Latest report on Taser use on Healthy Adults

This report concludes that Taser use on healthy, normal, adults does not pose a high risk of death or serious bodily injury. Nonetheless, Taser use on such people could still violate the Fourth Amendment (see post below for latest important Taser case).

Important Taser Case from Ninth Circuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to hear a Taser case. Thus, U.S. Court of Appeals decisions are the best we have on legal guidance on Taser use. This decision, from the often Left-leaning 9th Circuit, appears to significantly limit officer discretion to use the Taser.

Suspect Tasered 28 times and dies. Taser Trigger Amnesia?

The Constable stated he tasered the suspect 8 times. The weapons shows 28 times. If an officer Tasers a suspect 8 times and it doesn't stop or subdue the suspect, isn't it time to move to another tactic? These multiple tasering cases (more than 3 "rides") resulting in death are becoming a pattern. What is the problem here? Taser trigger amnesia brought on by stress? P.S. Sorry for the drought of posts. Went out of town for Spring Break and am now grading grad course essay exams. Thanks to all those who posted recently.

New Study on Tasers

Although Tasers are much criticized and many are advocating that police not be permitted to use Tasers, this study suggests that Taser use results in fewer injuries to both suspects and police.

The other side of the Taser Debate

The debate over police use of Tasers continues unabated, esp. in San Francisco. Unfortunately, we rarely hear about cases where the Taser works and may have saved a life. This is an example.

Moratorium on Taser Use? Police defend device

As the death toll of persons tased by police rises, Amnesty International and others have called for a moratorium. Police argue the devices are valuable tools. LINK

Former Officer Not Guilty in Trial for Taser Death of Suspect.

The trial in another racially polarizing Taser death ends with a not guilty verdict. The suspect was Tased 8 or 9 times. It took the jury only about 3 hours to reach the verdict. LINK

Use of Taser Cameras spreading

Given all the controversy and lawuits over Taser use, this trend looks like a good idea. LINK

Taser problems in Canada--officers face criminal trial

The U.S. is not the only country where officers are increasingly being charged with criminal offenses for alleged excessive force involving Tasers. LINK

Manslaughter trial of officer for killing suspect with Taser opens

This should be interesting. This case was mentioned in a post below.It is very rare for a police officer to be criminally prosecuted. LINK

No charges or discipline against officer who tasered man a total of 54 seconds.

The suspect died, but the officer has thus far escaped any sanctions. The city offered a $2 million settlement. The family is suing Taser and the officer/agency. According to the complaint against Taser filed by the family, the device is designed to administer a 5 second shock with each separate trigger pull. Holding down the trigger and not releasing it causes the shocking to continue. Obviously,the officer did not release the trigger for at least 44 seconds. It is also alleged that the victim was mentally handicapped, unarmed and did not strike or attack the officers. No discipline for tasing this suspect in this situation for 49 seconds with a 5 second tasing follow up? Perhaps additional or corrected facts will emerge in the future, but I have seen no denials of any of the alleged facts. This is getting a little hard to believe. LINK See the family's civil complaint against Taser at LINK

Australian Prisoner Tasered 12 times on one occasion

A prisoner in Australia was tasered 12 (or is it 13?) times on a single occasion. LINK Is Taser use against individuals getting out of hand some places? I wonder what the record is for being tasered on a single occasion. Anyone know? Please provide link if possible. Thanks.

NYPD to test new Taser after failed Tasing

Police shot and killed a suspect after he reportedly had been tased but removed one of the prongs and attacked police with a knife. NYPD is now looking at a more powerful and reliable TASER. See the links at the LINK

Bizarre Taser story

Officer completes arrest in spite of being Tasered by another officer. LINK

Taser suit settled for $9,000--Good or bad decision?

Should weak cases like this one be settled for less-than-litigation costs or fought? If the officer did no wrong, why should it be settled? Doesn't this practice encourage frivolous lawsuits? LINK Be sure to scroll down to update.

Riots Follow Mehserle Verdict in BART killing

Former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a Black teen. Mehserle claimed he thought he had drawn his Taser and fired it instead of his handgun. Mehserle was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the judge threw out that charge because of insufficient evidence of "premeditation." The jury passed on the more serious charge of second-degree murder. Demonstrations were reported in many cities, but rioting was reported thus far only in Oakland. Many think the verdict was a "compromise." Mehserle faces 2-4 years in prison for the offense, but the jury found an enhancement for a "gun crime" which increases the possible imprisonment from 5-14 years. LINK

New Study on less than lethal weapons, esp. Taser

The Weapons and Equipment Research Institute of Florida Gulf Coast University is the author of "Less Lethal Weapon Effectiveness, Use of Force, and Suspect and Officer Injuries: A Five-Year Analysis."(Report to NIJ, 2008). The report is generally positive about Tasers. LINK

Fort Worth offers $2 million to settle Taser death case

The City of Fort Worth, Texas has offered $2 million to settle a case brought by the family of a man who died after being Tased by a female Forth Worth police officer. The officer held back the trigger on the Taser for 49 seconds. She claimed she didn't know the device would continue to discharge electricity until she released the trigger. According to one source, the officer has not been disciplined. LINK. Link with news VIDEO

BART murder trial: Officer received training on the problem shortly before the killing

The officer (Johaness Mehserle, who is on trial for murder) in the BART killing of an unarmed arrestee, claimed he mistakenly drew his handgun rather than his Taser. However, he received training on this problem shortly before the shooting. LINK