Tweet
I haven’t done a Taser post in a while, and it looks like the inappropriate use of the so-called non-lethal take-down tools of law enforcement, referred to as an “electronic control device” by its manufacturer Taser International, continues unabated.
NY: City, Cops Sued for 81st Precinct Taser Incident. How about getting zapped (and Maced) for objecting to being cited for double parking?
26-year-old Jonathan Zimmerman is suing the city and two cops who he says used a Taser on him for double parking outside of a friend’s Brooklyn home. Zimmerman was issued a summons and told to move his car, but when he began to argue, while still in his seat belt, the cops pulled the keys from the ignition and Maced him. Zimmerman was Tasered while inside the car, pulled out and Tasered twice more.
PA: Federal lawsuit filed against state police over Taser incident. A man died when the Pennsylvania State Police, alleged investigating a domestic abuse call, asked 24-year-old Levi Mohney to exit his mobile home. When he didn’t respond, they broke in and unleashed the shock device on Mohney, who was soaked in gasoline and went ablaze, suffering burnes over 98% of his body.
His father, Shawn Mohney, of New Bethlehem, is suing for violations of civil rights, wrongful death, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Geckle said Mr. Mohney was suffering from a mental disability. “In my humble opinion, there was no need to Taser the man,” said Mr. Geckle. “He wasn’t armed. He wasn’t posing a direct threat to the officers.”
NH: Stun Gun Used In Road-Rage Incident. And no, this isn’t about cops doing the deed. It’s a driver-on-driver event where one woman assaulted another woman (who was pregnant). Why? Because the pregnant woman was traveling 35 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Police said that once the cars stopped at a red light, [Carissa] Williams threw cans and bottles at the other car and screamed at the driver. When Williams drove off, the other driver called 911.The two vehicles were then on the Interstate 93 exit 14 ramps, and while they were stopped there, the other driver was able to give the license plate number to the 911 dispatcher. But Williams then got out of her car, leaving her 6-month-old in the vehicle, police said.
She then got into the back seat of the other woman’s car, pulled out a stun gun and used it on the woman, police said.
The victim was 10 weeks pregnant and is fortunately ok. Williams is being held on $100K cash bail.
More below the fold.NM: Police identify man in Monday’s fatal Tasing. Jerry Perea was in Albuquerque police custody after an incident with the police (they said he attacked them with a crucifix, and they Tased him). And then…
Police say Perea appeared to be OK immediately after he was Tased but as paramedics were tending to one of the injured officers, Perea entered cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. He was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital.
NC: Fayetteville man dies after he’s Tasered in jail. Law enforcement in NC have turned up multiple times in the Taser files for quick-drawing and asking questions later. In this case, it’s not a given that the device was used inappropriately, but the fact that fatalities using this “non-lethal” devices continue to occur in incidents where law enforcement could have subdued someone without introducing the Taser into the encounter..
Harnett County Sheriff Larry Rollins confirmed to ABC11 Wednesday that a man is dead following an incident with a Taser at the Harnett County Detention Center in Lillington Tuesday.Rollins said 24-year-old Brandon Jolvon Bethea of Fayetteville had been in court Tuesday and got into an altercation with detention officers when he was returned to jail. Officers used a Taser – which emits a powerful electric charge – to control Bethea. They said immediately afterwards they noticed he was non-responsive and they began CPR until EMS paramedics arrived. Bethea was taken to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn where he was pronounced dead at 2:14 p.m.
Related:
* The Blend Taser files
* Taser International to police: don’t fire at suspect’s chest, may cause ‘adverse cardiac event’
* 10-year-old girl tased by Arkansas cop – and mother gave the OK
* School guards to be armed with 50K-volt Tasers for the tots
* AL: cops Tase and pepper spray deaf and mentally disabled man who was in bathroom too long
13 Comments
TV/movie “tasering” incidents don’t help either.I think part of why so many people don’t see a problem with electroshock weapons is that they’re used to thinking of them how they show up in movies — safe, clean, and quiet, almost like an electrical “Vulcan neck pinch”. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a movie or (fictional) TV show in which the victim screams the way people do IRL — that alone would probably lead to a significant shift of opinion.
The second and third stories are just bizzare……and leave me with more questions. Why did the guy soak himself in gasoline? You’d think that the cops would smell that and at least hesitate.
The road rage story I would not even call a full on road rage story. The woamn in question was clearly disturbed. She was already wanted in 4 states so she obviously had issues.
I do wonder why the pregnant woman didn’t lock her doors?
“I do wonder why the pregnant woman didn’t lock her doors?”She could have been trying to raise her window(s). She could have been trying to lock her doors. Have you ever fumbled for the proper button(s) and direction of operation under totally non-stressed conditions? How about when you suddenly realize you’re under attack and you’re occupied on your cell phone with 911? She probably had about 5 seconds from the time the criminal exited her car until she was in her face.
All the more reason…To keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up as a matter of course. Since they were just exitting the Interstate, this strategy would also have made the car more aerodynamic and thus fuel efficient.
Well, the windows up would. Not so much the doors locked.
Tasers should be banned!When you get right down to it, they’re supposed to put a person down with one use. But time and again what you see is someone who’s repeatedly tased and it leads to death. The cops always say “I was excited” which it total bullshit. When its happening with the suspect in handcuffs it makes me wonder even more why police are not being held accountable for their actions.
And the entire ‘thought process’ about tasers is that they are like Star Trek Phasers (the company actually tried use ‘Phaser’ but were blocked) set on stun and way too many feel that they can do NO harm like Hollywood ray guns.
There is no upside to this situation. A solid class action lawsuit against the maker of Tasers needs to happen.
And the victims in movies and TV showsalways “deserve” it. Movie cops are never mistaken or intentionally cruel.
Tasers should _NOT_ be banned.I own (and carry) a Taser X26C. I also carry pepper spray. Despite being perfectly legal to carry here (fortunately), I choose not to carry a firearm.
I have been mugged a couple times. Had I been in possession of less-lethal weaponry, it likely would have been a much better scenario for both myself and the attacker. The police (as usual) simply took down a report – when the seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
I was lucky – they were unarmed. Had either of them had a pipe/2×4/baseball bat, I would have been in a world of hurt. Had I been carrying a handgun, they would likely have ended up dead.
I have tested my Taser on myself – it hurts. A lot. If I hit someone with it, they may die from head trauma or a host of other potential problems. It would be worse if I shot them, and if I’m firing, I have a very good reason to do so.
That being said, there are many police departments who have used Tasers as an alternative to being a cop, rather than as an alternative to shooting a hole in someone. Nobody should use a Taser unless in a situation where someone’s life is in danger, and killing is justified.
Every time you fire a Taser, someone might die. Sometimes that’s perfectly acceptable, even if it is non-optimal.
Er….Try again. FAR more often than not Tazers are misused by the police. They’re debilitrating devices that cause serious harm, and have caused too many deaths to just be dismissed as a few acceptable casualties of a “needed” device. Tranq darts are far safer and far more humane. Tazers are NOT.
GRRRRRGoddamned Tazinga Google Hijavk. The link in my above comment was SUPPOSED to lead to http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/… not that damned Tazinga crap. Goddess I’d give my left lung to finally kill that crap.
Pardon me for driving the speed limitI habitually set my cruise control exactly at the speed limit, and stay to the right. However, I’d guess that 90% of drivers speed habitually. Many of them personally take offense that I would dare go the speed limit. The other day on the highway some fool was tailgating me for miles–in the rightmost lane–when there was plenty of open space to the left in which to pass me. What is it with some people?
But if we’re on a single-lane road where there’s no passing, like the road in NH where the road rage started, I have no obligation to speed and break the law just because you want to, so deal with it.
The sensible course of actionI usually to move with the flow if traffic…even if it is above the speed limit.
What really annoys drives, like myself, is when the traffic is moving along at a nice clip, only to have one person get into the lane and then slow everything down.
It should be obvious to any driver the suddenly the traffic that was immediately fron of them has left them behind and that there is a dramatic build up of traffic behind them. That is a sure sign that you are not moving with the flow of traffic. When all the cars behind you are desperately looking for ways to go around you, you’re going too slow.
ButDrivers like that are willfully unaware of traffic flow and their place in it. They are simply driving a car, other cars are of no importance. That’s why you get two cars side-by-side going the same pace for miles upon miles creating a 20 long backup behind them.
Up here in the NorthEast we have signs on our highways, Keep Right Except to Pass. And out states don’t pave the passing lane as often, so driving in the passing lane is usually much more bumpy than the travel lane.
In VermontH.3 from this legislative session is titled:
AN ACT RELATING TO PROHIBITING USE OF TASERS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED TRAINING FOR INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
has been sitting in cmte since Jan 6. We have had a rash of certain officers giving known cranks no quarter, and going electric without reason. Taser’s training seems to be ‘Zap first, let the towns worry about lawsuits later.’