Comments on: Two More Deaths from the “Non-Lethal” Taser

By: Death by Taser. | The Unspun Zone

Death by Taser. | The Unspun Zone — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:45:42 +0000

[...] Radley Balko points out that two more deaths occurred from the “non-lethal” taser. This time a man from North [...]

By: Edintally

Edintally — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:59:03 +0000

*needs to write*

(someone needs to proofread) :P

By: Edintally

Edintally — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:58:18 +0000

Here is a paper that someone needs to right:

TASER VS. HANDGUN: WHY THE TASER IS MORE DEADLY

This paper will ask several questions:

Does the use of a taser on the human body cause the same basic damage to everyone and does that damage affect everyone in the same way?

Does a bullet hitting a human body cause the same basic damage and does that damage affect everyone in the same way?

Handgun

The mechanism for causing damage, the bullet, does not cause consistent damage every time it is fired and hits a human target. Damage occurs to specific body parts which may or may not have a lethal effect. The accuracy of the officer shooting is one mechanism which may increase or decrease lethality. However, given the stressful environment of police encounters, chance is certainly a factor as it relates to accuracy such that an officer may or may not hit the exact spot he/she is aiming for. Diminished accuracy in hitting a lethal spot on the body, diminishes the overall lethality of the bullet.

Taser

The mechanism for causing damage remains consistent as long as the prongs attach themselves to the skin. The same dosage of electricity will be delivered to the human body regardless of where the electricity enters the body. The lethality of the weapon is directly related to a persons overall health. Some people will seize up and fall to the ground with no lasting effects. Some will seize up and possibly cause injury to themselves either when they fall or possibly when muscle contractions are so violent they cause short term damage to the body. Still others may die as a result of the shock to the heart or due to a complication with an ongoing ailment.

In the first case, the bullet, lethality increases or decreases based on officer accuracy, proficiency, and stress factors. In the second case, the taser, the lethality depends on the person being electrocuted and is not under the officers control except as it relates to hitting and missing.

Someone feel free to run with this :)

By: the friendly grizzly

the friendly grizzly — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:57:36 +0000

I wonder if the world of electro-shock devices has the equivalent of gunsmiths. Gunsmiths can take a good firearm and make it better. Perhaps a Taser-smith can, well, shall we say, increase the capacity a little bit to make it a better weapon?

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:58:03 +0000

Modern-day legal torture device.

By: claude

claude — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:37:11 +0000

“He did not refuse to cooperate, he was unable to due to being dead.”

I really dont think the officers would consider that an acceptable excuse for not obeying their every order, command, whim.

By: MacK

MacK — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:41:58 +0000

Jozef, are you being facetious?

He did not refuse to cooperate, he was unable to due to being dead.

nobahdi, I was astonished that it was ruled a homicide myself, and yet they have not charged him as yet with murder.

By: TomMil

TomMil — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:38:40 +0000

The NC case appears to have more going on than just a tasering. The family alleges there was internal bleeding, knots on his head and lacerations. Could be the old fashioned police tune up not the high tech variety.

By: Michael Leatherwood

Michael Leatherwood — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:36:22 +0000

Its a well-known fact that Tasering dead bodies prevents zombies.

By: nobahdi

nobahdi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:08:13 +0000

At least in that case the officer was fired and the coroner ruled it a homicide. (We’ll see if it goes to trial)

By: Jozef

Jozef — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:58:50 +0000

MacK: He refused to cooperate with the police.

By: MacK

MacK — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:21:54 +0000

I had read that the LA taser death victim was hit at least 2 times after he was dead, and while in the backseat in handcuffs.
How much resistance was he putting up those last two times the taser was used?

By: Red Green

Red Green — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:55:39 +0000

Definition of Taser, modern day bull whip.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:26:57 +0000

As I drove home this morning listening to WBT Charlotte Morning News, newsman Al Gardner announced that the man killed with Tasers was handcuffed at the time of his death. Not good, especially coming so quickly after another Charlotte Police Department incident in which a suspect was tasered for 37 seconds.