Man stunned by deputies in his bedroom gets $380,000

Here's the lesson: anyone can be tasered, even you!

Skip Torrance is a commercial banker with no criminal record. He has committed no crime. He was not drunk. He's not on drugs. He left a restaurant one night, stubbed his toe, muttered a curse, and then went home to bed. Later, he is rudely awoken by Deputies Jose Pelayo and Jason Mann, who reportedly fail to properly identify themselves, at his bedside in the dark. Next thing - he's tasered. ...

Deputies arrested Torrance anyway... Orange County prosecutors later declined to criminally charge Torrance with resisting a peace officer, citing ...idiot deputies I have to deal with... insufficient evidence.

Torrance sues, and is awarded $380,000. The county of Orange paid $300,000, while the city of Laguna Beach paid $80,000.[LINK]

The sheriff's department, in a statement, said it "...has conducted an extensive review of policy, procedure and training in all areas of Sheriff's operations including Fourth Amendment search and seizure requirements and the use of the electronic control device," since the September 2008 incident. "The department has also implemented systems of review and accountability, which include the timely review of critical incidents, the identification of related issues or concerns, and the implementation of immediate corrective action where necessary."

That's their way of saying, 'sorry'.

$380,000 seems low. But on the other hand, it's enough to move into a nicer house. Or retire early. So perhaps not too bad.

--

I seriously doubt that the police would have fired their gun in these circumstances.

I also seriously doubt that the police would have beaten Mr. Torrance with a club in these circumstances.


Somehow, it's just the taser that comes with inadequate guidance relative to the abusive electro-torture and the risk of death or other risks.