Former Michigan Trooper Charged with Murder in Vehicle Pursuit Death of Teen

A former Michigan State Police trooper is facing a murder charge in the death of a 15-year-old boy whose ATV crashed after he was shot with a Taser while fleeing from police.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the actions of former Trooper Mark Bessner caused Damon Grimes to crash into a parked truck in Detroit on Aug. 26.

“Trooper Bessner unnecessarily deployed his Taser at Mr. Grimes without legal justification or excuse as Mr. Grimes was traveling at least 35 to 40 miles per hour,” she said.

Worthy said Bessner, 43, who resigned shortly after the incident, is charged with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the Detroit Free Press reports.