Fair Haven Police Chief: Okay to Taser Intoxicated Asthma Attack Sufferer

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:42 AM EDT

Article Source: The Boston Globe

health, police, civil-rights, drunk, illness, vermont, asthma, alcoholism, tasers, disabilities, liberties, taser-watch, intoxicated, asthma-attack, taserings, delfenthal, fair-haven, william-humphries

Seeded by Digits

FAIR HAVEN, Vt.—After an internal review, Fair Haven Police Chief William Humphries says he is satisfied with officers' decision to use a Taser to subdue a man who was charged with disorderly conduct and assaulting a police officer during a medical call.

Police say they were responding to a call to assist James K. Delfenthal, 46, who was suffering from an asthma attack on Aug. 2 when he became uncooperative.

Authorities say a Fair Haven Police officer injured his hand and an emergency technician sprained his knee trying to restrain Delfenthal, who police say was drunk.

But Delfenthal does not think his actions warranted multiple jolts from a Taser.

He is seeking a lawyer for a possible civil suit against the town.

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Groups: Activism, Our Orwellian World, Police Brutality & Impropriety, RightsVine, TaserWatch
Regions: Burlington/Plattsburgh, Boston

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{"commentId":2414062,"authorDomain":"digits"}

Digits

But Delfenthal does not think his actions warranted multiple jolts from a Taser.

It was a medical call. If the man did not want to cooperate - for his asthma to be helped - then how is it the police were able to *force* him by way of taser?

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2 votes

#1 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:45 AM EDT

{"commentId":2414107,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Sue the bastards! Thanks for the link Dig. Mike's got a humdinger that I just linked onto. Check it out. So he was having an astma attack. Hmmm. Well I'm asthmatic. I have puffers (inhalers) all over my home. 2 spares in my medial box. Repeat prescriptions and in my handbags. I NEVER LEAVE home without one. And don't know the real medical implications in regards to being tasered with illnesses. But I'm catching up with my Doc at then end of this month. And I'm going to ask him now. Never thought of it before. But it seems to me that Tasers are the main health problem. Outlaw them!!!

{"commentId":2414107,"threadId":"329068","contentId":"1736139","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

3 votes

#1.1 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:55 AM EDT

{"commentId":2414132,"authorDomain":"digits"}

Digits

Sedekka - Thanks for your support in this! :) I think I'll be trying to initiate a TaserWatch Discussion for this one as well.

{"commentId":2414132,"threadId":"329068","contentId":"1736139","authorDomain":"digits"}

2 votes

#1.2 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:03 AM EDT

{"commentId":2414519,"authorDomain":"sedekka"}

Sedekka

Cheers Dig. Anytime. Unfortunately it needs to be said. And acted upon.

{"commentId":2414519,"threadId":"329068","contentId":"1736139","authorDomain":"sedekka"}

2 votes

#1.3 - Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:57 AM EDT

{"commentId":2461004,"authorDomain":"kimberly-wells"}

3kyw4law

I'm all for taser usage but not in cases like this. They should be used when necessary - only when necessary - on criminals.

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#2 - Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:18 AM EDT

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Fair Haven Police Chief: Okay to Taser Intoxicated Asthma Attack Sufferer

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