News briefs from Southern California (Another Taser Death)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (AP) - Deputies said a man died after he was subdued twice with Taser electronic stun weapons because he was combative during his arrest and later in a jail cell.

Leroy Pierson, 55, of Apple Valley was taken unconscious to Kaiser Permamente Medical Center on Monday. He died Tuesday night, the San Bernardino County coroner's office said. Deputies were called to Apple Valley about 5 p.m. Monday after someone reported a man was waving a belt and behaving oddly as he walked along Bear Valley Road, investigators said.

<snip>

When deputies ordered the handcuffed Pierson out of the car at the jailhouse, he refused and again became combative so deputies used a Taser to subdue him and take him to a cell, investigators said.

Inside the cell, Pierson again resisted and a Taser weapon was again used and he fell unconscious. Beavers said it wasn't clear if Pierson was handcuffed the second time.

<snip>

2nd piece from the top: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/11687562.htm

[merh]

1. This is the scariest "use of force".

:scared: :cry:

[bennywhale]

2. What are the regulations for using a tasar. I mean basically what are

the "rules of engagement".

What the fuck can a handcuffed man do to a group of police officers. For God's sake, you are going to come across people who will become agitated and "combative" during arrest. Why do they have to risk a man's life by pumping 50 000 volts through him.

This is becoming an instrument of compliance. If you don't behave how they want you to behave, you are threatened with unimaginable pain and the possibility of death.

They should be tried for manslaughter.

[merh]

3. I've seen it where officers are confronted with people they have

no idea how to deal with, so they panic and use excessive force.
These tasers will be used to kill their victims without having to put on their leather gloves. :cry:

[rwedumed]

5. I saw this guy before he got arrested....

He was arguing with a bush at the side of the road, yelling at it and waving his arms.

Too sad.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. Weklcome to DU, rwedumed...

and you're right. It is pretty sad, expecially if he was in the cell alone when he was tasered the second time.

[bennywhale]

7. That sounds about right. Someone

outside the norm, a deviant, a freak, someone who doesn't conform to proper standards of behaviour. Fuck it electrocute him.

[Gregorian]

4. Is there a certain number of dead people that it takes?

It would seem that one death should have been enough to warrant removal from the market. I hate to say it, but my next thought was shocked and appauled. Sorry about that. Where is the common sense and accountability in this country.

[bennywhale]

8. Does anybody know how many tasar deaths there have been?

[Voltaire99]

9. Cops have an easy way of explaining away Taser killings

"...because (the suspect) was combative during his arrest and later in his jail cell."

That sort of claim was common in South Africa under apartheid. Lots of people "falling down stairs," etc.

The only way to verify these claims is through video, which should be mandated in every jail in America. And video isn't foolproof.

As police brutality shifts from fists and batons to electric shocks, it's time to put the brakes on voltage-happy cops.

[ngGale]

10. We seem to be becoming a Taser society...

wonder what is next?:scared:

[barbaraann]

11. Amnesty International on US/Canada Taser deaths.

(Washington, DC)—Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) released today a document announcing that TASER-related deaths in the United States and Canada have hit triple digits growing from 74 in November 2004 to 103. The new number covers June 2001 to March 2005. Additionally, AIUSA presented evidence proving that Taser International, Inc., has been misleading the public and law enforcement about the number of lives allegedly saved by TASERs. AIUSA admits that lives have undoubtedly been saved by TASERs and welcomes any news that there has been a decrease in fatal shootings by law enforcement, but a review of the cases on Taser's Website actually provided more evidence to support Amnesty International's conclusion that there is widespread abuse of TASERs that, in some cases, constitutes ill-treatment and torture.

http://www.saveourcivilliberties.org/en/2005/04/993.shtml