Posted on 07/31/2005 9:20:58 AM PDT by SevenMinusOne
Witnesses: Tasered boy posed no threat
July 31, 2005
BY DAVE NEWBART Staff Reporter
A 14-year-old boy who went into cardiac arrest after he was zapped by a Chicago Police stun gun had not threatened police or anyone else before he was shocked, four eyewitnesses to the February incident say.
The developmentally delayed boy was sitting on a couch in a juvenile home and was not attempting to harm anyone, the witnesses claim in sworn court depositions obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
After the boy went into convulsions and fell to the floor, the officer who used the Taser allegedly said, "Now look at this f-----' paperwork I've got to do,'' at least two witnesses claim in the depositions.
The testimony contradicts police reports, in which a police sergeant claims he shot the boy with the gun -- which delivers 50,000 volts of electricity -- out of fear for his own safety.
The depositions were taken in a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court in which the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the boy's guardian, charges police used excessive force in the incident. The lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 in damages on each of two counts.
In court documents, the city has denied the charges. Police spokesman Dave Bayless said many other witnesses -- including police on the scene -- had yet to be deposed in the case. "Let all the witnesses provide their version of events, and somewhere in there, the truth will emerge,'' he said.
Bayless stood by the police reports filed at the time, including one that stated the boy "stood up in an aggressive stance with raised fists and then leg towards police'' before he was stunned.
The officers involved -- including Sgt. Samuel Lopez, an 11-year veteran who deployed the Taser -- remain on the job, police said. The police Office of Professional Standards has interviewed several witnesses but has not yet ruled.
Chicago Police do not have a policy banning the use of Tasers on children, but its use remains controversial. Amnesty International says there are no solid studies showing the weapons are safe for use on children. But Arizona-based Taser International said tests on pigs between 66 and 257 pounds showed the weapons to be safe.
'Extremely traumatic event'
After the Taser was used, the boy's heart stopped. He was shocked with a defibrillator by medical staff four times to resuscitate him, but he remained in a medically-induced coma for three days, medical records show. He spent three weeks in two hospitals and often could not remember why he was there or even visits with family members earlier in the day. He was often confused, spoke slowly and complained of shoulder and chest pain, the records state. Although police said the boy weighed as much as 240 pounds, records show he weighed only 175 pounds.
The incident happened after the boy went into a rage at the residential center in February when a staff member took his baseball cap. He smashed windows and allegedly pushed staff members. He then refused treatment for his bleeding hand. But there is no evidence the boy was under the influence of illegal drugs, Harris said.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, he was sitting on a couch in an office and had calmed down, depositions show, although some witnesses said he was still agitated. He refused medical treatment even after Fire Department paramedics and a police officer arrived.
When Lopez arrived at the scene, he had a Taser in his hand, witnesses said. The boy asked Lopez what he planned to do with the weapon, the boy's therapist, Alvin Hill, said in a deposition. Lopez allegedly responded, "We're going to put some juice in you,'' Hill recalled. In response, the boy said, "Go ahead, shoot me with your toy gun,'' testified Ulich campus supervisor Wayne Riley, a former probation officer.
The officer should be out of a job (or at the verly least suspended for a period of time and then put on a desk job).
And this kid shouldn't be allowed to sue! - Everyone move on -
Why? He had a taser to play with and apparently no restrictions on its use. After all, those things cost a lot of money. Makes sense to use them every chance you get. Or maybe this is "professionalism" in this police department.
Where's the problem? The kid wanted to be shot - enough said.
You missed his point. Common sense and professionalism has flown out the window in the Law Enforcement arena. Police used to SETTLE disputes, they didn't HAVE to or FEEL they had arrest people or draw weapons all the time. The taser is becoming an excuse to use such force because it is considered "non-lethal". The result, no common sense anymore.
Maybe the cop should just grab the little fiend. When it turns out the kid bites him and has aids, well gee, I hope the officer is OK.
Oh but the kid is already bleeding. Better not grab him. Then of course there's the always the baton...
(IMO) I am suspicious of the way this whole thing was reported. The poor innocent emotionally challenged yout' was just sitting there innocently minding his own business, when all of the sudden, Barney Fife kicks the door sown and tazers him.. uh uh. I would need more info before would jump to condemn the L.E. Officer involved.
The incident happened after the boy went into a rage at the residential center in February when a staff member took his baseball cap. He smashed windows and allegedly pushed staff members. He then refused treatment for his bleeding hand. But there is no evidence the boy was under the influence of illegal drugs, Harris said.
Nope, just your normal 240 pound kid acting out..
By the time emergency personnel arrived, he was sitting on a couch in an office and had calmed down, depositions show, although some witnesses said he was still agitated. He refused medical treatment even after Fire Department paramedics and a police officer arrived. When Lopez arrived at the scene, he had a Taser in his hand, witnesses said. The boy asked Lopez what he planned to do with the weapon, the boy's therapist, Alvin Hill, said in a deposition. Lopez allegedly responded, "We're going to put some juice in you,'' Hill recalled. In response, the boy said, "Go ahead, shoot me with your toy gun,'' testified Ulich campus supervisor Wayne Riley, a former probation officer.
Well, here you go. You had paramedics, the fire department, and FINALLY the police. The kid required medical treatment, and then GAVE CONSENT. Though, possibly, a minor is incapable of giving consent. But this kid has problems that the taser did not create..
Yeah, but the kid is a retard. And it looks like the cop might be one too.
That is where the professionalism of the Officer needs to come into play - Using a taz, is not it.
A youth mouthing off is where maturity needs to come into play - and the immaturity of "you can't mouth off to me...I'm a big bad police officer" needs to go out the window.
Again, we have 18-22 year old young men in Iraq (in a fierce combat zone) showing more professionalism than this officer.
Everyone on deathrow is retarded as well.
Sometimes, retardation is a after-the-fact media diagnosis or familial excuse.
Obstinate, trouble maker, commits crime = retarded.
Drug-addicts, Sociopaths, scofflaws, gangtsers.. The instant they get into trouble they become "Challenged".
I have empathy, but I'm not gullible.
Of course, this could be a mistake on the Officer's part, I'm not ruling that out, I just want to point out that we are duped by the "retardation" ploy on a regular basis.
Incorrect, this is what the foolish officer on scene reported - (actual facts show the kid was 175 pounds...meaning the officers judgment was off by almost 40% of the kids true weight!)
According to the article He was posturing, threatening with hands and feet.
Add my name to those 6 witnesses to testify against those mean old rich poo-leece. I don't know jack about this case but don't hesitate to axe me whut's be happenin to this po chile. By the way I do get to share the lawsuit money, don't I?
Actually this isn't how the story was reported at all (read it) - So wy the need for strawman in order for you to try and make your case that the officer did nothing wrong.
He most certainly acted without the professionalism we are demanding of 18 to 20 year old kids in Iraq (a fierce combat zone). The officer's actions and comments are those of an officer that should be out of work (or suspended and then on to a desk job).
LOL
Unless this kid was 7' 2" at that weight, he had poor eating habits, probable high blood pressure and hypertension.
Based on what you are saying, their wasn't a lot else the police could do and this was a reasonable use of force in this situation.
Are the police to allow this giant kid to kill someone else first?
If this kid was breaking windows out in a Home, that flying glass could have killed other kids.
Also, lots of over violence he was displaying could have killed others.
Despite the age, if this kid was being really dangerous to others, it is best he died first before others.
He could have always cooperated and avoided the whole thing.
I see no reason to sue or go after the police for anything here.
Maybe they do want to change procedures and put nets in the cars to throw over some of these people.
I know the issue with a net is you can't search the person well and that is also a danger to the police.
Everything is too complicated these days.
"I would need more info before would jump to condemn the L.E. Officer involved."
-Nuff said.
According to the officer in question thy child was acting in this manner (an officer who also misreported the child's weight by over 40%!) - An additionally 4 witnesses (adults) said the child was doing no such behavior (toward the officer - other than running his mouth a little).
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