Personal Injury Law

Ruling: Tased Man Can File Suit Against Officer

By Edward Bills

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a tennis instructor has the right to pursue damages against a Coronado, Calif. police officer for tasering him without notice in 2005. Court documents show that Officer Brian McPherson shocked Carl Bryan during a traffic stop after he became upset. The court held that ?the use of Tasers and similar devices must be justified by a strong government interest that ?compels? the employment of such force.? The court ruled that while the desire to end a tense and emotional situation was understandable, Bryan did not level a verbal or physical threat against

Full post as published by Bodily Injury Blog on December 30, 2009 (boomark / email).