TASER Case Could Get SCOTUS Review

May 19, 2014 |

Photo: Mark W. Clark

In January 2008, a 21-year-old suspect Baron Pikes died after a confrontation with a Winnfield, La., police officer where a TASER was used to subdue him. On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States may hear the case.

The Associated Press is reporting that SCOTUS is being asked to review Pikes’ case as part of a civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of his young son against a former police officer. If the justices agree to hear the case, it would be the court’s first look at police use of stun guns after turning away appeals from both recipients of the high-voltage shocks and from police officers.

A decision on taking up the issue could come as soon as Monday.

Tags:

Comments (3)

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3
plato's playdough @ 5/20/2014 3:28 AM http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-taser_witt-web-jul19,0,2201847.story http://www.katc.com/news/la-jurors-see-video-of-man-dying-after-stun-gun/ http://www.topix.com/forum/city/winnfield-la/TDEG9LOVPL67SGDPU Knowing the names of Baron Scooter Pikes (tased) and Officer Scott Nugent who used the taser, are helpful when reading the articles. And now a small sample from the articles: Dr. Harry R. Hawthorne, cardiac specialist from Alexandria, La., said that after studying the autopsy he believed that several conditions, including high blood pressure made higher by the shocks, led to Pikes death. Under cross-examination by Jerry Glas, one of Nugent's attorneys, Hawthorne acknowledged he had no way of knowing how high Pikes' blood pressure was at any point during the ordeal. But Hawthorne denied that running from police would have increased the blood pressure to the danger level. It looks like this is not an issue with Taser products being un-safe, it is a USE or POLICY issue.
plato's playdough @ 5/20/2014 3:52 AM It appears this event happened in Louisiana, and somehow my searches found articles about "Jena Six" which happened in a Louisiana High School, with charges of attempted murder becoming related to the well-known phrase "civil rights violation." Just with a twist. I find it interesting to note the differences in presentation from various writers. http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/99999999/NEWS/70915030/Jena-Six-Page http://newsone.com/1485935/jena-6-anniversary/ http://www.colorofchange.org/blog/2012/feb/20/our-february-series-justice-jena-six-new-way-organ/ http://revcom.us/a/102/jena-story-en.html So it appears that Louisiana is a hot area, notwithstanding its climate, and I'm glad I don't live there. I just have to wonder what other factors relate to the article that I am commenting on, herein.
Tasers are deadly @ 5/22/2014 7:29 PM My opinion all police should have to go through being tassed but with 240 volts at .75 amps AC and DC have the 10 guage cable modulate between DC and AC at 60 hzt if they make it then well these tasers are safe ? Oh one leg tied to nice thick steel pole well buried in the ground too....LOL

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

plato's playdough @ 5/20/2014 3:28 AM

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-taser_witt-web-jul19,0,2201847.story

http://www.katc.com/news/la-jurors-see-video-of-man-dying-after-stun-gun/

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/winnfield-la/TDEG9LOVPL67SGDPU

Knowing the names of Baron Scooter Pikes (tased) and Officer Scott Nugent who used the taser, are helpful when reading the articles.

And now a small sample from the articles: Dr. Harry R. Hawthorne, cardiac specialist from Alexandria, La., said that after studying the autopsy he believed that several conditions, including high blood pressure made higher by the shocks, led to Pikes death.

Under cross-examination by Jerry Glas, one of Nugent's attorneys, Hawthorne acknowledged he had no way of knowing how high Pikes' blood pressure was at any point during the ordeal. But Hawthorne denied that running from police would have increased the blood pressure to the danger level.

It looks like this is not an issue with Taser products being un-safe, it is a USE or POLICY issue.

plato's playdough @ 5/20/2014 3:52 AM

It appears this event happened in Louisiana, and somehow my searches found articles about "Jena Six" which happened in a Louisiana High School, with charges of attempted murder becoming related to the well-known phrase "civil rights violation." Just with a twist. I find it interesting to note the differences in presentation from various writers.

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/99999999/NEWS/70915030/Jena-Six-Page

http://newsone.com/1485935/jena-6-anniversary/

http://www.colorofchange.org/blog/2012/feb/20/our-february-series-justice-jena-six-new-way-organ/

http://revcom.us/a/102/jena-story-en.html

**So it appears that Louisiana is a hot area, notwithstanding its climate, and I'm glad I don't live there. I just have to wonder what other factors relate to the article that I am commenting on, herein.**

Tasers are deadly @ 5/22/2014 7:29 PM

My opinion all police should have to go through being tassed but with 240 volts at .75 amps AC and DC have the 10 guage cable modulate between DC and AC at 60 hzt if they make it then well these tasers are safe ? Oh one leg tied to nice thick steel pole well buried in the ground too....LOL

Join the Discussion

Name *

E-Mail *

Message *

Post a comment

POLICE Magazine does not tolerate comments that include profanity, personal attacks or antisocial behavior (such as "spamming" or "trolling"). This and other inappropriate content or material will be removed. We reserve the right to block any user who violates this, including removing all content posted by that user.

Yes! Please rush me my FREE TRIAL ISSUE of POLICE magazine and FREE Officer Survival Guide with tips and tactics to help me safely get out of 10 different situations.

Just fill in the form to the right and click the button to receive your FREE Trial Issue.

If POLICE does not satisfy you, just write "cancel" on the invoice and send it back. You'll pay nothing, and the FREE issue is yours to keep. If you enjoy POLICE, pay only $25 for a full one-year subscription (12 issues in all). Enjoy a savings of nearly 60% off the cover price!

Offer valid in US only. Outside U.S., click here.

It's easy! Just fill in the form below and click the red button to receive your FREE Trial Issue.
First Name:	Last Name:
Rank:	Agency:
Address:	City:
State:	Zip Code:
Country:
We respect your privacy. Please let us know if the address provided is your home, as your RANK / AGENCY will not be included on the mailing label. YES, it is my home address.
E-mail Address: