraculously just under the 0.08 limit.

Continue reading ‘Chicago Police Officer Involved in Hit and Run Given Four Hours Before Taking Breathalyzer’

Federal Jury: Police Officers Did Not Use Excessive Force After Tasering Man 19 Times Leading To His Death

180px-m26_taserA federal jury in Tennessee ruled that three officers — Jason Creagan, Jonathan Mays and Jaime Scruggs — did not use excessive force in the death of Patrick Lee, 21, at a nightclub in 2005. Lee was tasered 19 times after he was seen acting strangely outside of a nightclub (ironically named the the Mercy Lounge) and allegedly resisted arrest.

Continue reading ‘Federal Jury: Police Officers Did Not Use Excessive Force After Tasering Man 19 Times Leading To His Death’

Taze Our Daughters and Sons At Work Day: Police Officer Fired After Shocking Children with 50,000 Volt Taser

180px-m26_taserIn Carrabelle, Florida, Sgt. Walter Schmidt at the Franklin Correction Institution had a novel idea for entertaining kids on a “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” tour. He shocked kids with 50,000 volts from his taser.
Continue reading ‘Taze Our Daughters and Sons At Work Day: Police Officer Fired After Shocking Children with 50,000 Volt Taser’

Video: Police Officer Shown on Drunken Video Joking About Murder and Tasering Suspect — Later Assigned to His Own Investigation

default5Erie Police Chief Steve Franklin has a remarkably distorted view of good police work. After Erie Police officer James Cousins II, 40, in Pennsylvania was shown on a video joking about a murder and tasering someone in an unrelated case, Franklin said it was entirely appropriate to assign Cousins to participate in his own investigation and to find the person who posted his drunken boasting on the Internet.
Continue reading ‘Video: Police Officer Shown on Drunken Video Joking About Murder and Tasering Suspect — Later Assigned to His Own Investigation’

Can You Hear Me Now? Texas Police Officer Breaks Nose of Deaf Man Who Did Not Follow Orders

0408stop_0019-t240A Fort Worth, Texas police officer broke the nose of a deaf man when he failed to heed warnings at a routine traffic stop. As shown in the video below, Christopher Ferrell, 43, was reaching for his card explaining that he was deaf when Officer J.A. Miller slammed him into his car.

Continue reading ‘Can You Hear Me Now? Texas Police Officer Breaks Nose of Deaf Man Who Did Not Follow Orders’

Oly Ivy: Texas Sheriff Arrested After Allegedly Tasering His Wife

oly_ivy_200Oly Yahnson Ivy, 30, the chief of police of Oakwood, Texas, has been arrested for aggravated assault in the use of his Taser on this wife. He was fired after only two months on the job.

Continue reading ‘Oly Ivy: Texas Sheriff Arrested After Allegedly Tasering His Wife’

Stoned Crabbe: Actor Found Harry Potter Series Arrested for Pot Farm

snn0805b-280_776376a1Vincent Crabbe already had a poor reputation as a member of Sytherian House at Hogwarts and a thuggish sidetick to Draco Malfoy (with his equally vile friend Gregory Goyle). Now, he is heading to a muggle jail under his real name Jamie Waylett, 19, for allegedly maintaining a pot farm in his bedroom.
Continue reading ‘Stoned Crabbe: Actor Found Harry Potter Series Arrested for Pot Farm’

Eleventh Circuit Rules that Video of Officer Repeatedly Tasering a Sobbing Man Sitting By the Road is Not a Constitutional Violation

defaultA man is appealing a recent loss before the United States Court of Appeals in a very disturbing decision. In the video below, Deputy Jonathan Rackard of the Washington County Florida repeated uses of a taser on Jesse Buckley who is merely sitting and crying next to a road. The Eleventh Circuit voted 2-1 that the Eighth Amendment was not violated in the case, reversing a decision from the trial court.
Continue reading ‘Eleventh Circuit Rules that Video of Officer Repeatedly Tasering a Sobbing Man Sitting By the Road is Not a Constitutional Violation’

Police Tell Teenager to Lay On the Road or Be Tasered, The Boy Complies and Is Promptly Run Over By Car

85px-coat_of_arms_of_australiasvgIn Ipswich, Australia, a 16-year-old boy who was told by police to lay down in the street or be tasered by police. The boy complied and was then run over and killed by a car. It is a compelling case of negligence, even if the boy was acting “aggressive.”

Continue reading ‘Police Tell Teenager to Lay On the Road or Be Tasered, The Boy Complies and Is Promptly Run Over By Car’

Mehserle Claims Mistake in Bart Shooting of Oscar Grant

johannes20mehserleAs expected, ex-transit officer Johannes Mehserle, 27, is claiming that he shot Oscar Grant by mistake in the infamous video from the BART station in Oakland, California. He insists that he thought that his gun was his taser when he shot Grant in the back.
Continue reading ‘Mehserle Claims Mistake in Bart Shooting of Oscar Grant’

New Video Shows A Second Officer Punching Suspect Before Oscar Grant Shot by Johannes Mehserle

secondbartcopA new video has emerged in the case of Oscar Grant III, who was fatally shot by former transit police officer Johannes Mehserle in a BART station. The new videotape below shows a second officer, reportedly Tony Pirone, striking one of the detained men (possibly Oscar Grant) on January 1st.

Continue reading ‘New Video Shows A Second Officer Punching Suspect Before Oscar Grant Shot by Johannes Mehserle’

IRS Sued Over Firing Sikh Wearing Kirpan

300px-kirpan_smallKawaljeet Kaur Tagore has sued the Internal Revenue Service in a free exercise case involving the wearing of the kirpan, the ceremonial knife of Sikhism. Devote Sikhs wear five articles of faith: Kesh (uncut hair), which is kept covered by a distinctive turban, the Kirpan (religious sword), Kara (metal bracelet), Kanga (comb) and Kaccha (under-shorts). The IRS, however, drew the line on the kirpan and fired Tagore, 35, for refusing to take off her knife when coming to work as a revenue agent.

Continue reading ‘IRS Sued Over Firing Sikh Wearing Kirpan’

You Are What You Wear: Missouri Police Arrest Man for Wearing Police Tee Shirt in Bar

193586052Adam C. Weinstein, a firefighter, may want to go with a a simple NYFD tee shirt next time. Weinstein was outside a bar in 2006 when he felt hot, so he took off his sweater. Underneath was a tee shirt with “POLICE” on the back. A Belleville, Missouri Police officer Jeff Vernatti arrested Weinstein for impersonating a police officer. Weinstein is now suing.
Continue reading ‘You Are What You Wear: Missouri Police Arrest Man for Wearing Police Tee Shirt in Bar’

Facing the Music: Man Tasered Twice After Failing to Turn Down Music on Christmas Morning

story-11A Syracuse man was tasered twice after he failed to turn down his music Christmas morning. Michael Prince, 23, was told at 2 am to turn down the music and was being given a ticket when police say that he tried to run away.

Continue reading ‘Facing the Music: Man Tasered Twice After Failing to Turn Down Music on Christmas Morning’

Video: Officer Tasers Himself After Car Chase

2A Dallas police officer has achieved a certain fame after the video below captures him tasering himself after a chase with a suspected car thief.
Continue reading ‘Video: Officer Tasers Himself After Car Chase’

Man Goes Into Diabetic Shock . . . Police Taser Him

9480686_bg1The taser abuse stories continue to roll in. In the most recent case out of El Reno, Oklahoma, police stopped a driver who appeared uncooperative in getting out of the truck. They tasered him only to learn later that he was in diabetic shock.

Continue reading ‘Man Goes Into Diabetic Shock . . . Police Taser Him’

Video: Police Taser Son Who Tries to Rescue His Father After Police and Fire Department Refuses to Go Into Water

150px-cornwall_waveThe video below reveals another troubling use of a taser. 54-year-old Maurizio Biasini went to a Mendocino Beach called Portuguese Beach with his two twin sons, Dario and Andriano Biasini, and fell into the water. The police and fire department refused to go into the choppy water as the father was swept further and further out to sea. When the sons screamed at the officers for not acting and one tried to go into the water, the police tasered one son twice. The father was lost.

Continue reading ‘Video: Police Taser Son Who Tries to Rescue His Father After Police and Fire Department Refuses to Go Into Water’

Lawyer Tasered at Tampa Hearing

180px-m26_taserCarl Roland Hayes, 53, appeared at a city Code enforcement hearing in Tampa, Florida and was tasered twice after becoming upset and allegedly unruly. The controversy turned on the fact that Hayes installed aluminum windows rather than wooden windows in a historic home.
Continue reading ‘Lawyer Tasered at Tampa Hearing’

Police Taser 54-Year-Old Woman Sitting in Wrong Seat at Football Game

150px-buckybadgerThose Badgers fans can be stubborn. Margaret Hiebing went to a Madison football game to watch the Badgers and found another person sitting in her seat so she sat in someone else seat. She would end up tasered and in a wheelchair.

Continue reading ‘Police Taser 54-Year-Old Woman Sitting in Wrong Seat at Football Game’

West Virginia Police Officer Fired After Using Taser on Pregnant Teenager

180px-m26_taserSgt. Steve Smith has been fired by East Bank, West Virginia after the city council learned that he had used a taser on a pregnant teenager and a firefighter. Smith was still on probation as a new officer after joining the Kanawha County department less than a year earlier.

Continue reading ‘West Virginia Police Officer Fired After Using Taser on Pregnant Teenager’

Step Away From the Corpse: Police Taser Pallbearer at Funeral

bilde-2The New Hanover County Sheriff’s office had a neat idea of how to arrest Gladwyn Taft Russ III, 42, for threatening his wife. When his father died, they waited until he was putting the casket in the hearse on the way to the cemetery and swooped in to grab him. When they ended up kneeing him in the back and tasering him in front of the shocked mourners, who said that the officers pointed guns and tasers at them. The family canceled the trip to the cemetery.
Continue reading ‘Step Away From the Corpse: Police Taser Pallbearer at Funeral’

Florida Police Officer Fired for Tasering Teen for Fun at Party

Eustis, Florida Officer Dan Nesmith was the life of the party when he tasered a 15-year-old boy for fun as the crowd cheered. He then reportedly returned to drinking with the kids, including possible underaged drinkers. He is now a party animal and an ex-cop.
Continue reading ‘Florida Police Officer Fired for Tasering Teen for Fun at Party’

Step Away From the Shoes, Ma’am: Police Officer Tasers Woman for Trying to Put on Her Shoes

In our expanding list of “things you can do to get tasered by police,” we have another outstanding entry to add to getting out of a bath naked and calling for help. Catherine Isebelle Morris, 34, was tasered by Gaston County Police Officer G.S. Kendall because she insisted on getting her shoes in the house when questioned outside about a domestic disturbance. She is lucky. Under this operational standard, Imelda Marcos would have been lit up like the Chrysler building.

Continue reading ‘Step Away From the Shoes, Ma’am: Police Officer Tasers Woman for Trying to Put on Her Shoes’

Accused Police Officer in New York Taser Death Commits Suicide at Police Station

The tragic case of Iman Morales just got more tragic. Morales was found dancing naked on the top of a ledge. Police shot him with a taser, resulting in his fall and death. It was an obviously poor decision in violation of department guidelines. Now, the officer in charge who gave that order, Lt. Michael Pigott, has committed suicide in the police locker room after being stripped of his badge and gun.

Continue reading ‘Accused Police Officer in New York Taser Death Commits Suicide at Police Station’

Problem Solved? New York Police Taser Naked Man on Ledge Who Then Dies in Fall

Many police departments spent countless minutes trying to get people off building ledges or perches. New York police, however, have a more efficient approach: they shot him with a taser and collect him after he falls. In the case of Inman Morales, 35, it resulted in his death.

Continue reading ‘Problem Solved? New York Police Taser Naked Man on Ledge Who Then Dies in Fall’

Do Not Assume the Position: Florida Police Taser Naked Man Walking a Dog

Tallahassee police tasered a naked 40-year-old man walking his dog. The man did not respond immediately to their commands and was considered a potential danger to officers. It appears that naked men are universally viewed as imminent dangers by officers given another such case out of Wichita.
Continue reading ‘Do Not Assume the Position: Florida Police Taser Naked Man Walking a Dog’

A Bit Too Real: Woman Tries to Kidnap Ex-Virtual Boyfriend

In Claymont, Delaware, police are dealing with a virtual relationship turned violently real. Police have issued a warrant for Kimberly Jernigan, 33, of North Carolina who tried to kidnap her former virtual boyfriend — a 52-year-old from Delaware.

Continue reading ‘A Bit Too Real: Woman Tries to Kidnap Ex-Virtual Boyfriend’

Miami Man Pounds on Doors Screaming for Help When Police Arrive and Taser Him to Death

Miami-Dade police officers are being accused of excessive force in the death of Kenneth Oliver, 45, who was repeatedly hit with taser shocks. Witnesses called police to report a drunken Oliver knocking on doors and asking for help. The police arrived and, reportedly over the objections of onlookers, shoot him four times with tasers — killing him. The case is similar to another recent case, below.

Continue reading ‘Miami Man Pounds on Doors Screaming for Help When Police Arrive and Taser Him to Death’

Louisiana Officer Charged with Manslaughter Over Taser Killing

Officer Scott Nugent of Winnfield, Louisiana has been charged with manslaughter by a grand jury in the death of Baron “Scooter” Pikes, 21. Pikes was tasered nine times while handcuffed in a case that has raised racial questions in the state.
Continue reading ‘Louisiana Officer Charged with Manslaughter Over Taser Killing’

Slow but Convenient Service: Sword-Wielding Man Waits to Be Shot In Convenience Store

Thomas Neal, 20, of French Camp, California, stormed into a convenience sword wielding a sword. He reportedly wanted to be shot, but police had a few taser malfunctions.

Continue reading ‘Slow but Convenient Service: Sword-Wielding Man Waits to Be Shot In Convenience Store’

Shock Video: South Carolina Deputy Charged After Beating Teen

A South Carolina deputy has been fired and charged after a dash camera recorded him punching teenager Jeremy Laquan Rucker, 18, in the face. What is curious is that there is no word on action taken against the other officers who assisted former deputy Brian Tollison.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: South Carolina Deputy Charged After Beating Teen’

Man Knocks On Doors Screaming Someone Was Trying to Shoot Him: Police Arrive and Shoot Him

It appears that Andre Thomas was right. The Swissvale, Pennsylvania man knocked on doors of an apartment complex yelling that someone was trying to shoot him. The police arrived and, when he allegedly failed to comply with their orders, shot the unarmed man with a taser and then, according to witnesses, beat him. He died at a hospital later and an autopsy is planned.

Continue reading ‘Man Knocks On Doors Screaming Someone Was Trying to Shoot Him: Police Arrive and Shoot Him’

Shock Video: Toledo Minister Beaten and Tasered After Alleged Joke to Security Guards

Rev. Al Poisson may be looking for some new material. The minister claims that he merely made a passing joke to a security guard when he was dragged out of a hospital, beaten, and tasered. Regardless of the catalyst, the video below has raised some serious questions on the level of force being used on this 66-year-old minister.
Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Toledo Minister Beaten and Tasered After Alleged Joke to Security Guards’

Using Tasers Over Mace: Police Taser Teenage Boy With Broken Back Up to 19 Times

In Ozark, Missouri, a family is wondering why their 16-year-old son Mace Hutchinson was hit by tasers up to 19 times after he fell (or jumped) from an overpass and broke his back.

Continue reading ‘Using Tasers Over Mace: Police Taser Teenage Boy With Broken Back Up to 19 Times’

Next Page »


Bookmark and Share

Turley Tweets

Click here to follow the blog on Twitter.

VOTED THE #1 LEGAL THEORY AND LAW PROFESSOR BLOG OF THE TOP 100 LEGAL BLOGS BY THE ABA JOURNAL IN 2008

blawg100_2008_winner9349c7

Categories

Archives