Cop Tasers Unarmed Legless Man...Twice!

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP / CBS)

MERCED, Calif. (CBS/AP) A man whose legs are amputated says police used a stun gun on him twice and violently manhandled him even though he was unarmed.

Police internal affairs investigators in Merced, Calif. say they're looking into the complaint by 40-year-old Gregory Williams, who was arrested Sept. 11 on suspicion of domestic violence and resisting arrest, according to the Merced Sun-Star.

Williams and witnesses say officers tasered the wheelchair-bound man twice, then left him handcuffed on the sidewalk in broad daylight, with his pants down.

Williams spent six days in jail before prosecutors said they lacked evidence to charge him.

Merced officers said in a police report that Williams was uncooperative and refused to give his 2-year-old daughter to Child Protective Services.

The police department has declined further comment to the Associated Press, pending the internal investigation.

44 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 44 Comments


by babooph September 22, 2009 7:00 PM EDT: These arms are not toys-assault charges should be a two way street.; Reply to this comment


by legacyabq September 22, 2009 5:18 PM EDT: Im sorry but this is absolutely typical and expected behavior from american police departments,.
This happens everyday, we only heard about thgis incident because the man was in a wheelchair.

Cops routinely hurt and manhandle people for not "respectin' my uh-thor-uh-tuh"

Bleedin psychopaths is what they are.

Poor cop was afraid of un unarmed suspect so he tortured him.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TASERED?

It...is.....torture.....; Reply to this comment


by Questionews September 22, 2009 4:57 PM EDT: They could have just put one of those parking boots on his wheelchair!; Reply to this comment


by WiseWidget September 22, 2009 3:53 PM EDT: Of course, this is Bush's fault. Ever since he led our nation in the direction of becoming a Fascist Nazi Nation and destroyed the Constitution we see this kind of brutality. The police seem to think they are Gestapo agents commanded by Adolph Hitler.; Reply to this comment


by taxchurches September 22, 2009 3:51 PM EDT: In the first place, he wasn't guilty of domestic violence, he was "suspected" of domestic violence. In the second place, that's not what the cops later said in their statement, anyway; they said he was "uncoperative." The "resisting arrest" allegation is meaningless; the minute they taze you you are "resisting arrest." They haven't charged him with it, so it's nonsense.

Anyway, people have to learn to treat cops like poisonous snakes. They aren't known for their smarts, and can be at least moderately dangerous.

As for the "frustrated cop" thing, too bad. If you can't stand the heat, get into another line of work. I have no sympathy for this whining excuse.; Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 September 22, 2009 3:34 PM EDT: by writer10 September 22, 2009 3:25 PM EDT
yeah erasmus...because so many firemen carry tasers??? Don't confuse the 'some' with 'all' or include responders who don't carry weapons to their scenes - our fire/emt personnel get to respond to nasty calls w/ the thanks of getting intentionally jabbed with dirty needles, getting puked on and combative patients w/out the 'luxury' of any personal protection so don't place firemen in this story as it doesn't involve ANY firemen.

Uh HELLO?! Are you a dimwit? I was not talking about tasers. kevjustice was commenting on how many have EGOS, and my comment was in reply to that. Tell me, do you even read the posts?; Reply to this comment

by erasmus111 September 22, 2009 2:48 PM EDT

by Dunestrider September 22, 2009 1:41 PM EDT
There are four types of cops: the good cop, who honestly wants to serve and protect the community; the lazy cop, who used to care, but whose bitterness has degenerated into jaded apathy; the criminal cop, who just wants to shake down drug dealers, pimps and prostitutes for his own profit; and the insane cop, bullied as a child, and now wants to be the bully on the block, with a strong sadistic streak, where people will "RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH".

Actually, I'm thinking that there may be another kind of cop. The FRUSTRATED cop. Everything is so out of control, with all the crime, and every Tom, Dick, and Harry allowed to own a gun, that they just never know where they can expect the danger to come from. Are they going to get shot from a "criminal", or an ordinary citizen? Must be scary. I figure that eventually it gets to them, they get fed up, and they snap.

I'm not condoning their behaviour.

Reply to this comment


by DaVicar6 September 22, 2009 3:14 PM EDT: by erasmus111 "There are four types of cops:"

Actually, Rasmus, there are six types of cops.


by erasmus111 September 22, 2009 3:29 PM EDT: by DaVicar6 September 22, 2009 3:14 PM EDT
by erasmus111 "There are four types of cops:"

Actually, Rasmus, there are six types of cops.

I didn't say there were 4 types, I said there were 5 types. So what's the sixth type. I should know better than to ask. : )

by erasmus111 September 22, 2009 2:40 PM EDT

by kevjustice September 22, 2009 11:57 AM EDT
A police officer(off duty) once told me that 90% of cops are "out there because of their ego".

I don't know if that is the right percentage, but I agree. And it's the same with the firemen. I know both police officers and firemen and I have to say that the "ego" is definitely part of it for some.

Reply to this comment


by writer10 September 22, 2009 3:25 PM EDT: yeah erasmus...because so many firemen carry tasers??? Don't confuse the 'some' with 'all' or include responders who don't carry weapons to their scenes - our fire/emt personnel get to respond to nasty calls w/ the thanks of getting intentionally jabbed with dirty needles, getting puked on and combative patients w/out the 'luxury' of any personal protection so don't place firemen in this story as it doesn't involve ANY firemen.


by ToolMangler1 September 22, 2009 6:18 PM EDT: I have a former (X) son-in-law that stood 5' 4" and had a ten foot ego. Tried to tell me he was a ex-navy seal, He knew he was in trouble when I laughed in his face. He was too lightly built to pass the Physical testing and I could do 100 meters swimming in the time he could do 50.
I give him credit for not being a quitter but his lack of common sense doomed him. Like I said 'super Ego' he even tried to be a EMT but didn't make that either. I think he would have had to 'Taser' a legless man to over come him, one on one...


by Questionews September 22, 2009 2:30 PM EDT: I can't wait to see this on the fall season of C.O.P.S.!; Reply to this comment


by fleabag75 September 22, 2009 1:43 PM EDT: Oh yeah,,, right,,,,,,,,,,,, just because someone is unarmed that means the cops have to get into a physical altercation every single time? Every unarmed druggy, drunk, or just plain obnoxious slob,,, they can't taser? Sweet Jesus!!! they'll be getting into fist fights on a daily basis! Taser them! If that doesn't work, shoot them in the leg! If that still doesn't work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,; Reply to this comment