NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 13, 2008
Ex-Police Officer Indicted In Taser Death
Former Louisiana Police Officer Accused Of Repeatedly Jolting Handcuffed Man
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(AP / CBS)
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The Winn Parish grand jury also indicted former Winnfield police officer Scott Nugent on a charge of malfeasance in office stemming from the Jan. 17 death of Baron Pikes, 21.
Pikes was shocked nine times with a 50,000-volt Taser as he was arrested on a drug possession warrant in January, authorities said. Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils said Nugent broke the law when he "unnecessarily" used the Taser on Pikes multiple times and failed to get him medical attention "when it was apparent he needed it."
"In a civilized society, abuse by those who are given great authority cannot be tolerated," Nevils said in a statement.
Nugent, who is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 21, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of the manslaughter charge. The malfeasance charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Nugent was fired but is appealing his dismissal. Phillip Terrell, Nugent's lawyer, has said his client followed department protocols and didn't use excessive force.
After the panel's decision, Terrell said the grand jury has only heard prosecutors' side of the story. "It now comes time for us to be able to present our side of the story," he said.
Since the grand jury's decision Wednesday, Terrell said Nugent had surrendered to sheriff's deputies and was booked on the two charges. He was released from jail after posting $45,000 bond, Terrell said.
The parish's coroner, Dr. Randolph Williams, ruled in June that Pikes' death was a homicide. Williams said he consulted with two other coroners, and both agreed that Pikes died of cardiac arrest caused by the Taser shocks.
Terrell disagreed with the coroner's conclusion but said he hasn't pinpointed the cause of death. "We haven't been allowed to see the autopsies yet," he said.
Carol Powell Lexing, a lawyer for Pikes' family, called the indictments "just one step toward justice."
Anger over Pikes' death has threatened to inflame racial tensions in Winnfield, where the population of roughly 5,800 is evenly divided between black and white residents. Pikes was black; Nugent is white.
The episode also has drawn comparisons to the so-called "Jena Six" case, which thrust a neighboring city in the national spotlight.
Winnfield is about 40 miles northwest of Jena, the site of a massive civil rights protest last year. Thousands of demonstrators gathered there to protest criminal cases against six black teenagers charged with beating a white student at a high school.
State Sen. Gerald Long, a Winnfield native and third cousin of legendary former Gov. Huey Long, expressed confidence that community leaders won't allow the fallout from Pikes' death to divide the city along racial lines.
"We pray that it will not become a spectacle comparable to what took place in Jena," Long said. "Is it an explosive situation that can create a backlash? Sure, but that's not what I see."
Lawrence Spikes, a minister who ran unsuccessful campaigns for mayor of Winnfield in 2002 and 2006, said Pikes' death reinforces his view that abuse of power is a persistent problem in the city.
"This has been going on for a while," said Spikes, who is black. "It's not just blacks being abused. It's whites being abused, too."
On Monday, the mother of Pikes' 4-year-old son filed a wrongful-death suit in federal court against city officials, Nugent and Taser International. The suit accuses city officials of civil rights violations in Pikes' death.
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See all 83 CommentsI worked as a bounty hunter in Shreveport for 6 years. I have nothing but respect for the officers i worked with. TWO died in the line of duty from scum factor they were protecting the public from during the time i worked in this area.
We already have that situation, i would rather have the killer cop.
HOw true!!!!
There you have it from the defense. Department protocol is to zap the guy 9 times with 50,000volts, and excessive force does not include murdering someone with a taser.
No tasers, eh?
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Posted by DaVicar2 at 12:17 PM : Aug 14, 2008
No because common sense and good training has proven to be a much more effective.
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- - - Terrell disagreed with the coroner''''s conclusion but said he hasnt pinpointed the cause of death. "We havent been allowed to see the autopsies yet," he said.
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Posted by DaVicar2 at 12:01 PM : Aug 14, 2008
Of course he disagreed he''s the thug''s lawyer because that''s his job not because it''s necessarily true and like it says he has no other explanation.
I am sure you would rather have Baron Pikes out walking YOUR streets, instead of Scott Nugent ? ? ?
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Posted by DaVicar2 at 11:57 AM : Aug 14, 2008
Or your type! Fortunately the cops in our area use common sense and not blind brute force simply because they can.
I am not doubting you at all, just hadn''t seen any of the stories. Would like to know what the whole truth is before making an opinion.
I didn''t see any other stories on this case. Was the victim black ? I honestly don''t know and don''t think it should make a difference. If the officer was wrong he should answer for it.
How come SERIOUS wasnt an option? Because I AM SERIOUS!
Any druggie who is so doped up that he can survive EIGHT Taser blasts, deserves #9!
Officer Nugents JOB is to get criminals OFF THE STREET, and I guarantee you, young Mister Pikes is no longer a menace to our society!
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Posted by DaVicar2 at 11:28 AM : Aug 14, 2008
I guess I have my answer. Because if you read all available information and come up with those remarks. You must be ''seriously'' insane. Maybe you''ll get lucky and this fine example of law en-FORCE-ment will be hired in your community.
I would likie to herar the facts of the case before deciding who was right or wrong. If the officer is guilty then let justice take its course. Wearing a badge does not put anyone above the law. I lived in Lousiana for 9 years so i know exactly what you are talking about.
hwy71 made a civil statement. I do not know why you felt a need to respond with insults.
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See all 83 Comments