This video is the latest case of a person seriously injured by multiple taser hits from police. Angela Jones, 50, went into cardiac arrest after three hits from police at a routine traffic stop. Jones had objected to the police officers demanding to go through her purse and then tried to get back in her car when she was shot with the taser.
The officer stopped to question Jones who was stopped along the side of the road. She denied drinking but the officers removed her from the car and questioned her for 15 minutes. That seems a reasonable response since they had to be sure that she was not a DUI case. It was then that they asked her to give them her purse. She refused and said “I just don’t feel like I want you to take my purse from me.” She ran back to her car and the officer then tasered her. One officer deployed his TASER® X-26 TM three times. Jones can be heard screaming in pain as the officer yelled at her not to move . . . while tasering her. She then stopped breathing.
One officer was able to revive her with CPR on the sidewalk.
There was no illegal drug or alcohol levels in Jones’ system. Nevertheless, police charged her with resisting arrest and possession of less than one ounce of pot. It is not clear what she was being arrested for at the time. We have previously seen cases where alleged abusive police conduct results in questionable charges against a victim — an incentive to settle the claims against the police and a rationalization of the alleged abuse. In this case, I am curious as to why a driver cannot refuse to hand over her bag. If they were arresting her, they can search the car and the purse at incident to the arrest or as part of the custodial exception at booking. They would not have to ask permission.
Then there is the controversial use of the tasers, including shooting people in the chest (which the manufacturer warns against). Police too often use tasers where they would previously physically restrain a person. The speed with which tasers are deployed in many cases has drawn widespread criticism. There is a growing view that tasers are becoming the instant response of many officers to any resistance or problem.
When Jones runs back into the car, I do think that there was legitimate concern by the officers that she might be grabbing a weapon. It is certainly an uncommon response even when arguing over a search. That makes this routine traffic stop less routine in the end. However, the need to use the taser — particularly three times — remains a question. My greatest concern is the criminal charge since I fail to see the basis for the arrest before the tasering.
What do you think?
Source: CBS
Darren Smith
1, November 21, 2012 at 1:11 pm
The use of the Taser was justified.
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the use of the taser was not justified.
She declined to allow her purse to be searced, at that point I would think the officers were obligated to either let her go or to give reason for the detention, that most certainly would have de-escalated the situation. She broke no law, the encounter was premissed on checking to see if she was safe…..they pushed, they were wrong, then they killed her. She did not endanger herself by not going along w/ what was clearly a breach ….that onus belongs to those policemen. Period.
There may be good reason for the police to maintain a certain sense of paranoia….but I doubt very much that this woman fit the criteria for their most horrible nightmares….
“She broke no law, the encounter was premised on checking to see if she was safe…..”
Darren,
I agree with Woosty on this for the reason above. I’ve had times when I’ve had things on my mind, or felt upset emotionally, when I’ve pulled to the side of the road to get a grip. They were checking to see if it was a problem and then THEY escalated the situation. The woman was “guilty” of their cynicism and suspicion. The request to look in her purse after fifteen minutes of futile questioning, which means they’re looking for something wrong and not finding it, was and infringement on her rights. She had every right to walk off because at that point they did not have the authority to holder her. In watching the video she was walking, not running and if they really thought she was a danger one could have gotten in front of her and blocked the door.
Perhaps she was a serial killer, a mass murderer and/or a felonious criminal, the surmises of police are not always to be trusted and these days some real harm is being done. I am certain you were wonderful in your profession because you are a reasoned man, filled with empathy. A small percentage of officers, however, get bored at time and amuse themselves with over-zealousness, sometimes to the point of grievous harm.
As for Mr. Smith who called police “pigs” that is an expression i’ve never used towards them because most police join the department to do good in this world..
Well stated, Mr. Turley and OS.
Darren/OS,
That the error here was the woman going toward her car is without doubt and I agree with Darren the first sounded like a misfire, but the third shot is what I have a real problem with. Once contact is made, unless the person is on something like PCP, they’re going to stop. With the disruption to their nervous system, at that point it’s just basic physiology.
Pigs, eh? Why don’t you use your anger, P(iggy) Smith, on one of your Grade A Prime LEO of choice? Would you be reluctant to do so in close proximity of them or are you more comfortable as a gutless long distant and remote person of insult? Thought so.
In this case I think we can all agree that the police seemed to go way over the line, especially if she passed the road screen for DUI. It should have been “OK, move along”. She didn’t have to react so crazily either. It should have been “No, if you don’t like it bring me in”. Then at least these guys would have occupied their time on meaningless busy work. If more people did that they maybe they would get tired of the meaningless harassment and the waste of effort on nothing. She sure didn’t deserve a tase but if you try to flee the interview … look at the terrible ending that can happen.
Most importantly, what would The Dude do? Yes, The Dude Abides.
Thank you Professor Turley. My daughter just this minute left for work at the Sheriff’s Department, and every time she leaves I hold my breath until she comes home at the end of her shift. She and I both thank you.
“tink.” versus “Chock!!!”
No comparison. I’m of the cusp age of aluminium bats. Never have liked them. The one I’ve got is a foundling and it’s for home defense if the shotgun shells run out. Never have hit a ball with it. I do carry a stun gun in the car though. Works great if someone tries to get in with you. I has some street person try that in Dallas. I did the polite thing though and dragged him out of the roadway before driving on. The problem with tasers is they are a ranged weapon and much more susceptible to misuse offensively than a stun gun, but the misconception they can’t be lethal is just that; a misconception. The training and deployment of them in LE is woefully inadequate and poorly thought out.
Gene, I have a wooden Louisville Slugger in my car. It’s the Ozzie Smith model, small and easy to swing in close quarters. I have carried a wooden bat in my car for decades. I’ve had to brandish it a few times and use it once. I’m of the age before aluminum bats. I hate the sound when it hits a ball, wood is much more beautiful an octave. If you’re a baseball fan the Louisville Slugger factory tour is a great one. I could so it several times. It’s a small factory and a REAL TOUR, you are on the floor w/ the craftsman/women. The beautiful smell of wood permeates. They have little water mists that spray once in awhile to keep the humidity perfect. They have a lot of competition from Japan now.
Aluminium ball bats have one good use, nick.
Home defense.
Mr. Smith,
I deleted your comment because of the reference to police officers as “pigs.” I rarely delete comments on this blog and indeed I have difficulty keeping track of the many comments. However, such insulting references violate our civility policy. More importantly, while this blog routinely runs police abuse stories, we have always maintained that the vast majority of officers are professional public servants. They deserve our support and our thanks. These men and women have exceptionally difficult and dangerous jobs. Too many have given their lives in the line of duty. You are welcomed to continue to comment on this blog, but I would ask if you would refrain from such insults in the future.
Best regards,
Jonathan Turley
The use of the Taser was justified. A person who runs to get into the car as she did is either going for a weapon or fleeing. That is the training and the experience I had and seen and that is what can happen.
If she is fleeing, it is likely she is going to speed off and a high speed chase could ensue resulting possibly in a crash and injury or death.
If she is going for a weapon, the same could result.
The first officer deploys the Taser and it is not effective, as heard by the clicking sound. That clicking sound is made when the darts are not fully seated in the body. The second officer then deploys his and it is on target.
It should also be noted that had the officers tried to restrain her to prevent her from driving off it would have been difficult and she could have put the car in gear and drove off, dragging the officers to their injury.
I am more inclined to believe she did not want the MJ to be found in her purse so she tried to flee to prevent her eventual arrest.
The taser company reminds me of the pharmaceuticals, there is no published evidence of harm . . . because we didn’t publish the massive amount of our evidence that shows it is harmful.
“If you’re a cop, deadly force is the last thing you want to use. However, if you’re a really twisted cop, a weapon that leaves a suspect flopping about like an epileptic puppy is dead-bang perfect.” Found this quote at the Onion. Pretty much sums it up.
Between 2001 and Sept. 14, 2012 when this statistic was posted, there were 532 Taser related Deaths in the United States. This source uses data from Amnesty International, plus their own tracking data.
Souce: http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/2009/05/taser-related-deaths-in-united-states.html
Three things about these continued cases baffle me: (1) In spite of multiple deaths, cops themselves seem ignorant of the risks (2) Even if the use guidelines say they were entitled to use the taser in a given situation? Seriously, there needs to be a national guideline that says “Use the taser ONCE!” It is always multiple strikes that produce the greatest risk of death.
(3) I wonder why all these folks don’t get together and launch a class action suit against the maker of these devices.
MikeS knows much more than I. However, it never made sense to me that these tasers were said to be benign vis a’ vis the heart. There are more than a few instances of kids being hit w/ a line drive, usually pitchers, and going into cardiac arrest. These are not kids w/ preexisting conditions. If the heart muscle takes a sudden hard blow timed to the beat of the heart, the heart will loose the electrical impulse and go into fib. It seems its mostly kids Litttle League and younger, although I can’t believe anyone is immune. Maybe it’s just that kids don’t have the experience and refelexes to cath a hard liner right @ them. For this reason, all Little Leagues are required to use a low impact baseball. It’s softer and not as tightly strung. It reportedly helps significantly although I don’t know any stats. I believe they should also get rid of aluminum bats which propel the ball much faster. Louisville Slugger endorses my thought on bats.
“I believe they should also get rid of aluminum bats which propel the ball much faster. Louisville Slugger endorses my thought on bats.”
Nick,
When I started to play softball again this summer, all they had were metal bats. I never liked them. The sound is not satisfying and the feel in your hand doesn’t suit me. I prefer a lighter bat, with a thick handle. I’m a line drive hitter, rather than power/pull and I find it is easier to place the ball with a light, thick-handled bat. The bats I had to use this summer were too thin and balanced with the weight up top. Good for slugging perhaps, but not good for place hitting. I had to choke up on the handle which hampers my normal swing. I think it was Hank Aaron who started the thin handled trend in bats, but what is good for Hank, isn’t necessarily good for everyone else.
lottakatz
1, November 21, 2012 at 11:14 am
Was the weed in her purse before or after the LEO’s killed her?
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yup
also, she panicked because she has a healthy fight or flight response to being terrorized by 3 bulky, uber-armed, uniformed men who were obviously out of touch with legal boundaries and her rights…..she, who from the video is a slight, white, middle aged woman who had the audacity to say “no thanks” when they offered to search her bag for her….
Even if all events occurred as stated by the officers, what is the explanation for tasing the woman THREE times?
Does the taser in question have a hair trigger? Did the officer believe it had misfired the first two times? Were the woman’s involuntary convulsions perceived as proof that she was insufficiently subdued (as indicated by the officer’s repeated commands to “STOP moving!” after he tazed her)?
The apparent lack of training required before a LEO wields such a dangerous and potentially deadly weapon is appalling.
There is “telling why she panicked”? She panicked because every American knows that being stopped by the police can end very badly whether you have done anything or not. Fear of the police is both rational and a good defensive posture.
lottokatz – good point
I take back the “no doubt” part of my comment. There’s really no telling why she panicked. It could well be she was just terrified of what they might do to her and acted irrationally. She shouldn’t have to come close to death for that. Thugs
Just another contempt of cop case, when you get right down to it. She had the temerity to refuse any and all commands by them; regardless of the legality of them.
She no doubt panicked because of the weed in her purse. And became another casualty of the drug war, and the arrogant, dangerous law enforcement it has produced.
Resisting arrest with no underlying charge to warrant a lawful arrest.
The charge is simply a negotiating tactic when the civil suit inevitably comes.
Unfounded criminal charges are laid against someone to lesson liability.