"72-year-old woman tasered by police"

[orleans]

A sheriff’s office near Austin, Texas said one of its officers was completely justified by tasing a 72-year-old woman. A dash camera in one of the sheriff’s cruisers caught the entire incident.

In the video you see the officer try to handcuff the woman. She pulls away and the officer deploys the taser. She falls to the ground and you hear yelling.

It all started when the officer pulled the woman over for speeding. The sheriff's office said she refused to sign the ticket and told the officer to take her to jail. When she became uncooperative, even daring the officer to tase her, she attempted to get back in the vehicle and that's when the officer fired the taser.

The woman was checked out by EMTs and was fine. She was later charged with resisting arrest.

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S971385.shtml?cat=566

[joeybee12]

1. Texas

Says it all.

[Xenotime]

105. Yup. It's about as backwards as it gets

[Julius Civitatus]

123. We need a NATIONAL REGULATION on how to use TASERS

In some parts of the country tasers are starting to be used indiscriminately, and in place of standard practices.
Unless there's a clear national standard on how to use them, and WHEN their use if justified, there will be plenty of abuse.

[BlooInBloo]

2. And the state-sponsored domestic terrorists get another one.

[MercutioATC]

4. Define "state-sponsored domestic terrorists"

[Akoto]

12. He means the police. n/t

[MercutioATC]

90. Maybe, maybe not. I want HIS definition.

[BlooInBloo]

136. Cop.

[MercutioATC]

141. That's like me saying that all DUers are extremist left-wing crackpots...

...because some people here claim that cops are "state-sponsored domestic terrorists".

There are bad cops, just as there are bad people in any profession.

There are good cops who make bad decisions, just as in any other profession.


...and there are the majority of cops who risk their lives every day to protect us. To paint them all with the same brush is, frankly, childish.

[armyowalgreens]

142. Well that's just ridiculous.

But I've come to expect this shit from many DUers.

[dem629]

19. lol

[Lex]

3. Hard to believe he couldn't take her into custody without popping her with a taser.

I saw the video on msnbc this morning. He was a big guy and she was a small 72 year old lady.

Can't believe, if he wanted to arrest her for being "uncooperative", he couldn't have accomplished it without the taser.

It doesn't really matter if she 'dared' him to tase her imho.

[theHandpuppet]

9. Makes me wonder about police training

Have these police officers been given so little training that they don't know how to calm & subdue a little 72 year old lady without employing a taser?

[aikoaiko]

22. If course the officer could "man-handle" her, but could have led to serious injuries (broken bones)

When tasers work properly, they don't generally leave severe injuries or kill people despite all the fear and loathing of them here at DU. I couldn't tell from the video linked if it was unjustified or not.

[Lex]

25. So those are the only 2 alternatives: severe injury by man-handling or taser?

I don't think so. Officers have long been trained in how to diffuse a situation. He didn't even try. He started yelling at her that he was going to tase her.

[aikoaiko]

29. If I understand correctly, she was (trying) getting back into the car

It was either let her go, stop her from getting into the car, or chase.

Is there a better video than the one in the OP?

[MercutioATC]

102. Watch the video.

To anybody who has never worked in law enforcement and doesn't understand how things work, it seems bad....not atrocious, but bad.

The fact that the cop was a dick definitely doesn't help. He wrote a citation for speeding and the woman refused to sign the ticket. So what? The cop CHOSE to make an issue of it when his reaction SHOULD have been "Thank you ma'am. Drive safely.". He opted to go the "disorderly conduct/resisting arrest" route...which is something only dick cops do.

That said, she failed to comply with a lawful order and DID say that she was going to get back into her car. Physically restraining her had a greater chance of injury to her than tasing her did.

My hope is that she's let off with a slap on the wrist and the cop is required to take a conflict resolution class or two.

[aikoaiko]

108. IIRC, in texas, refusing to sign a traffic ticket is automatic arrest.

I can't find the statute, but at this site it suggests that is the case: http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/traffic-tickets.php


"Sign the ticket. This is not an admission of guilt, just an acknowlegement that you received the ticket (like signing for a package). And besides, if you don't sign, the officer has to arrest you."

[MercutioATC]

119. If that's the case, my view would obviously change.

I realize it's all based on state law, but I wasn't aware there was any state that actually had a legal requirement that you sign the ticket.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

112. He could have easily subdued her without the tazer

but she was being uncooperative and nearly walked into traffic which is why he put his hands on her in the first place. She originally claimed she was not being uncooperative and did nothing. When the video was released she refused to give a second interview to the local television station. That being said she should not have been tazed, bro.

[notesdev]

5. As usual, zero consequences

for yet another police-state thug bullying the citizenry.

How long before we replace "land of the free" with "don't taze me bro"? That's pretty much where this country is at right now.

[dem629]

20. What was thuggish?

[notesdev]

41. Tasering a 72-year-old lady is not thuggish?

What's the threshold for thuggish then? Stealing candy from a baby?

[dem629]

44. What does age and gender have to do with it?

Don't we want cops to treat everyone equally?

When she resisted arrest, what should he have done?

[Gormy Cuss]

96. Used his size difference to move her into the backseat of his car??

There are many degrees of "resisting" arrest and using an electric shock device is not warranted in all of them.

[notesdev]

109. It shows how little excuse there is

Looked to me like the officer was the one who initiated force (pushing the old lady), and got some well-deserved ear-chewing for it.

Sorry, but you have no good argument that a 6'+ officer needs to use a taser to subdue an unarmed, elderly lady of less than half his mass.

And remember, this is over a speeding ticket.

These taser devices should not be in the possession of law enforcement, outside of high-security prisons perhaps.

[Hepburn]

114. Sooooooooo.....

....PHYSICALLY a 200 pound male 19 year old weight lifter and a 90 pound 72 year old grandmother should have the same force used against them?

:eyes:

[MercutioATC]

125. 90 pounds? I saw the video.

If she only weighs 90 pounds, she's made of helium.

[Hepburn]

132. I was not referring in particular to the gramma who was tased. n/t

[spiritual_gunfighter]

113. Tazing a 72 year old great-grandmother is uncalled for

He could have easily gotten the situation under control without the tazer. But she was being uncooperative and nearly walked into traffic as shown on the video which is why he pushed her back in the first place. But tazing her was uncalled for completely.

[saigon68]

143. police-state thug bullying the citizenry

LOL Nice term.

Saw fuckers like him beating anti-war demonstrators in the early seventies

The thug police us/vs/them behavior still in vogue

And a few key board warriors still support the actions of these hooligans and hoodlums in uniform

DISGUSTING

[CoffeeCat]

6. There are good cops and there are bad cops...

...and these tasers, all too often, become an extension of a bad cop's anger.

All they have to do is lie about the circumstances or say that the person was
resisting arrest, and they are justified in torturing people.

Tasers have killed hundreds. When will this end?

So barbaric.

[Scout]

45. did you bother to watch the video?

the "grandmother" was the one who turned out to be a lying sack of shit.

she was belligerent, rude and totally uncooperative.

if he had tried to subdue her without the taser, then people would be screaming that he used too much force on a poor little old granny.

[WI_DEM]

7. Yes, they showed the film of it on TV this morning, all the anchors taking the cops side

because the woman was belligerent and wouldn't do what he told her to do. But I'll say one thing he sure did push her hard. He says it was to prevent her from going out in traffic, but I'm not sure. The woman prior to the tape being released said his report about her being uncooperative was a bunch of lies, but she stopped talking after the tape came out.

[TuxedoKat]

18. Yes, I saw this on MSNBC earlier

The woman MSNBC anchors were skeptical about the cop's use of force but some guy commenting on it was supporting the officer -- sickening.

[Mike Daniels]

31. I was watching Morning Joe and the panel was digusted by the P.O.

Joe went so far as to tell people to contact the P.D. in question to complain about the officer's conduct.

[WI_DEM]

37. I was watching my local morning news program to see the weather and they showed the tape

and both anchors stuck up for the cop. "He told her seven or eight times and she wouldn't cooperate."

[spiritual_gunfighter]

115. I understand why he pushed her back

It looked like on the video that she was walking right towards the traffic, I don't think he was out of line doing that. He shouldn't have tazed her bro, I have a problem with that but other than that the cop was totally correct to do what he did and she lied to the press about not being uncooperative.

[Doingitformysisters]

8. Police are using these tasers too freely. I don't see why a taser was necessary

with this old lady.

[dem629]

21. What would you have done?

[jayfish]

38. Not Written Her The Ticket In The First Place?

:shrug:

Jay

[dem629]

40. Why?

[jayfish]

58. Empathy? Compassion? I Dunno,...

the economy's in the tank this woman is more than likely on a fixed income. The last thing I would do is write her an expensive ticket. A ticket that would probably give her insurance company an excuse to raise her insurance rates too.

Jay

[dem629]

63. I don't know how we could know that about her income.

But either way that's a judgment call as to when warnings are issues, and this officer was not out of line in that regard.

[jayfish]

80. Right, And IMO He Used Poor Judgment.

He may not have been out of line but a simple "slow it down ma'am" and none of this would be happening.

Jay

[EOTE]

46. If she was so unruly, why didn't he just cuff her?

You can't think of dozens of alternatives to tasering a 72 year old lady when she gets upset about a ticket? If so, I hope you never become a cop.

[dem629]

48. He tried, and she slapped the cuffs to the ground.

And the gender and age should have nothing to do with it.

[EOTE]

61. Ummm yes, the gender and age definitely should have something to do with it.

Because if this was a strong and healthy 25 year old man, then you MIGHT have a shaky leg to stand on. But seeing as she was a 72 year old woman, there's no fucking reason he couldn't have cuffed her. If he's incapable of cuffing her, he shouldn't be a police officer to begin with. If this dude can't handle a 72 year old woman, how the hell is he going to react when he encounters an actual criminal?

[dem629]

64. I don't view the elderly or women as automatically inferior physically or mentally.

Especially when they've exhibited the physical and mental ability to resist arrest.

[EOTE]

75. Then you don't know very much about people.

Because yes, elderly are typically inferior physically to younger people. And a 72 year old woman (and definitely this one), IS NOT capable of representing a threat to that police officer. If she slapped his cuffs down, he should pick them up and put them on her. If he's not capable of doing that, HE SHOULD NOT BE A COP. Do you seriously not understand that? Are you comfortable with a police force that needs to taze septuagenarians because they're incapable of restraining them any other way? If you are, I hope you like your police state.

[dem629]

79. How many times should he have to attempt that?

[EOTE]

85. As many as it takes to get it right.

And if he can't get it right by the 2nd try, HE SHOULDN'T BE A FUCKING COP. But I've told you that a half dozen times already and it hasn't sunk in yet. So I really doubt that attempting to teach you some semblance of sanity is going to be a fruitful pursuit.

[dem629]

92. LOL

Yeah. "As many times as it takes to get it right"...up to two tries. Great!

So your position is that he should try all day, or at least twice, whichever comes first.

You're making no sense.

[EOTE]

94. If he can't get it done by the 2nd try, he shouldn't be a cop.

Either way he shouldn't be a cop. Understand? Of course not. I forgot who I was talking to for a minute there.

[MercutioATC]

126. Ever try to handcuff somebody?

I don't care WHO they are...if they resist, somebody stands a good chance of being injured.

[JonLP24]

97. LOL

Does it really take all day to handcuff a senior citizen without the use of a tazer? If it really does take someone 24 hours to pick up a set of handcuffs and cuff her meanwhile she slaps them down then the poster is right. That person shouldn't be a cop if it takes all day to handcuff a senior citizen. :rofl:

[EOTE]

101. The two tries was in reference to whether or not he should be a cop.

Once again, you're having a really tough time with that darn logic. You're the one who is making no sense, but I've come to expect that. The point that I was making is that either way, he shouldn't be a cop. If he tases the woman because he's lazy or incapable of physically handling the woman, he shouldn't be a cop. If he tased the woman because he wanted to punish her, he shouldn't be a cop. It's one or the other, and either way, he shouldn't be a cop.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

117. Reading all of your posts

it seems like you want to taze some people, bro.

[Hepburn]

116. +1...n/t

[TahitiNut]

10. Confusion (deliberate) over reason to use taser.

The apologists for tasing grandma harp on HER BEHAVIOR -- as though a taser is a punishment imposed by a judge/jury cop -- instead of focusing on whether the cop was able to control the situation and the individual. There can be no reasonable doubt that grandma's behavior posed absolutely no material impediment to the cop's ability to cuff her, put her in the squad car, and take her in. Grandma is physically incapable of posing a material impediment by her resistance. But that doesn't seem to be the standard against which the apologists rationalize the use of the aser. Instead, it's one of "deserving" of tasing rather than "necessity."

The fact that people shift their rationalization to one of antipathy rather than necessity is an indication of an authoritarian mindset ... and that's inimical to democracy.

[juno jones]

16. Wow.

Great analysis.

Hammer, nail, etc.

Put some feelings into words for me, thanks. :)

[TahitiNut]

17. Thanks.

That cop would probably tase Stephen Hawking for refusing to stop complaining.

It's a model of dysfunctional parentalism/paternalism ... threaten the 'unruly' child with a physical punishment. It has NO PLACE in law enforcement, imho.

I'm sure the apologists would say it's "understandable" -- and I'd agree -- but understanding something is not the same with agreeing. In fact, it's by understanding that we can best disagree, posing a more rational alternative.

[dem629]

23. How would you have cuffed her?

[TahitiNut]

24. One wrist at a time, of course.

But you knew that. :eyes:

[dem629]

30. He tried that, and she slapped the cuffs to the ground.

How many times would you have tried that before (if you want to avoid the taser) you would have had to wrestle her to the ground? Then you'd be on video, and your actions would be skewered here. Or would you have given up the attempt to put the cuffs on?

I'm interested to know how others would have handled it. Thanks for your answer.

[Lex]

35. Further evidence that he's inept as hell.

nt

[dem629]

39. What should he have done at that point, since she had resisted arrest?

[TahitiNut]

43. That cop is either poorly trained or never trained.

Absolutely nothing could prevent him from pressing her against her vehicle and placing cuffs on her wrists one at a time. The disparity in physical strength is just too great. The notion that he had to hold the taser -- threatening her with it - while, at the same time demanding compliance ("put your hands behind your back") is just more of the authoritarian mindset. He does NOT need her physical cooperation! Assuming he does is the kind of thinking that I described above.

[dem629]

47. I'm not sure what part of his training, or procedure or laws he violated.

Which ones?

How are the officers in that county trained? What's the procedure in situations like this?

[EOTE]

50. Are you serious?

If he's incapable of cuffing a 72 year old woman, HE SHOULDN'T BE A COP TO BEGIN WITH. Either way, he's ridiculously incompetent and shouldn't be a cop.

[dem629]

52. Why do age and gender matter?

We want cops to treat everyone equally, and follow procedure, don't we?

[JonLP24]

56. It should play a factor in regards to health

I've seen an example of a truck weaving to the side of the road and cops thinking he was drunk told him to get out of the vehicle and he wouldn't of course and they tasered him. He was actually in a diabetic shock or something like that. I haven't seen the video to comment on at and my $200 8 by 10 inch screen laptop sucks at playing videos.

[dem629]

60. She exhibited no physical inability to resist arrest

nor is there anything on the video suggesting she was even drunk or under the influence.

[JonLP24]

76. It is perfectly ok to taser someone under the influence on drugs or alcohol

But that wasn't what I was referring to. I was talking about considering the possible health effects when it comes to tasering someone at that age.

Also it is nearly impossible to tell if someone is under the influence of anything from a video. Being drunk has the most visible effect but when it comes to other drugs it is dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes which I can imagine you can not see from a dashboard cam.

[TahitiNut]

59. Again you resort to the JUDGE/JURY model.

Wrong model. What's at issue is "reasonable force" and the disparity in physical power.

[dem629]

66. What are the lines regarding "reasonable force" in that jurisdiction?

[EOTE]

65. Of course age and gender matter. Once again, I ask if you're serious.

Because if you're not, I'd suggest taking a bit more time to think about these issues. If you're being pursued by a criminal with a bat, would you rather that criminal be a strong 25 year old man or a 72 year old lady who can't carry a milk jug on her own? Serious question, I'm interested in your answer. Because if you'd rather have the 72 year old lady after you, then you know damn well that the physical ability of a suspect has a damn big effect on how cops treat them. I think you're being obtuse.

[dem629]

67. It depends entirely on their actions.

[EOTE]

82. Now I know you're being obtuse.

If this majority population in this country were people like you, tasering of the elderly would be an extremely common practice. Because hey, sometimes the elderly put up a fight, and in those cases they should be tazed, right? Because cops shouldn't have to put up with any kind of resistance, that's not what they're paid for. They're paid to be not quite up to the physical level of a 72 year old lady. If your thinking becomes more common, this nation is doomed. I have a feeling we already are.

[dem629]

88. Sorry.

But you don't get any extra credit for the repetitive use of the word "obtuse." But congrats on learning a new word. Kind of like getting new shoes, huh? Gotta stretch them out, break them in, test the limits... You have my congratulations.

Now, back to the point you were trying to make.

All of this depends entirely on two things:

1. The events at the scene
2. The procedure of a given jurisdiction

We know a good bit of 1, and I'm guessing neither of us knows anything about 2, so why the rush to judgment? On what basis?

[EOTE]

91. Well, it's either obtuse or stupid, so I was giving you the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe next time I won't be so generous.

[dem629]

93. Right.

This from the person who is making up motives, and giving us gems like this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5817236&mesg_id=5818033

:rofl:

[EOTE]

98. I stand by my coherant post.

People can look at any one of your posts on this thread and see that you're either extremely lacking mentally or have a complete hard on for a police state. I'm guessing a bit from both columns A and B.

[TahitiNut]

54. Agreed.

He imposed a summary punishment where none was necessary.

[dem629]

57. Tasering is punishment?

Which defense attorneys, anywhere in the country, have made that argument in trials or taken it to the appellate level or Supreme Court?

[TahitiNut]

62. Are you being deliberately obtuse?

:eyes:

[EOTE]

68. Yes, he most definitely is.

Or at least I'd hate to think that he's not. If he's not, then I apologize for my harsh responses and offer up some milk and cookies.

[dem629]

70. You seemed very sure of what you were saying.

I'm asking you a question. If you can't back up your assertion, that's not my fault.

[TahitiNut]

78. Hectoring and engaging in sophistries betrays intellectual deceit.

There is nothing in your line of posts that indicates either a desire to discuss or to understand alternative viewpoints. You now adopt the "prove it to me!" posture ... an arrogant judge/jury posture that signals a closed mind.

Buh-bye.

[dem629]

81. That's a good way to avoid admitting you don't know what you're talking about.

Just spouting off, sounding informed, blah blah blah....

And when asked for the slightest bit of proof, you retreat in feigned disgust.

Ah well. See ya later, I guess.

[EOTE]

71. Please read more carefully.

Tasering should NOT be punishment, but this officer obviously used it as punishment. Do you understand that?

[dem629]

74. How do you know that?

You say he "obviously used it as punishment"? What's your proof of that?

And how do you know this (which you wrote below)?

"He tased her because he was angry and wanted to get some payback."

Where are you getting this information? Are you just making stuff up?

[EOTE]

77. OK, this is an either or situation.

EITHER he was using a taser as a way of punishment OR he is in no way physically capable of being a police officer. Either way, this asshole does NOT belong working as a police officer. Is that so hard to understand? Frankly, I find it incredibly hard to believe that this guy didn't have the physical ability to restrain a 72 year old lady, but if that's the case, HE SHOULDN'T BE WORKING AS A COP. Honest question here, are you comfortable with having a police force who can't restrain a 72 year old woman by any other way than taser? Are you?

[dem629]

83. I don't know what the procedure in that county is.

Do you?

If so, please advise.

If not, then how can he be pronounced unfit to serve?

[EOTE]

89. He can't handle a 72 year old lady.

Hence he's unfit to serve. Do you think a cop who can't cuff a 72 year old lady is capable of serving? Apparently you do. That's where we differ. I'd like to have a competent police force, you'd like to have a police force who has to resort to tasering 72 year old ladies. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, Marquis de Sade.

[Hepburn]

120. My office....

...next question.

[notesdev]

121. Is your follow up question...

"Waterboarding is torture?"

If you think tazing isn't a punishment, go get yourself tazed and get back to me on that.

[TahitiNut]

128. We didn't know John Yoo was a DUer, did we?

:crazy:

[aikoaiko]

27. What about the chance of injury to the older woman from resisting while being manhandled?

Sometimes tasers are used as punishers (which I agree is not good practice)_, but its clear that the officer attempts to cuff and she resists and successfully breaks away. That might be because the cop is proficient or it might be because the officer is worried that if he wrenches her arm it will break or taking her down could cause more severe injuries than being incapacitated by the taser.

[TahitiNut]

51. You PRESUME "wrenching" her arm.

The disparity in physical strength is just too great to rationalize either a taser or any kind of bludgeoning. He DID NOT need to hold the taser in one hand ... which ws part of his error. Again, he was demanding compliance and imposing summary punishment ... and that was unnecessary. He did not need her compliance any more than a parent needs the compliance of a 5-year-old in order to restrain her. Period.

[aikoaiko]

84. She is clearly physically resisting so he would have to wrench her arm.

The physical disparity would be the cause of injury to her if she continued to resist while he forced her arms to cuff.

If he had demanded compliance (which I think he was justified in doing), he manhandled her, broke her arm or rib while bracing her, and cuffed and stuffed her, would you say that he punished her in that scenario as well?

I think he did need compliance. She tried to get back into the car several times on the oncoming traffic side of the car. This is where and when people get hit by traveling cars. And frankly, yes, sometimes you do restrain a 5 year old physically to keep them from doing something potentially dangerous.

edited to add: I see what you're saying about the 5 year example, now that I thought about it. I'd be much more worried about physical harm to a manhandling a 72 year old than a child. I would imagine the chance for hemorrhaging and fractures is much greater for the aged.

[EOTE]

55. Damn straight.

You put that very eloquently, but I still can't understand why there are so many people here and elsewhere that condone this behavior. He tased her because he was angry and wanted to get some payback. I can't believe that anyone would suggest that she was tased because that was the last alternative. I'm incredibly pissed this man still has a job.

[dem629]

73. Interesting.

"He tased her because he was angry and wanted to get some payback."

How do you know this? Or have you resorted to making up unsubstantiated motives?

[TahitiNut]

86. I think the cop repeatedly SCREAMING in her face is a clue.

You're being ridiculously disingenuous. :eyes:

[dem629]

95. Yeah, that proves it.

[EOTE]

103. It's either that, or he's physically incapable of restraining a 72 year old lady.

I think he'd prefer it if we thought he was getting pay back. It would probably be far less embarrassing if his friends and family thought that of him. Either way, he doesn't belong working as a cop. Apparently, you're perfectly fine with either scenario.

[LiberalFighter]

100. I guess the police must be short on resources that they couldn't had gotten backup there?

The video shows the cop ordering her out of the vehicle even though he was pushing her back from the road later because of his concern for her safety? Doesn't wash!!


I hope Letterman does a monologue on this and a Top 10 too.

[Ignis]

106. Precisely.

Being a crotchety old lady doesn't warrant a possible death sentence by Taser.

[Hepburn]

118. Excellent....

...but then, I don't expect anything less from you! :hi:

[fishwax]

124. great post

:thumbsup:

[BlooInBloo]

138. Yup. It was a tasering of *choice*, not a tasering of *necessity*. I.e., he wanted to.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Is it necessary for the officer to get the violator's signature?

He had her on tape. He had her drivers license.

Do they absolutely need the signature?

[guitar man]

15. exactly

If she didn't want to sign the ticket, he should have just informed her that she had indeed been issued a citation and would be summoned to court and failure to appear would result in an arrest warrant being issued. Why try and force her to sign the ticket?

[old mark]

13. She's probably lucky he didn't just shoot her.......nt

[Gold Metal Flake]

14. TASER, FUCK YEAH!!!!111

USA! USA! USA!

[Vinca]

26. After watching the video, the woman was definitely a real pain in the ass,

but didn't deserve to be tasered. If a cop can't manage to handcuff a 72 old woman without using a taser, he shouldn't be a cop.

[Lex]

28. Agreed.

nt

[dem629]

32. What does the gender have to do with it?

Aren't women just as capable as men?

[Mike Daniels]

36. Granny's not as innocent as she initially tried to portray the situation

but there's no excuse for a cop not being able to restrain an elderly lady using minimal physical effort.

[aikoaiko]

49. She is apparently a liar too.

72-year-old Kathryn Winkfein, "I was not argumentative. I was not combative."

[hfojvt]

104. I am not sure why he has to arrest her at all

So she didn't sign a ticket. Is that a criminal offense? So she got a little bit persnickety with the cop. Again, is that a criminal offense? If I have not done anything wrong, I expect to be allowed to go about my business.

[aikoaiko]

110. IIRC, in texas, refusing to sign a traffic ticket is automatic arrest.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how I remember it.

[Catherine Vincent]

33. I like that woman. She was feisty.

The cop didn't have to tase her, though. I hope he gets laughed at everyday from his colleagues.

[Fire1]

34. And cops wonder why they're despised. I saw the clip and

that shit was TOTALLY UNNECESSARY, OUT OF LINE AND THE FUCKER LIED!! Flat out LIED!

[dem629]

42. What rules of procedure (or laws) did he violate?

[Fire1]

72. see post #69.

[Scout]

53. who lied?

granny lied.

notice she clammed right up after the video of her behavior was released.

[Fire1]

69. Horse pucky! The cop stated that she was 'uncooperative and

would not sign the ticket!' On the contrary, she CLEARLY stated, SEVERAL TIMES, "give me the damned ticket and I'll SIGN IT." The 'officer' LIED! PERIOD.

[aikoaiko]

99. yeah, she was willing to sign the ticket when the decision to arrest had been made --

One usually doesn't get a second chance with law enforcement.

[Scout]

127. bullshit

she stated on camera that she was not uncooperative, and did not resist arrest, blah blah ....

when clearly on the video she is NOT being cooperative.

now that her behavior on the tape is out there for the world to see, she clammed up.

you can keep screaming all you want, but reasonable people know who the liar is.

[Fire1]

130. If he had given her the paper to sign none of this had to

happen. That much is also clear. But noooooooooo. He was intimidated by a 72 year old and had to 'show her who was in control'.
Bullshit back to you.

[Scout]

134. this all started because SHE WOULDN'T SIGN the ticket to begin with

bullshit your own self.

why didn't she just sign the ticket to begin with? no, she had to be a stupid belligerent bitch about it. if she had signed the ticket like he asked, as she is required to do by law, then all would be avoided.

she is totally at fault, and i have no sympathy for her.

[Fire1]

137. You have your opinion and I have mine. n/t

[galledgoblin]

87. she's two feet shorter than the cop ffs (n/t)

[Xenotime]

107. Why can't they make a taser that doesn't cause all the pain and suffering to the victim?

[MercutioATC]

122. Because hugging a stuffed animal doesn't generally restrain people??

Really? THAT'S your question?


It's temporary pain/discomfort, and it's not that bad. I know, I've been tased (when I worked for a Sheriff's Department).

Any electrical current sufficient to incapacitate somebody is going to cause a little bit of pain.

[Xenotime]

131. I find your response borderline offensive.

Anytime I see one of these video the people are screaming their lungs out. It should be considered torture.

[Scout]

135. well maybe she should have cooperated, signed the ticket and gone on her

way. don't argue with a cop, ignore their instructions, and them dare them to taser you.

stupid woman, she could have just signed the damn ticket and then fought it in court, but no, she had to be an asshole, and then LIE about it when it was all on film.

notice she clammed right up about her behavior once the video was released.

[MercutioATC]

139. Ever been shocked (by anything)?

The vocalization is normal..but the actual pain is still relatively minor and temporary.

[JonLP24]

111. I broke down and watch the video based on the several accusations

She clearly said 'give me the paper and I'll sign it' whether she refused to before hand is not clear from the video. He grabs her and throws her a couple times so those worrying about broken bones he could've done it doing that. When he did display the cuffs, she DID not knock them down, she flunger her arm away from his control and the officer threw the cuffs HIMSELF. It is very clear. He shoves her again and engages the tazer. He shoves her atleast twice before the tazer so he could've easily grabbed her hands and cuffed them. Those worrying about broken bones fail to realize he already shoved her.

[lefty2000]

129. Taser Is Torture

Abe Lincoln said: "Most men can withstand adversity, but if you would test a man's character, give him power."

Using severe pain to force compliance is torture. To have the power to inflict pain on a smaller, helpless person who is mocking one's authority is a temptation too great for most people to resist. It is a sad fact of human nature and putting on a badge does not change one's character. You are still the same person, but now you have power.

[MercutioATC]

140. ...except Tasers don't cause "severe pain"...

Minor pain, very temporary.

I know. When I worked for a Sheriff's Office, I was tased.

[lefty2000]

144. Glad to hear it!

But can you name something that you would consider comparable in severity that most people might have experienced? I am not anxious to try it in order to find out.

[sarcasmo]

133. This story made the local evening news here in West Michigan.