Ex-Cop May Face Taser Death Charges

Coroner Ruled Death A Homicide; Man Was Handcuffed And Jolted Nine Times, Prosecutor Says

(AP)  A grand jury in central Louisiana will consider criminal charges against a former police officer who is accused of jolting a handcuffed man nine times with a Taser before the suspect died, a prosecutor said Monday.

Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils said the grand jury was scheduled to convene Aug. 12 to begin hearing evidence in the death of Baron Pikes, 21.

Pikes was repeatedly shocked with a 50,000-volt Taser as he was arrested on a drug posession warrant on Jan. 17. A coroner ruled the death was a homicide. Former Winnfield police officer Scott Nugent has acknowledged using the device on Pikes, Nevils said.

Nugent's lawyer, Phillip Terrell, said he isn't surprised that Nevils wants a grand jury sort through the facts.

"Under the circumstances, it was not an unnecessary use of force, and he followed the protocols of the Winnfield Police Department," Terrell said of his client.

Carol Powell Lexing, a lawyer for Pikes' relatives, said the family welcomes the grand jury's probe. "That's a step in the right direction," she said.

Nevils office received a copy of a state police report Friday on Pikes' death, but he said information that his office gathered "independently" also factored into his decision to take the case to a grand jury.

Powell Lexing has accused police of trying to cover up what she called a racially motivated case of police brutality. Pikes was black; Nugent is white. Pikes fled when Nugent and another officer approached, but he didn't try to resist arrest after the officers caught up to him, according to Powell Lexing.

Winn Parish coroner Randolph Williams said all nine of the Taser shocks came after Pikes was handcuffed. He didn't have any "pain or neuromuscular response" to the last two shocks, Williams added.

"It's an indication he was physiologically unable to respond to the electroshocks," the coroner said. "I don't know that he was unconscious."

Police initially said Pikes told officers that he had asthma and had taken crack cocaine and PCP, according to Powell Lexing. However, Williams said he only found a small quantity of marijuana in Pikes' system and didn't see any evidence that he suffered from asthma.

"All of that stuff was fabricated," Powell Lexing said.

Nugent was fired in May, but is appealing.

Winnfield is about 40 miles northwest of Jena, the site of a massive civil rights protest last year. Thousands demonstrators gathered in Jena to protest the cases against six black teenagers charged with beating a white student at a high school.

Tasers are manufactured by Scottsdale-based Taser International.

[kansas1946]

Police initially said Pikes told officers that he had asthma and had taken crack cocaine and PCP, according to Powell Lexing. However, Williams said he only found a small quantity of marijuana in Pikes'' system and didn''t see any evidence that he suffered from asthma.

************************************

Well, two more victims of the drug war. The prisoner and the cop. A little marijuana in his system and now he is dead. Hm....

[shanev137]

The POS cop needs to get the death penalty.

He needs to be handcuffed and tasered continuously until he dies.

[f4ccv]

Tasers are deadly weapons.

As a person with two electrical heart conditions I fear any involvement with anyone, especially police, with tasers.

As much as we want to think that our men in blue are level-headed and practice restraint in their confrontations with citizens, they are, in fact,far too often, agressive, short-tempered and brutal.

While I may look younger and healthier than I am (62)
police do not usually ask too many questions before the strong-arm book''em, Dano attitude is employed !!

[barbaram99]

Yep. Dear that scares me and my friend. He has had 5 heart attacks and he is 56, They can be bullies. Yep ye the nail on the head. They will kill a deaf person. The sp needs. tHE SEBIORS. While punks ask for it. The taster is inhumane..I am legally blind,hearing imaiared and C/p/ They lack the medical side and are don''t right bully. Sir I hear ye.

[patriot12436]

This case is again a two edged sword. He was beig arrested on a warrant for drugs, therefore he was not an innocent victim. They said he didn''t resist after the police caught up with him so he must have run from them. I find it hard to have sympathy for a criminal. Now the other side of the story. If he was in handcuffs and not resisting what was the purpose of tazing him ? And tazing 9 times, is this not overkill ? How can this be within police guide lines. I too like to think the police do their jobs in a just manner. I also like to believe when they do not they are held accountable. I want to hear how this case comes out.

[haoli25]

Nugent needs to have that taser placed where the sun don''t shine.

[ramos937]

Nugent committed homicide. With the guy handcuffed, one or at the most two jolts were enough. Somehow, Nugent lost control of himself and used a deadly weapon to no good end. He needs to stand trial.

[carlylaine]

A majority of murderers in prison right now wanted to be cops when they grew up. How many of these sociopaths actually became cops?

I don''t trust them. They are a neccessary evil.

I wonder if Nugent would like to be tasered 9 times in a row - while in handcuffs?

[wellhell3]

If the guy was such an innocent why was there a warrant out for him? If he was such an innocent, why did he run? Even after handcuffing you still have feet, head, and arms as weapons. Whatta numb nuts to keep fighting when you''re caught!

If you want to stay alive...don''t deal drugs, don''t use drugs, and don''t fight the cops and try to kill your way out of an arrest!

[irliberal]

Cop/Nugent needs to be tasered to death. That would be justice.

[toldyouso12]

Why this cop and this case and not all the others? From people being tazed for being upset about their luggage to a preacher being tazed for a comment and a John Kerry heckler being tazed--this is getting out of hand. Police would not like it if ordinary citizens somehow started tazing each other in similar circumstances or even worse, upon their approach even if all they wanted to do was talk--began tazing them.

What if the people on each jury that keeps acquitting the cops and security guards--should all be tazed when they find those cops guiltless--just so they know what they are okaying by their votes--to be released back onto the streets?

Is this really the kind of rule that many of us want? The US is falling apart

[toldyouso12]

Posted by WellHell3 at 04:36 AM : Jul 29, 2008
But then we have the cases of hospital security guards tazing a man for talking, the same with the student who would not shut up--now WellHell3--it''s time for you to point out that if we all kept our heads down and our mouths shut and minded our own business then we would not get into trouble. Under Hitler, the German people thought the same thing. Many people do not realize that the German people were both the first and last casualties of WWII. It was their old parents, and handicapped or disabled or mentally ill or retarded relatives that the Treblinka and other mobile gas units were first tested on. (Hitler only wanted perfect Germans) That was not the only way to run afoul of the government. People who needed money became informants and lied on others to gain access to their daughters and wives and/or property--and the people they lied on were killed. This continued during the war with the SS often purging members in the ranks and their immediate families to teach lessons. Then there was the forced prostitution/rape of children and German women after the war. After the war--no one thought much or prosecuted much for a murdered German-so they were fair game to the Allies. --you either fight for justice while you still can or get it from both ends later--and if we get to later--like with the Germans--no one will have much pity for what befalls people like YOU.

[eddom949]

What this ''YOU'' stuff, and no one? Nobody is interested in ad hominem attacks. You did it, and what a hassle.

[wellhell3]

Posted by toldyouso12 at 05:35 AM : Jul 29, 2008

Strange isn''t it? I''m free in this country to do any damned thing I want to! Go anywhere I want to! Work hard and enjoy the fruits of it! Take care of my business within the laws of this country and treat my countrymen with the respect they deserve, don''t steal from them, don''t sell them drugs!

AND I''VE NEVER SEEN A TASER GUN! NEVER HAD TO RUN FROM A COP BECAUSE THEY WERE CHASING ME! AND I THOROUGHLY LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND IT''S FREEDOMS! THAT''S WHY I LIVE HERE!

[whiskyrokkr]

Sounds like he was having fun at the prisoners expense.

I too would like to think that our police are just doing their job, but it is not always so. Tasers and pepper spray can be dangerous when not used properly. All too often they are being used for "fun" and weapons of vengenge. Then it is covered up by their fellow workers. Who claim the offender was fighting too much. I am beginning to fear our government a lot.

[whiskyrokkr]

There are a lot of bad cops out there who think they can treat a person anyway they feel. Especially in Chicago.

[ofbyfor1]

While there MAY have been some reason to Taser him initially, there is NO need to Taser someone more than 2-3 times. Nothing more than some marijuana in his system, according to the coroner, puts the lie to the cops supposed belief (excuse?) that he was high on PCP and crack.

To Taser someone NINE times, while in handcuffs no less, is ridiculous.

This cop was just looking to get his nutz off. And contrary to what his lawyer says, the TV news reported that he violated EVERY policy of his dept regarding Taser use.

[rushlimpdrug]

Cops love these new tazer toys.

It is the most fun they''ve had
since the radar gun.

Of course the radar gun was no more
fun once they found out it may cause cancer.

"Don''t tazer me bro''"

[navyvet77]

Anyone who judges people by a group has a pee wit for a brain. To use one bad cop to judge the entire police force is not only wrong but is also stupid. You all love to hate a cop till ya need one.

[rytom64]

To fear our government is a smart thing. All the cops are buddies with the prosecuters and judges and will get their way more often than not. If this isn''t a time to excersise the "Right to bear arms", and overthrow the government, I don''t know when else there is a time to do that.

[rytom64]

Problem is, when you need a cop, there''s never one around. They are too busy writing speeding tickets for 10 miles over the limit. Glorified tax collectors.

[omnibus66]

The cops love their toys, and they love their power. Give them any, repeat ANY, excuse and they''ll beat the c**p out of you.

Everyone has seen the Gainesville student taser incident, and how the cops go nuts when given an excuse.

Some naive fools joke about how the kid was crying ''Don''t tase me bro'', but police brutality is never funny.

The lawlessness of the Bush administration has been a poor role model for police departments throughout this country.

[pzabbie]

Why is everyone worried about this scumbag''s " right''s"?! Drug dealing is a very profitable profession. But that profit is at the cost of many, many destroyed lives. Let him pay the price. If it deters just one person from a life of crime, it is a bargain. I say excute him on the 6:00 news. Let Dan Rather host. Then will Capital punishment be useful.

[rytom64]

That''s good GOP_forever , police brutality will keep you in line.

[six-six-seis]

Let the Piggy loose in the pen with a sign.
save the taxpayer and the environment the cost of the electric chair.

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by DaVicar2 at 08:50 AM


I like your idea,
just leave the Irish out -

[observer2020]

NAVYVET77: When you need a cop, even though you have done absolutely nothing, they treat you like a criminal--so I have absolutely no need for any of them--they''re all just school yard bullies with guns and tasers now. And this particular cop was involved in 10 of the 14 taser "incidents." Sounds to me like he''s just a tad eager with whipping out his taser. He needs serious jail time for murdering Mr. Pikes.

[hologram5]

I am all in favor of police brutality for it keeps the lower class in line.


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Posted by GOP_forever at 08:46 AM : Jul 29, 2008

That is such a snobbish pig remark. Hope you have the same issue someday. Being poor doesn''t make you any less a person. Those types of remarks and that attitude is what is making our once great country fall to its knees. You have no sense of responsibility when it comes to your own people. This is why we have homeless and starving right here in our own country. This is so wrong and an abuse of power.

[docadams3]

Seems like he should be tasered to death too.

[generey]

There are two of these taser death incidents being investigated in Charlotte NC right now, both deaths within the last month.

[xmanborg]

COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR BY THE POLICE OFFICER.

I hope his sorry *** goes to Jail for a long time. You dont need to TAZE somebody 9 times with hand cuffs on. Send the Cop to jail and let him get gang raped he deserves it.

[timdgrim]

Most cops I believe are good and fair, however, there are those with this power complex that think just because they wear a badge they can do just about what they want. You know, the George W. Bush kind of ''I''m the Decider'' complex. And the fact that this happened in Louisiana doesn''t surprise me.

[bobnjersey]

[He was beig arrested on a warrant for drugs, therefore he was not an innocent victim ... I find it hard to have sympathy for a criminal. ]
[Posted by patriot12436 at 01:43 AM : Jul 29, 2008]

how do you know he was a criminal? what type of criminal was he? was the possession charge for pounds or for marginal amounts ... how many repeat offenses did he have ... or was it only one discretion? was he guilty of the charge for which the warrant was issued? were there any extenuating circumstances that might qualify his status? is there any presumption of innocence for a potential suspect ... in the minds of a cop who is in the process of apprehending what he views as ''a criminal''? shouldn''t there be?

[Now the other side of the story. If he was in handcuffs and not resisting what was the purpose of tazing him ?]

because they could ... because they were all p!ssed off about him running, and this was a little payback for making them run after him.

[imprisonkarl]

Welcome to Louisiana.

You may now set your clocks back 100 years.

[concorde5]

Weak inferior people become police officers. This officer clearly abused his authority or he would not have been fired already. There is NO NEED to every tase someone after they are unresponsive. He tased the guy TWICE after he was not moving anymore. This cop should serve some serious time. He has absolutely no respect for human life!

[jn122736]

Anyone who judges people by a group has a pee wit for a brain. To use one bad cop to judge the entire police force is not only wrong but is also stupid. You all love to hate a cop till ya need one.
Posted by NAVYVET77 at 08:23 AM : Jul 29, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NAVYVET77;

Your name-calling insults speak more about your own intelligence, character, and integrity (or lack of), than to others.

But more to the point; While it is certainly true that not all cops abuse their authority like this, police departments, prosecutors, et al, who consistently refuse to hold the abusers responsible, are just as guilty as the abusers themselves.

This also includes AnY AND ALL cops, or regular citizens, who do not speak out against it.

[u2canb1]

Don''t charge him Bro!! Don''t charge him Bro!!!

[u2canb1]

This officer was there, you were not...
This officer is trained for all types of apprehensions,
This officer is trained to deal with all types of criminals,
This officer is trained in proper escalation of force,
This officer is trained to use a Taser,
Posted by DaVicar2

If you are saying that no Cop could ever commit a crime, be neglegent or mis-handle a SUSPECT (someone NOT convicted of anything yet), yo uare living in lala land. There IS such a thing, and this sure is IT. So why are there charges in this case if this racist cop is so innocent and just doing his job???

[u2canb1]

Here ya go - THIS police officer was trained...to...uuuhhhh, commit battery apparently..


(AP) Police stripped a New York City officer of his badge and gun Monday after a video posted on YouTube showed him body-checking a bicyclist who was part of a Times Square demonstration.
The video was recorded Friday at the Critical Mass ride, a monthly protest of urban reliance on motor vehicles.
The video, posted anonymously, shows the officer standing in the street as bikes whiz past. He moves toward a cyclist and violently knocks him to the ground in front of crowds of people.
The officer in the video was placed on desk duty pending the outcome of a police department investigation, chief police spokesman Paul Browne said. The officer''s name wasn''t released.

Fry the jerk.

[rudy654-2009]

There is a psychological problem of power that police officers have to be careful of. That sense of power over another person can lead to all kinds of abuse when unchecked. This officer was obviously getting turned on by giving these tazer shots. It is the same kind of feeling the rapist has over his defenseless victims.

[rudy654-2009]

This cop should serve some serious time. He has absolutely no respect for human life!


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Posted by concorde5 at 11:13 AM

How about the death penalty?

[allurfears]

It''s a police state "my friends." The police protect the government and the government protects the police. Try to exercise your constitutional rights as a citizen and you''ll find that they exist in print only.

In reality, this country is becoming like Russia and China. They have nice laws and Constitutions that supposedly elaborate and protect citizen''s rights, but the government just ignores it. Welcome to the REAL America- land of the privileged and home of the underclass.

[ofbyfor1]

This officer was there, you were not...
This officer is trained for all types of apprehensions,
This officer is trained to deal with all types of criminals,
This officer is trained in proper escalation of force,
This officer is trained to use a Taser,

This officer put his life on the line every time he put that badge on, and he made decisions according to his training and experience, with the goal of serving and protecting the people of New Orleans!

PEER EH UHD ! ! !

Posted by DaVicar2 at 10:22 AM : Jul 29, 2008

Sorry, but ''the officer'' was obviously a ''bad apple''; according to his own department (TV news) he violated ''every procedudure'' for operating a Taser.

People like you who are all too happy to accept a ''bad apple''s'' way of seeing things scare me. Will you have that attitude if the gov''t attempts to pull an unconstitutional deal of martial law against us?

[barbaram99]

toldyouso..thank ye..ye is right. It is the elders/seniors,us handicapped,anyone that can''t fit in their sick world.. Let not forget the asre in Germary got his ideas from America..Bush''s grandpa supported the nazi party. Yep. As a Mainer in Seattle I know he has a house up there and ye put THEM in office.This was a graet nation years ago.

[honestabe8]

I hear cops do well in prison. Good luck, cop.

[spredbury]

This officer was there, you were not...
This officer is trained for all types of apprehensions,
This officer is trained to deal with all types of criminals,
This officer is trained in proper escalation of force,
This officer is trained to use a Taser,

This officer put his life on the line every time he put that badge on, and he made decisions according to his training and experience, with the goal of serving and protecting the people of New Orleans!


Any one who believes the above *** deserves the government and police departments they get. Every day I read about another cop gone bad; another person killed by cops who think they are all mighty. Go to USAtoday and read about the Minniapolis MN SWAT team that busted into the wrong house, shot it up, and they tried to charge the man who lived there when the man tried to defend his family from what he thought was a robbery. No charges against the cops; they got awards for professionalism. Can you believe that, the chief of police gave them an award. The cops in this country have gotten out of hand. They think they are above the law and can do what ever they want by defending themselves by saying "I feared for my life". I say bull SXXX!!!