Sep 2, 2008 8:20 pm US/Eastern
Group Protests Use Of Tasers Following Death
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Protesters are calling for action after several recent incidents involving police using tasers.
The group "Black & White Reunion" is angry about the death of Andre Thomas.
Thomas, 37, died at UPMC Braddock Hospital last month -- not long after a Swissvale policeman used a taser gun on him, because he was allegedly acting erratically and screaming.
In another incident nearly two weeks ago, Pittsburgh Police tased Jason Schmit four times after he struggled with officers while over-dosed on drugs. He ended up in a medically-induced coma at Allegheny General Hospital.
Police officers have a different take on all this. In fact they believe these tasers save lives, and they point to a recent incident in Sharpsburg Saturday night.
Police say Charles Harris shot a man at an apartment complex, ran a few blocks where he was cornered by police with his gun drawn.
Two police officers moved in behind the suspect, tasered him twice and grabbed his gun.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala has appointed a taser committee. They are looking into the physical effects of the use of taser. However, several different law enforcement officials say that under no circumstances at this time there will be a county-wide ban on tasers.
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