In perhaps one of the most bizarre and shocking stories to come out lately about police violence, a Texas man is now permanently brain damaged after he was repeatedly tased him while handcuffed and having a seizure.
Austin police arrived at the home of Scott Sheeley last November after receiving a call requesting medical assistance. Once there, police used pain compliance techniques including a taser to get Sheeley under control.
But it doesn't stop there.
Once paramedics arrived, Sheeley was administered two drugs that are usually used to treat psychotic disorders and have been known to cause cardiac arrest and sudden death. Sheeley then had a heart attack. It took paramedics 11 minutes to revive him.
As a result, Sheeley claims he suffers from several ailments including continued cardiac arrest, respitory arrest, brain injury, and loss of vision. He is currently seeking $1.5 million dollars for emotional distress and anguish and medical bills.
While many would have us believe that such interactions between police and ordinary citizens are few and far between, incidents of police using tasers and other weapons inappropriately seems to have become the norm here in the US. In what seems to be an attempt to foster an environment of automatic compliance, police are increasingly using pain compliance too early and to aggressively in their interactions within the community. It's an unfortunately fact that, in many cases, these officers are never held accountable for their actions are continue to serve on their forces.
As Americans, we should not fear Police. We should be able to feel secure in knowing that they will act both professionally and in our best interests when we encounter them. But that doesn't always seem to be the case and the police in many communities fear the officers who are sworn to protect them. Deaths at the hands of police are at an alarming hig and the lack of accountability for abuse is stunning.
We don't yet know how Sheeley's case will turn out but we'll follow it and continue to update you as things develop.
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