Court upholds ruling: Tasers kill

Taser International "...knew its weapon could kill..."

A legal blow to the maker of Tasers as controversy grows over the weapon's safety.
Taser International lost its appeal Tuesday in the most costly case against the company to date. Last summer, a jury awarded the family of Darryl Turner, who died after being tasered, $10 million, ruling that TASER knew its weapon could kill and did not properly warn police.
On appeal, the U.S. District Court Western District of N. Carolina Charlotte Division ruled in favor of the plaintiff on all objections, but did rule the damage award “excessive" and reduced it in half to $5 million. "This is a huge victory for safety," said plaintiff attorney John Burton, "…and people concerned that this device is being given to police with false assurances of its safety." Burton added, "The judge viewed the evidence and said the jury was justified in its conclusion." Dr. Douglas Zipes, an electrophysiologist who testified for the plaintiff that Tasers could kill, said the reduction of the award was fair, and that the court's ruling "totally vindicates what we said, that Taser causes sudden death and the judge accepts that concept." There has been no comment yet from Taser International. ... MORE-> [LINK]