Man with broken back tasered 19 times.

[FeatsofClay]

http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/52867.html

http://www.ky3.com/home/video/25829234.html

Parents question why Ozark police used stun gun on injured son
by Sara Sheffield, KY3 News


Video OZARK, Mo. -- A family from Branson wants answers about what happened to their son that left him hospitalized. Early Saturday morning, police found Mace Hutchinson, 16, underneath the Highway F overpass over U.S. 65.
Mace ended up in intensive care at a hospital. His parents believe the actions of Ozark police officers contributed to his injuries and slowed doctors’ abilities to speed his recovery.

“We called the police. My wife was afraid he was going to get ran over or hit,” said witness Doug Messersmith.

Messersmith and his wife were the last known people to see 16-year-old boy walking, shortly before their phone call to 911.

“He looked a little agitated but, other than that, he didn't look to be falling down drunk or anything like that,” he said.

By the time officers arrived, the teen was off the 30-foot overpass, lying on the shoulder below along U.S. 65, with no good explanation as to how he got there.

“According to the doctors, all injuries are consistent with a fall,” said his aunt, Samantha.

Mace's dad believes it was just that, a fall, not a jump. The question is why.

“They tested his system. He was clean of drugs and alcohol. We don't know why unless just being in shock and the whole thing in itself caused him to forget everything,” said Hutchinson.

His aunt says he is undergoing major surgery for a broken back and broken heel. While he was lying on the ground, she wonders why Ozark police used an electric stun gun on him up to 19 times.

“I'm not an officer, but i don't see the reason for ‘Tasering’ somebody laying there with a broken back. I don't consider that a threat,”

His dad says the use of the stun gun delayed what would have been immediate surgery by two days.

“The ‘Tasering’ increased his white blood cell count and caused him to have a temperature so they could not go into the operation.”

“He refused to comply with the officers and so the officers had to deploy their Tasers in order to subdue him. He is making incoherent statements; he's also making statements such as, ‘Shoot cops, kill cops,’ things like that. So there was cause for concern to the officers,” said Ozark Police Capt. Thomas Rousset.

Police say although there are several unanswered questions; the reason for the use of a stun gun is not one of them.

“It's a big concern for the officers to keep this guy out of traffic, to keep him from getting hurt,” said Rousset.

Mace was still in intensive care on Wednesday night, listed in fair condition. He was scheduled for surgery again on Thursday. The family, along with the Ozark Police Department, hopes someone will see this report and come forward with some information. You can call (417) 699-4789 with information or call the Ozark Police Department.


Lying on the ground not moving he was tasered 19 times! Holy shit! And there seems to be no investigation or alam form the cops.

[Sobek]

the officers had to deploy their Tasers in order to subdue him
Um... Broken back. How much more fucking subdued did they want him?

Fuck! Spinal injuries are very time-sensitive. Those assholes could have put this kid in a wheel chair.

[Name Lips]

Maybe I could grant their explanations for tasering him once. Maybe. Maybe.

But who the fuck tasers somebody nineteen times? Even if they're a drug-crazed lunatic playing chainsaw-pinata with a dangling baby?

[PWD]

That'll learn him to stand up all straight-backed when there's police around!

[Freedom Canadian]

Just a wild guess, but maybe the police didn't know his back was broken at the time they tasered him.

Not that I think tasing a dude 19 times is a good idea or anything...

[Lady Fury]

WTF? That is so messed up. Why are the cops allowed to taser any one that many times? You'd think 3 or 4 times max would get the job done.

[Kilmore]

Maybe one of the cops knew him?

"Hey, look! It's Mace!"
"Mace!!"
"Look out! He's got some mace!"
"He's got a mace?"

zzzt zzzt zzzzzzt pop crackle zzzt zzzzzt bzzzt sizzle sizzle...

[Freedom Canadian]

Why are the cops allowed to taser any one that many times?

That question is totally meaningless in the context of law enforcement. Maybe we should discuss the Use of Force model some time.

I do question the sanity of people who would believe that it would work the 19th time when it didn't work the first 18 (as an aside, he was tasered "up to 19 times", wtf does that even mean ?)

I also think US cops are so fearful now that they turn trigger-happy and the taser being gun-shaped does not help, psychologically. If it was shaped like, say, a dildo, they'd use it less often.

[Freedom Canadian]

Okay, I found a news site with less biased information.

Ozark officers use Taser on teen
By: Chris J. Cluck, CCH staff writer chrisc@cpimo.com
07/30/2008
Updated 07/31/2008 10:15:32 AM CDT


A Branson teen is recovering from injuries he received July 19 after mysteriously falling from an overpass bridge on F Highway over U.S. 65 Highway and being subdued by police officers using tasers.

Mace Hutchinson, 17, received a broken back and fractured heel from the fall and his mother is still unsure how the incident occurred.

"They say he's going to be OK," Stephanie Hutchinson said about her son, who was 16 when the incident occurred. "We're really glad he's OK and he's lucky. We still don't know how he got off the bridge."

What is known is that a couple driving southbound noticed a man running east on F Highway toward the overpass who appeared "drunk or high because he was stumbling," according to the police report. The man ran up to the passenger side of the minivan the couple was in and struck the glass.

The couple then called 911 and Ozark police responded to check the well being of the man, the report said. Before police could arrive, a second 911 call came into Ozark dispatch reporting a man lying on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of U.S. 65 Highway, the police report said.

When police arrived, they found Mace Hutchinson "yelling incoherently and (he) began to stand up in a motion toward the lanes of traffic," the report said. After several attempts, the report said one officer used his taser to subdue Hutchinson to keep him from entering traffic on U.S. 65 Highway.

A second officer used his taser on the teenager after he continued to resist and attempt to get up and move toward the lanes of traffic.

Ozark Police Chief Lyle Hodges said one officer activated a taser 10 times and a second officer activated his taser nine times.

"We go by active resistance, not just a simple refusal to comply," Hodges said of his department's policy governing taser use. "That's why a taser was used in the first place-the taser wouldn't have been deployed if the officer didn't think the young man's life was in danger. And the incident all took place over a period of 96 seconds."

Stephanie Hutchinson said her son told her he had gotten into an argument with a friend in a parking lot just east of the F Highway overpass. She said she didn't know who the friend was or his name, but that the two were supposed to share a motel room in Springfield to celebrate her son's 17th birthday.

"He remembers walking up to the bridge," Stephanie Hutchinson said. "But he doesn't remember anything else until he was tasered."

Stephanie Hutchinson claims her son was not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs the night of the incident, but did admit the hospital told her a "trace" of marijuana was found in her son's system.

Hodges said no charges were filed, that officers only responded to a check well being call that turned into a medical call. Despite what police say her son's behavior was that night, Stephanie Hutchinson claims the police went overboard.

"I think they tried to kill him," Stephanie Hutchinson said. "With 19 tases, that's not even giving him a chance. I feel like this is something that should be investigated."

Hodges said an internal review is currently being conducted on the two officers involved and is initiated every time a taser is used.


©Ozarks Newsstand 2008

So, the tasers were used 19 times. How many of them hit ?

Also, he wasn't lying down, but actually standing up and stumbling towards traffic. Yet they were supposed to know he had a broken back. Mmh, interesting.

And there is an internal investigation being conducted on the incident.

You'd think the reporter would have included that information if he was interested in delivering information and not an anti-police agenda.

As an aside, it's a little known truth that tasers are often used to prevent suicidal people from killing themselves. It's, in fact, undeniable that they have saved more lives than they took, so far.

I also want to comment this part:

"We go by active resistance, not just a simple refusal to comply," Hodges said of his department's policy governing taser use.

That's a pretty soft policy by american standards. Most american PDs DO permit an officer to use a taser on someone who refuses to comply in some situations.

Personally, I totally oppose using the taser to force compliance when there is no threat. This case is not so clear case. It could be abuse or not. I'd need more facts and less spin to form a coherent opinion.

[Varaj]

Was the taser in stun drive mode? If they were using stun drive mode to get compliance it is used more often than if the taser is in stun mode since stun drive doesn't disable the person.

Without more information I can't judge but my internal bias is to always side with the cops until I have solid information otherwise.

[Harry]

All of this stinks to high heaven. There's a lot more going on that the boy's family isn't letting on. They keep pushing the part that he wasn't drunk. The second report does make a lot more sense, and I'm wondering if there is more. There's gotta be a dash cam shot.

Btw, why the hell were the parents letting him wander around like that at that age anyways. Letting him plan his 17th birthday party at a motel? Bizarre, allowing a 16yo that kind of latitude.

[Megamieuwsel]

Maybe they should start tasering cops as a requirement before being allowed to wield a taser? (If this already is the case; Good.)

And Harry: 16 years is "old enough"to be trusted with all kinds of lethal weaponry (cars and guns, for example) but having a party outside the parental home is "out of line"?
Dude: Your priorities are TOTALLY FUCKED-UP!

Now, there's the little bit about there being "traces of Marihuana" in the kid's blood, that is more worrying; When there's THC in your blood, the only anesthetic(sp? I mean: sedation before operating one) is....

Heroin.

Nothing else will work.(I speak from experience...:( )

I am not very succeptible to addictions (save for tobacco...) but I know a host of people, who are not that lucky an can end up with a nasty addiction after just one shot. I hope this guy has enough proverbial spine to dodge that one.

[Sobek]

Okay. The article FC posted changes my opinion considerably. Who knows how the kid fell, but he was at least punch-drunk when the cops got there.

[The Winslow]

Now, there's the little bit about there being "traces of Marihuana" in the kid's blood, that is more worrying; When there's THC in your blood, the only anesthetic(sp? I mean: sedation before operating one) is....

Heroin.

Nothing else will work.(I speak from experience...:( )

Maybe they could taser him into unconsciousness instead?

[Freedom Canadian]

Maybe they should start tasering cops as a requirement before being allowed to wield a taser? (If this already is the case; Good.)

It's usually a requirement, yes, but not quite always.


Maybe they could taser him into unconsciousness instead?

A taser does not work that way except in movies. It causes pain and loss of muscle control while the shock lasts and won't usually cause unconsciousness no matter how many discharges you apply to the client (;)).

They could whack him upside the head with a club, though. That might work.

[Edena_of_Neith]

If there was *just cause*, one taser shot would have disabled the kid (one taser shot would disable a large man.)
19 shots?

And they wonder why I say our culture is a violent one? LOL.

[cyphersmith]

Was the taser in stun drive mode? If they were using stun drive mode to get compliance it is used more often than if the taser is in stun mode since stun drive doesn't disable the person.

Without more information I can't judge but my internal bias is to always side with the cops until I have solid information otherwise.

If there was *just cause*, one taser shot would have disabled the kid (one taser shot would disable a large man.)
19 shots?

And they wonder why I say our culture is a violent one? LOL.

Hmm, Edena, I think that the answer to your question is right there.

[Name Lips]

They said the tazers were discharged 19 times, and that the victim was hit "up to" 19 times. Nobody seems to have any clue how many times he was actually tazed.

[Edena_of_Neith]

I'm one of those Americans who believes in violence as a last resort, so this whole thing nauseates me.

[FeatsofClay]

I'm one of those Americans who believes in violence as a last resort, so this whole thing nauseates me.

Believe it or not, so were the inventors of the taser.

Non-lethal force, for all it's dillemas, is USUALLY accompanied by TWO sides arguing over who was right. This beats the hell out of a coffin, an accused and a jury.

And yes, even when people die it is considered non-lethal force. :)

[Harry]

And Harry: 16 years is "old enough"to be trusted with all kinds of lethal weaponry (cars and guns, for example) but having a party outside the parental home is "out of line"?
Dude: Your priorities are TOTALLY FUCKED-UP!

How many 16 year olds do you actually know? I know quite a few, and hardly any of them can be trusted to do the right thing between school and home, much less at an over night unsupervised birthday party at a hotel.

[FeatsofClay]

How many 16 year olds do you actually know? I know quite a few, and hardly any of them can be trusted to do the right thing between school and home, much less at an over night unsupervised birthday party at a hotel.

Remember, HJ, he kows non-American 16 year olds. Where alcohol becomes available earlier, birth control is freely available, drugs are more tolerated and fewer folks kill themselves with all of these toys than they do here. (Although I suspect part of that is better oublic transport)

Not American 16 year olds, which are basically European 13 year olds, with an attitude, and 30 extra lbs.

[Freedom Canadian]

And yes, even when people die it is considered non-lethal force. :)

Actually, the fashionable new terminology is "less lethal weapons". :)

[FeatsofClay]

Actually, the fashionable new terminology is "less lethal weapons". :)

It has been a few years since I was involved in any of the fields centered around thumping and quelling. And it is a field where the vocab changes with the damned seasons. :)

Thanks for the update. :)

[Megamieuwsel]

Remember, HJ, he kows non-American 16 year olds. Where alcohol becomes available earlier
"Light" alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and pre-bottled "girly" cocktails(aren't ALL cocktails girly?...) like "Martini Breezer" at age 16, the tougher stuff like Whisky, rum, wodka, etc at 18. Gives them kids a chance to master their "booze-control" before they're allowed to drive a car(age 18, IF they manage to get their licence.))
, birth control is freely available
True, but I don't really see how that's got anything to do with the issue., drugs are more tolerated
More or less; Cannabis and xtc are somewhat tolerated . The rest is still heavily frowned upon.
and fewer folks kill themselves with all of these toys than they do here. (Although I suspect part of that is better public transport)
Nope: PT is degrading pretty fast here, due to it being handed over to corporate shills. Overall my guess is that due to later allowance to (motorised) vehicles, kids get a tad more mature start.(But the roads are still crowded with idiots...) Not American 16 year olds, which are basically European 13 year olds, with an attitude, and 30 extra lbs.
My prejudices tend to agree with that part, but since I have no real material for comparison(save from equally biased sources in the news and on the 'Net) I'll refrain from endorsing the statement.
And for Harry's information: I know lots of kids in the 14-18 years-range.
I wish, I didn't.....
Irritating brats...