A federal jury ruled that CMPD Officer Forbes used excessive force when he fired a taser on 21-year old La'Reko Williams a second time, causing his death in 2011. The jury also awarded the victim's family $500,000, but no award for punitive damages. [SOURCE]
La'Reko Williams |
The big question in this case was whether the second time Officer Forbes used his taser on Williams was excessive force.
David Ventura, one of the lawyers representing the family, says the jury's decision sends a strong message.
"Tasers have to be used reasonably like any other use of force," Ventura says. "Reasonably meaning based on the circumstances of what is happening at the time, whether it's a taser or any other type of weapon that they have available to them."In a statement, city attorney Bob Hagemann says the city believes Officer Forbes acted reasonably in a very difficult situation, but respects the jury's decision. Someone needs to remind Hagemann that the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. The jury didn't think Forbes "acted reasonably". Otherwise they wouldn't have ruled against him!
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