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Pregnant Con Miscarries After Taser Attack
Afemale parole violator was told to submit to a strip search, but refused, noting five male officers were present right outside the cell. She stated that she would allow the strip search if she were taken to another cell, outside the view of the male officers. A guard then shot her with a Taser gun. (A Taser shoots two darts connected to wires and sends up to 50,000 volts of electricity into a person's body.) The guard had received authorization from his superiors to use the Taser on prisoners refusing to cooperate. The prisoner was 8-10 weeks pregnant at the time of the incident, and suffered a miscarriage several days later.
She sued the officer for use of excessive force. She stated that the Taser should not have been used because she committed no violent act, and that she suffered great emotional distress following the incident. A jury awarded her $225,000 in damages. Valdez v. Ayers, 35 ATLA L. Rep.16 (Feb.1992).
She sued the officer for use of excessive force. She stated that the Taser should not have been used because she committed no violent act, and that she suffered great emotional distress following the incident. A jury awarded her $225,000 in damages. Valdez v. Ayers, 35 ATLA L. Rep.16 (Feb.1992).
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Related legal case
Valdez v. Ayers
| Year | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Cite | 35 ATLA L.Rep. 16 (Feb. 1992) |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Damages | 225000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |