A man from Georgia has brought a legal case against a police officer in Gwinnett County following an incident that resulted in severe brain damage during a police encounter on October 21, 2021. The incident took place in Duluth, Georgia, when Angelo Black, a passenger in a pulled-over vehicle, had a distressing run-in with the police, primarily involving Officer Chase Weber.
The legal action was initiated on October 11 and claims that Black's vehicle was stopped due to a faulty taillight. Instead of issuing a ticket, the police took the driver out and confined him in a police cruiser. Black attempted to flee when the officers started searching him. Weber pursued him and deployed a Taser, causing Black to fall from a ledge onto the ground, resulting in significant head injuries.
According to the lawsuit obtained by Atlanta Black Star, the legal document states that Weber's use of the Taser on Black, while he was in midair, caused the injuries. The lawsuit further argues that Weber was aware or should have been aware of the potential harm that could result from the use of the Taser.
Black's attorney, Harry M. Daniels, highlighted that the use of stun guns when a suspect is in an elevated position is strictly prohibited due to the risk of severe injuries upon falling. Daniels strongly criticized Weber's actions, emphasizing the recklessness and danger associated with the misuse of Tasers by law enforcement officers.
Reginald Greene, another attorney representing Black, added that incidents like these perpetuate the fear among Black men that encounters with law enforcement could lead to serious harm or even death. Black suffered skull and brain injuries and continues to experience ongoing emotional distress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While the Gwinnett County Police Department declined to comment due to ongoing litigation, they provided their Taser policy, which highlights the importance of avoiding Taser deployment in situations where a fall could result in more serious injuries. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages against the officer to address his alleged reckless and fraudulent conduct.
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