Man dies in California

October 13, 2007
By NORBERTO SANTANA, Jr.OC Register

Michael Patrick Lass, 28, unarmed

... a confrontation ensued, a taser was deployed and then he was taken to the nursing station for examination. At some point, he stopped breathing.

A spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department called it an unfortunate incident. "We'll have to wait for a lot of investigations to take place before we can figure out exactly what caused the guy to do what he did."

The death was the county's second associated with a Taser gun in a little more than a month.

Edmonton complainant denies exaggerating taser claims

A 95-pound man with cerebral palsy says he kept track of the number of times he was tasered (27) because 'I was going to tell the world,' tribunal hears.

Saskatchewan to allow all police to use tasers

October 9, 2007
CBC News

Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quennell said police are often required to subdue or arrest belligerent or violent suspects and in such cases, a non-lethal weapon is preferable to a gun.

Too bad the taser isn't non-lethal.

Tasers safe? New study sparks more debate

October 8, 2007
ABC News

Dr. Corey Slovis, professor and chairman of emergency medicine at Vanderbilt University, says other recent research suggests that the weapons may be dangerous for some.

"I think that Tasers in normal subjects are safe," he says, "but I am concerned that emerging evidence may show that they may change the underlying heart rhythm of individuals who do not have a normal conduction system -- such as those using cocaine, those who are dehydrated, agitated, hypoxic or those taking anti-psychotics."

While Slovis says he once concurred with the conclusions presented in the current research regarding Taser safety, he now harbors some concerns, many of which stem from recent research on pigs.

In the research Slovis cites, the heart activity of the pigs was studied as they were being zapped with a Taser. What this study showed was that the heart rates of the animals jumped to more than 130 beats per minute at the time they were shocked -- a finding that leads Slovis to wonder whether the same kind of dangerous, racing rhythm occurs in human hearts as well.

"Tasers save lives, but Tasers are not perfectly safe," he says. "A Taser should not be used unless force is absolutely necessary. I am no longer convinced that Tasers are blameless."

If there is any point on which all agree, it is that Tasers are weapons -- ones that should be used only in appropriate situations. "These are not 100 percent safe," study investigator Dr. William Bozeman says. "These are weapons and must be treated as such."

Critics question findings in new study on taser use

October 8, 2007
Terry McSweeney, ABC News

"There was nothing about the interaction between taser use and someone under the influence of drugs and alcohol drug use or mental illness. I thought the study was inadequate in reviewing what everybody has been calling for which is more research in that very area in terms of the interaction between tasers and vulnerable populations," said Aram James, former public defender.

Northern Ireland: Amnesty International condemns Chief Constable's 'blatant disregard' of human rights standards in taser decision

October 5, 2007
amnesty.org.uk

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International Northern Ireland programme director, said:

"Only last week the Chief Constable said there would be no deployment of Tasers in Northern Ireland until equality and human rights concerns were met. Now he is pressing ahead regardless with the deployment of this potentially lethal weapon.

"This demonstrates a blatant disregard for the human rights standards and for the legitimate concerns of many ordinary people.

"Research into Taser use shows that here are serious doubts over the safety of these weapons, particularly when used on vulnerable groups of people such as those with heart conditions or under the influence of drugs. These concerns have already led a number of American law enforcement agencies to rule against using the devices. Let's be clear; people are at serious risk of injury, or in some cases death if the Taser is used without adequate safeguards."

Northern Ireland: Orde Opts For Taser Stun Gun Trial

October 5, 2007

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is to push ahead with the adoption of taser stun guns for use by the PSNI. However the Policing Board remains split on the use of the non-lethal weapons that deliver a 50,000 volt jolt to stun the target. Sinn Fein members are opposed to the adoption of the stun guns on principle and the Policing Board had passed a resolution that deployment should be deferred until an equality assessment had been undertaken.

Despite this opposition, Sir Hugh has declared that he is bringing in 12 of the weapons in a controlled experiment that will see them carried by specially trained officers. Sir Hugh said that stun guns are in use by police forces throughout Britain and that he would go ahead with the pilot scheme to deploy the non-lethal alternative to firearms.

Is TASER telling the truth?

July 31, 2006
Tim Beyers, The Motley Fool

This report represents one of the many elements to the taser story that keeps me here. Although this particular report was published in July 2006, it bears repeating for those who may be new to this.

Another article published on August 2, 2007 sheds more light on this strange phenomenon of truth-shifting.

Inquiry demanded into Italian man's death in Quebec jail

October 4, 2007
CBC News

Quebec City's Italian community is demanding a public inquiry into the death of a 32-year-old man who died last week while in police custody. Claudio Castagnetta, a business student at l'Université Laval, died Sept. 20 of self-inflicted wounds after he reportedly banged his head on a wall while in police custody. The Italian immigrant was arrested Sept. 18 after he wandered into a corner store barefoot and apparently confused. The owner shooed him out but Castagnetta wouldn't move on so the police were called.

It took six police officers and a stun gun to remove him from the street. He was arrested for disorderly conduct, and kept in a cell. That's when Castagnetta started to hit his head against the wall, according to reports from his ex-wife.

He was eventually charged with resisting arrest. Castagnetta's health started to deteriorate the day after police apprehended him, and he died soon after.

At an evening vigil held in his honour in Quebec City, Castagnetta's supporters said he should have been sent to a psychiatric hospital, not a jail cell, given his strange behaviour while in custody.

"We don't understand how this can happen here in Quebec in 2007," said Marco Michele Sisto, Castagnetta's friend. "If they made an error, we want the police to recognize there was an error," he said. "In my opinion, a public inquiry would be important in order to make the police publicly test themselves and check their operative techniques and stuff like that."

Many people close to Castagnetta said he'd been acting strange in the days leading to the corner store incident. He was paranoid and talked about having to protect a friend from a co-worker who had 'demonic' eyes, said Jesse Zimmer, another friend. "I think the more people learn about it, the more they are outraged. I think a lot of people are just trying to make sense of it."

Castagnetta's body was returned to Italy this week where his parents will bury him.

Medical remedy in Miami cuts risk of death by taser

For the past seven months, emergency medical technicians in Miami have been participating in a pilot program that aims to prevent TASER-related deaths. The program calls for EMTs to spray the sedative midazolam in the noses of subjects who have been tasered if the first electroshock does not control them. EMTs then inject the subject with iced saline solution to cool their body and sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the toxic acids released by their tense muscles. The treatment, which is the first of its kind in the country, has been used at least 12 times by Miami EMTs to reduce tasered subjects' body temperatures and calm them down. Government officials and Taser International are hoping the treatment will help to restore public confidence in tasers.

Cocaine killed man, not stun gun: doc

October 2, 2007
GLENN KAUTH, Edmonton Sun

It was cocaine, and not a police stun gun, that killed an Edmonton man on Christmas Eve two years ago, a fatality inquiry heard yesterday. As the hearing opened, Dr. Bernard Bannach, the province’s assistant chief medical examiner, reiterated his earlier conclusion that 33-year-old Alesandro Fiacco died of a cocaine overdose and not from four shots from a stun gun on Dec. 24, 2005.

Fiacco was hit with the controversial shock weapon after police were called to deal with him as he wandered into traffic near 113 Street and 76 Avenue that day. He died in an ambulance several minutes later, and relatives have since complained police should have done more to help him as he stammered in a drug-induced state rather than shooting him with the stun gun. At the time, Fiacco believed bees were attacking him, according to witness accounts.

Bannach, however, said that when an electrical current kills someone, it causes a heart attack within three to 15 seconds. In Fiacco’s case, it took 12 minutes after he was zapped for him to go into cardiac arrest. “In this case, the cocaine levels are very, very high,” Bannach said, noting Fiacco had taken enough of the drug to kill him.

Fiacco’s death turned up no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by police, Det. Mark Antsey, who investigated the case, told the hearing yesterday. Under questioning, however, he admitted he had no experience or training with stun guns himself and couldn’t explain police policies on handling people who are mentally ill. “I wasn’t convinced (Fiacco) was mentally ill,” Antsey told the inquiry.

Fatality inquiries are automatically held whenever someone dies in police custody. The presiding judge determines the cause of death and may make recommendations for avoiding similar cases but does not assign blame.

'Excited delirium' cited as cause, but terminology is under debate

October 2, 2007
LATEEF MUNGIN, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The July 26 death of Elier Carlos Rodriguez Escamilla was a result of a medical condition called "excited delirium," according to a news release by the Gwinnett medical examiner's office. It said the Taser shot was "an additional irritant" to drugs and alcohol.

The statement also said that during an autopsy investigators could find no evidence that the Taser shock caused the death. "There is no evidence that the use of the Taser played a direct role in his death beyond serving as an additional irritant that further agitated him," according to the release.

Cocaine killed man, not taser, inquiry hears

October 1, 2007
Trish Audette, Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - An overdose of cocaine is the only thing that killed a man who was Tasered on Christmas Eve in 2005, a fatality inquiry heard today.

Alessandro Fiacco, 33, did not die because he was Tasered, said Dr. Bernard Bannach, assistant chief medical examiner for Alberta.

"There were no other findings that would lead to death by themselves," Bannach told the inquiry. "As far as I am aware, there is no evidence in the scientific literature that Tasering a healthy individual will cause their death."

Fiacco was seen yelling and thrashing at the intersection of 75th Avenue and 113th Street on the afternoon of Dec. 24, 2005. When police arrived, Fiacco resisted arrest and an officer Tasered him three times in 17 seconds in order to subdue him.

He had a heart attack in the ambulance and was pronounced dead in the University Hospital's emergency room. At least 12 minutes passed between the time he was Tasered and his death, Bannach said, which rules out electrocution.

Later this afternoon, an Edmonton police service detective testified an officer used his Taser at 3:13 p.m. on Dec. 24. Paramedics in the ambulance with Fiacco reported his cardiac arrest at 3:41 p.m.

In his last moments, Fiacco complained that he felt snakes or bees on his skin, which Bannach said is typical in those who have high levels of cocaine in their systems. Anything more than one milligram per litre of blood is dangerous or life-threatening.

Fiacco had 5.32 milligrams of cocaine per litre of blood in his leg and groin area, and 2.18 milligrams per litre in his heart, the autopsy found.

Police were first called to the McKernan neighbourhood on Christmas Eve two years ago because of the noise Fiacco was making in the middle of the street.

Det. Len Hudyma testified today officers found Fiacco's rental car nearby; he had first rented the car in late November, and he had been staying at a west-end motel since Dec. 1, 2005. The motel manager told Hudyma that Fiacco had never been any trouble, and said Fiacco was either coming from or going to work on a pipeline up north.

Fiacco's parents were in the courtroom today, but declined to comment.

The fatality inquiry, which is set for the next two weeks, is taking place because Fiacco died in police custody. It will not assign blame, but the provincial court judge hearing the inquiry can make recommendations to avoid similar deaths in the future.

Man dies after Kansas City police use taser

October 1, 2007
myfoxkc.com

Keith White, 44, unarmed

"Police are investigating whether it was the 50,000 volts of electricity from the taser or something else that may have caused his death. Police have yet to release how many times he was tased."

Georgia man dies after police taser him

October 1, 2007
walbnews (Quitman, Georgia)

Samuel Baker, 59

Family members claim Samuel Baker was tasered four times in the chest. At least one they say, was confirmed by doctors. Doctors aren't sure what killed him, affects from that taser or a heart attack. "We haven't had the answers yet. We're waiting on the autopsy report," say Verrgie Hill, Baker's cousin. "We are going to get to the bottom of it regardless. Find out some truth in it," says Curtis Baker, Samuels brother. Investigators with the GBI say they are reviewing the tapes to find the truth and say a chip in the taser can determine how many times it was used. They hope to have those findings as well as autopsy results soon.

At the mercy of taser torturers

September 25, 2007
Pierre Tristam, Daytona Beach News-Journal

This guy hits the nail on the head more than once.

"... the stun gun, the single-most savage addition to police arsenals since the back-alley interrogation, has done the opposite of its intended purpose. Rather than lowering the level of violence necessary to subdue dangerous individuals, the stun-gun has lowered the threshold of excusable police violence by making the use of brutal force seem protective. Briefly electrocuting someone, the story goes, is better than shooting him. But before that choice between two brutalities, there was a choice between brutality and reason — between Rambo with a shield and good policing. A cop who’d never dream of unholstering a firearm against a lout or a big-mouthed student isn’t hesitating to unholster the stun-gun and use it repeatedly under the guise of restoring control.

What a convenient perversion of reality: a 5-second torture session, often repeated many times, often unnecessary, overwhelmingly directed at non-violent individuals, is called “improving safety.” For whom? Earlier this year the Houston Chronicle analyzed the Houston Department’s use of Tasers since they were introduced two years ago to that same crock fanfare — “to reduce deadly police shootings.” Since then, the paper found, “officers have shot, wounded and killed as many people as before the widespread use of the stun guns.” Houston officers used their Tasers more than 1,000 times in the past two years, “but in 95 percent of those cases they were not used to defuse situations in which suspects wielded weapons and deadly force clearly would have been justified.” Tasers, in other words, are instruments of punishment, not safety. They’re enabling cops to be executioners rather than law enforcers, not just metaphorically."

"... the moment a cop appears on the scene and metes out orders, not following them can mean an immediate charge of resisting or battery if you so much as graze the cop’s ego. Judging from public comments responding to incidents like the one at the University of Florida, that’s what people want from their cops — uncompromising control. In a cop’s presence, your job is to conform, submit, accept that you’re guilty until proven otherwise.

Thoracic Compression Fractures as a Result of Shock From a Conducted Energy Weapon: A Case Report

Annals of Emergency Medicine (formerly known as the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians)
James E. Winslow MD, MPH, William P. Bozeman MD, Michael C. Fortner MD and Roy L. Alson PhD, MD, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

"In this case report we describe for the first time thoracic spine compression fractures resulting from a conducted energy weapon discharge. Physicians who may care for patients who have been exposed to a conducted energy weapon discharge should be aware of this as a possible complication."

Address for correspondence: James E. Winslow, MD, MPH, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1089; 336-716-1740, fax 336-716-1705, jwinslow@wfubmc.edu

Police in Northern Ireland will not be issued with tasers

September 25, 2007
The Irish Times

Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Sir Hugh Orde said that if tasers were eventually issued for use in Northern Ireland there would be serious limitations. "I have no intention of issuing tasers routinely to ordinary police officers. All we are talking about, in Northern Ireland, is potentially issuing them to the most highly trained firearms officers as an alternative," he said.

Policy describes rules for taser

September 24, 2007

Heidi Gill learned the hard way that disobeying a Warren police officer’s orders could be enough reason to be jolted by the electrical shock from a Taser gun, according to the department’s use-of-force policy.

Says Rick Mahan, coordinator of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in Youngstown: "It’s a better form of non-lethal weapon."

Even the manufacturer no longer calls the weapon "non-lethal." And yet police continue to use it as though it were.

Despite deaths, officials call tasers effective tool

September 24, 2007
Chicago Tribune

"Still, several high-profile cases involving Tasers have threatened to turn public opinion against the device."

Debate heats up over US stun gun laws

September 24, 2007
Mark Simkin, ABC News

Palo Alto police revise 'liberal' taser policy

September 23, 2007
By Kristina Peterson, Palo Alto Daily News

Man tasered for refusing to lift hand off Quran

September 21, 2007
Associated Press

The Qurun is the central religious text of Islam.

Who's PAYING these "people?" aka "Listen to the police or just don't be so stupid"

Here are but a few of the comments I've received here today (of the hundreds of visitors) - mere replicas of those I see on every website that DARES to equate tasers with unjustified force. "Real" people can't possibly be writing this stuff. I'm left wondering who's paying these "Master Commenters."

All of these comments relate to Heidi Gill's horrific experience at the hands of an out-of-control police officer:

Yeah riiigggghhhhhtttttt. Good thing to say right before filing your law suit. If anyone looks crazy in this video, it's you lady, and the word lady is used advisedly.

This is a ridiculous debate! do what the police SAY to do and then there won't be a problem. people who obey the law have no worries here. this officer was justified in his actions- hands down.

Maybe if people would actually listen to the police or just not be so stupid as to become so intoxicated that they cannot control their own behavior, police would not have to use tasers or any force. The blame all centers back on her, not the police.

She got what she deserved and should have gotten more.

Put on a uniform and go to a few bar fights, maybe then you'll get it.

Oh, I "get it" alright but thanks for asking.

One voice of reason had the audacity to ask: "Why is it okay to use a Taser on a human being? Who is making money on this? Where does the trail of money lead to? I just do not understand."

To which, I say, please come back again - I'll help you understand.

Heidi Gill - Probe of arrest ongoing

September 21, 2007
Ron Selak Jr., Tribune Chronicle (Ohio)

Said Heidi Gill about her experience: "I thought I wasn’t going to make it out of there. It was horrible. I was in fear and I wanted out. That was the worst part, in the car. I thought something snapped in him [Warren police officer Richard Kovach], he was just so verbally abusive, so crazed."

See and hear the horrific video here.

Officer says he shocked her seven times, twice after she had been handcuffed.

ABC News focuses on tasers

ABC News has published a series of in-depth articles on tasers over the past few days.

Taser Nation: Are Cops Using Tasers Too Often?
By RUSSELL GOLDMAN
Two Tasering incidents this week have again raised questions about the stun gun's use -- and possible abuse.

Police Too Quick to Taser?
Tasering Seems to Have Surged in Popularity, but It Is a Seemingly Extreme Measure

Are Officers Going Overboard with Tasers?
Deputy Subdues Autistic Teen With Stun Gun; Ohio Cop on Leave After Tasering Handcuffed Woman

Kerry Condemns Heckler Arrest

Taser doubts

September 20, 2007
Talahassee Democrat

And I quote: "But how many more people must die before more thorough study of Tasers is undertaken? Few Taser incidents wind up making the news. But scores of people whom law officers intended to subdue, not kill, are dead anyway. That's worthy of a closer look."

Yesssss! My point exactly.

Ohio woman tasered numerous times by police officer

September 20, 2007
winknews.com

An Ohio police officer is on "paid administrative leave" after dashboard camera video shows him using a taser over and over again on Heidi Gill even after she's handcuffed and again when she's cooperating.

Another example of a police officer in the throes of excited delirium?

Get your "Don't tase me, bro!" t-shirt

The newest in trendy t-shirts is the "Don’t tase me, Bro!" design. The phrase references the recent taser attack on a University of Florida student at a John Kerry speaking event. "Don't tase me, bro!" was uttered by Andrew Meyer as he was pinned to the floor by six University of Florida police officers after he tried to exercise his right to free speech.


Buy it here.



Buy it here.


Buy it here.

Campaign against the taser - New Zealand

In New Zealand, despite a well organized campaign against the taser, the weapons were introduced on a one-year trial basis in 2006. The trial ended in August 2007, however opponents believe the stun gun will continue to be used regardless.

As part of the campaign's effort to educate and enlighten, a video was developed and is available on YouTube.

It's worth watching - if you have the stomach for it.

United States Forest Service purchases 700 tasers

September 19, 2007
CNNMoney.com

Are these to be used on happy campers? Innocent wildlife? Or perhaps the plan is to use the tasers to control children in the US Forest Service's newly announced "More Kids in the Woods" project?

The US Forest Service's mission is: "to provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run."

Am I missing something here?

Senator Kerry's office issues statement re UF student tasered

Senator Kerry's office issued the statement below:

"In 37 years of public appearances, through wars, protests and highly emotional events, I have never had a dialogue end this way. I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption, but I do not know what warnings or other exchanges transpired between the young man and the police prior to his barging to the front of the line and their intervention. I asked the police to allow me to answer the question and was in the process of responding when he was taken into custody. I was not aware that a taser was used until after I left the building. I hope that neither the student nor any of the police were injured. I regret enormously that a good healthy discussion was interrupted."

At his court hearing this morning, Andrew Meyer was ordered released on his own recognizance. He faces two charges: "resisting an officer with violence" and "disrupting a school assembly."

UF President Asks for Investigation into Taser Incident

September 18, 2007
First Coast News, Gainsville, Florida

The president of the University of Florida is asking for a full investigation into the incident at the town hall forum hosted by Senator John Kerry.

Campus police used tasers to arrest student Andrew Meyer when he refused to step away from a microphone.

Here is a copy of the letter to the university from president J. Bernard Machen.

To students, faculty, staff:

I have received a great deal of communication and input last night and this morning regarding the incident that occurred Monday at the conclusion of a town hall forum being held by Sen. John Kerry. The incident resulted in a student being tasered.

We are interested in learning what happened and are taking the following immediate steps to ensure the university utilizes best practice protocols:

University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conduct a formal investigation into the arrest of UF student Andrew Meyer. An independent review such as this will make sure the results are objective and impartial. Chief Stump's priority is to ensure that the public remains confident in the department's ability to keep the campus safe.

Two officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

We plan to assemble a panel of faculty and students to review our police protocols, our management practices and the FDLE report to come up with a series of recommendations for the university.

Administrators and police officials plan to analyze the incident and conduct an internal review and will consider changing protocols in response to this incident, if necessary.

Finally, as is standard procedure, the State Attorney's Office will review the charges brought against Mr. Meyer. We have communicated with the State Attorney and understand he plans to expedite his review.

I will talk about the incident and answer questions at a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. in Emerson Alumni Hall.

Sincerely,
J. Bernard Machen

A few hours later, the university president met with reporters and said the university considers it "fundamental" to provide a setting where "civil discourse" can happen.

He added that "the incident that occurred yesterday was regretful for us because civil discourse and dialogue did not occur."

Orange County deputies taser 15-year-old autistic boy

September 18, 2007
laist

UF student tasered during John Kerry speech

University of Florida (College of Journalism and Communications) student Andrew Meyer was tasered today at a John Kerry speech at the university. Andrew Meyer was removed from the microphone after asking several questions of John Kerry and was forcibly taken down by at least five police officers. He was already on the floor of the auditorium and surrounded by police when one used a taser on him.

To see what the police look like in the throes of excited delirium, see the video footage at You Tube.

Andrew Meyer was charged with "disrupting a public event."

This one's not over - not by a long shot.

Reminds me of the incident in Brattleboro, Vermont at the end of July, when two peaceful activists were tased by police during a non-violent protest.

Ex-cop livid over police stun-gunning of son

September 17, 2007
Frankie Edozien, New York Post

Less-lethal technology: research on conducted energy devices

The US National Institute of Justice, an agency of the US Department of Justice, has commissioned a new study to learn more about the effects of conducted energy devices, which are commonly called "stun guns." As the number of law enforcement agencies using stun guns has increased, the number of deaths reported to be associated with this less-lethal technology also has increased. NIJ has commissioned the study, titled "In-custody Deaths due to Conducted Energy Devices," to investigate whether the technology can contribute to or cause death and, if so, in what ways.

Other Current NIJ Research on Conducted Energy DevicesEffects of

TASER on Human Blood

Assessment of HEMI Devices in Trainees

Establishment of Interdisciplinary Working Group

Verifying Reported Effectiveness of Conducted Energy Devices in Reducing Deaths and

Injuries and a Review of Less-lethal Technology Operational Needs

Model Electric Current Through the Human Body From Less-lethal Conducted Energy Devices

Injuries Produced by Law Enforcement Use of Less-lethal Weapons: A Prospective Multicenter Trial

Enhancing Local and State Law Enforcement’s Understanding and Use of Emerging Technology

Human Effects Center of Excellence

Analysis of Airport Security Measures and the Role of Less-Lethal Weapons

Anti-taser action in San Jose

Check out the amazing photos from yesterday's anti-taser rally in San Jose, California!

September 12, 2007
www.indybay.org

"Taser survivors, civil and human rights advocates, and cultural performers came together on Tuesday, September 11th to kick off a campaign to ban tasers in San Jose. People gathered that day at 5:00 pm outside of the District Attorney's Office at 70 West Hedding St. From there, participants marched to the San Jose Police Department. A final rally was held at City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., at 6:30 pm. Since 2004, when San Jose equipped all of its police officers with tasers, 5 people have died as a result of police use of tasers in that city. In the US, at least 268 pepole have died since 2001 after they were tased. Steve Salinas was tased to death by SJPD on May 25th, 2007. The Custodio family was tased and beaten on February 5th, 2007. Student Stephen Johnson was tased and beaten on March 10th, 2006."

Children make shocking find

September 12, 2007
Michael L. Owens, The News Virginian

Judge, Jury & Electrocutioner

Here is the latest art/law collaboration between former California public defender and well-known anti-taser activist Aram James and renowned political graphic artist Doug Minkler.

The message is LOUD and CLEAR.

To see a larger version, click on the image. If you would like to order a poster, please contact Doug Minkler at the e-mail address on his website.

July 2, 2007 - TASERS SAVE LIVES - THE BIG LIE
Earlier this year, I received an extraordinary poster in the mail from my new friends in California, former deputy public defender Aram James and renowned political graphic artist Doug Minkler. This large silkscreen poster was a collaboration between Doug, the artist, and Aram, the wordsmith. I was very moved by the powerful way in which they portrayed the message: Tasers Save Lives - The Big Lie. They were kind enough to send more than one copy and I was over the moon about being able to share one with Cameron Ward on returning to Vancouver in May. Cameron's awe mirrored my own.

To see a larger version of the poster, click on the image shown.

I was thrilled to learn this weekend that Tasers Save Lives - The Big Lie was selected as one of only 137 posters, from over 2,200 submitted from 56 countries, to be given a full page display in a catalog published by the International Poster Competition. This competition, held from May 12 to June 24, 2007, is part of the International Poster and Graphic Arts Festival of Chaumont (France).

I am honoured to own one. If you would like to order a poster, please contact Doug Minkler at the e-mail address on his website. You can also download a small copy of the poster for free from the same place.

San Jose march today opposes police use of tasers

September 11, 2007
Bay City News Service

San Jose community members will hold a rally and march today in an effort to halt the San Jose Police Department's use of Tasers, event organizers have announced. The rally will kick off in front of the Santa Clara County district attorney's office at 70 W. Hedding St. at 5 p.m. with speeches by family members of victims who have been allegedly Tasered by San Jose police officers. Participants will then head to the San Jose Police Department and call on officers to turn in their Tasers. The event will end with a live demonstration of the effects of Taser use and the release of 268 balloons, representing each officer-involved, Taser-related death throughout the country since 2001, according to event organizers. There have been five Taser-involved deaths involving San Jose police officers since 2004, organizers said.

Protesters have their day in court

September 11, 2007
Patrick Crowley, Brattleboro Reformer

Peaceful protestors Jonathan Crowell and Samantha Kilmurray pled not guilty to misdemeanor charges.

See Brattleboro for more information.

Anaheim (California) man dies after taser

September 10, 2007
Denisse Salazar, The Orange County Register

Jorge Renteria Terrquiz, 25, unarmed - died Sunday, September 9th

This is the second death in California this month. The first recorded taser-related death - that of David Flores - occurred in California in 1999. Since then, 52 more people have died in that state.

Amnesty fears over Brunstrom Taser stunt

September 9, 2007
Andrew Dagnell, icWales.co.uk

Amnesty International is protesting the top cop in North Wales, Richard Brunstrom, after he showed himself on his blog getting zapped by a taser. He first, however, had the benefit of a medical test to ensure he was fit enough to be tasered, which he "passed with flying colours." He was tasered for 1.5 seconds.

In the clip, Mr. Brunstrom says: “We’re prepared to use this on members of the public when we have to. It’s right and proper that the head of the organisation tries it out for himself.”

And his last words - a warning: "I very strongly advise you, if faced by an officer and a Taser, that you follow the instructions of the nice police officer, because you will not enjoy the consequences of disobedience."

Cathy Owens, of Amnesty International in Wales, has said: "I’m afraid Mr Brunstrom has given the game away because at the end of the video he clearly alludes to police using Tasers when people are merely disobedient. It is not clear to people who watch the video how Tasers will be deployed, and whether they will just be used on disobedient individuals who argue with police."

Protect and serve, not shock and awe, in Vermont

September 8, 2007
John Curran, AP

Brattleboro, Vermont has been in the spotlight lately. Police in Brattleboro were the first in Vermont to acquire tasers. They got the first three in 2002 and today they have eight. The population is less than 12,000.

Today's article describes how and when Brattleboro police have used tasers. This story even made the Boston Globe.

On Thursday, it was reported that the town has decided to conduct its own review of the use of tasers on a pair of nonviolent protestors on July 24th instead of waiting for the attorney general's office to finish a statewide review of police use of force policies - Town hires judge to do Taser review

Recently, Brattleboro suspended the use of tasers only to quickly redeploy them. This is a town at the crossroads, one that is in an excellent position to stop the insanity. However, it will take some energy and a little cranium grease on the part of the 50 people who turned out recently, carrying "Protect and serve, not shock and awe" signs and marching through downtown. To gather strength in numbers, these people will have to continue to walk the walk and talk the talk, to enlighten the government of Brattleboro and the public at large.

Guelph Union of Tenants and Supporters calls for ban of police tasers in Guelph (Ontario)

September 6, 2007
Guelph, Ontario

The Guelph Union of Tenants and Supporters is calling for an immediate ban on Tasers being issued to city Police.

Currently only Supervisors and the Tactical Squad are issued Tasers. The Police Chief has called for Tasers to be issued to every front-line officer. There are several recent reports of inappropriate and excessive use of Tasers in Guelph.

GUTS supports the recent findings of Amnesty International. The group has recently published a report titled "Canada, Inappropriate and Excessive use of tasers."

Amnesty states that the Taser is supposed to be an alternative to deadly force yet is consistently used too early in the use of force model. Also Amnesty states "None of the studies carried out in Canada into the use of tasers meet Amnesty International's criteria for an independent, impartial and comprehensive inquiry into their use and effects.."

On July 25, 2007 a Guelph man was tasered by police, because he was suspected of being intoxicated and acting irrationally. The General Warnings put out by Taser, states that “... drug intoxication or chronic drug abuse, and/or over-exertion from physical struggle may result in serious injury or death.” Despite the lack of an immediate risk of death being posed to the officers involved, they chose to taser this man. The Guelph Police are in contravention of both International Law and the General Warnings put out by the manufacturer.

On the night of April 15, 2005 the Guelph Police arrested a woman for public intoxication. Following a strip search, she was placed in an interrogation room. When she refused to stand up, she was tasered by the Guelph Police. Tasers in combination with the influence of alcohol can be fatal. Moreover, since she was sitting down, the woman clearly was no physical threat to the officers.

These two cases highlight that the manner in which the Taser is being used in Guelph, and more broadly Canada, is in contravention of the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by law Enforcement Officials. GUTS believes that under international law, the manner in which Tasers are being used in our community would fall into the category of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

It is GUTS' position that the leadership and highly trained units in the Guelph Police do not have the training nor inclination to correctly use tasers. Clearly the culture of policing in Guelph is not conducive to proper use of tasers and they should be banned until proper training is given, proper research is conducted, and proper accountability measures are in place.

Attorney reveals private autopsy results for Nathaniel Cobbs

Civil rights attorney Michael Sussman yesterday disclosed the results of an independent autopsy conducted on the body of Nathaniel Cobbs who died on July 8. He handed out the final page of Dr. Lone Thanning's findings at a news conference with Cobbs' family on Broadway yesterday. Thanning wrote, under the heading of "immediate cause," that Cobbs died of "multi-organ shock with exsanguination (massive bleeding)." Under the "proximate cause" of death, she concludes it was because of "multiple blunt and electric force injuries (contusions, lacerations; consistent with canine bite marks, and Taser burn abrasions.)" Finally, she notes under "associate conditions" that Cobbs was suffering "multiple, acute drug intoxication; (phencyclidine, cocaine.)"

The original autopsy blamed Cobbs' death on his enlarged heart and the drug PCP in his system. Says Michael Sussman, "The autopsy ... made no effort to find the truth."

See also Work of MD who performed Cobbs autopsy "incomplete, inadequate, or erroneous"

Family details hours before mentally ill man's death

September 5, 2007
Vallejo Times-Herald, California

Charles Gordon, 26, unarmed

Family members said a coroner's official told them Tuesday that Gordon did not die from his neck wound. An autopsy did not determine an immediate cause of death because authorities don't know what role the Taser may have played or whether Gordon had used drugs, Solano County Coroner's Deputy John Prink said. Charles Gordon died on September 3, 2007.

Can taser directly cause ventricular fibrillation?

"Conclusions: It is possible to cause ventricular fibrillation in pigs using a taser EMD device. From these data we can now proceed to investigate the probability of taser induced VF in humans."

Shock from taser blamed for spine fractures

September 5, 2007
South Bend Tribune, Indiana

A police officer who volunteered to be Tasered suffered back spasms so severe his spine was fractured, an emergency medicine journal reports. The injury was the first of its kind ever reported in medical literature, journal authors said.