Louisiana Cop Tasers Suspect Excessively, Part 1

In the sleepy lumber town of Winnfield, Louisiana former Louisiana State Police officer and ex-officer Scott Nugent handcuffed Baron “Scooter” Pikes before using the Taser on him nine times. Nugent, who was fired following the incident, may now end up facing criminal charges. The January incident is still under investigation.

The coroner’s report stated that Pikes stopped twitching following the seventh time he was shocked. Medical examiners said Pikes died shortly thereafter. The Winn Parish coroner, Dr. Randolph Williams, ruled that the death was a homicide following an extensive study. In an interview with CNN Williams said the victim “was jolted so many times by the 50,000 volt Taser that he might have been dead before the last two shocks were delivered.”

Carol Powell Lexing, an attorney representing the Pikes family, said “It’s taken several months for this case to even be properly addressed, so one has to wonder, ‘Why did it take so long?’”

Once the Louisiana State Police report on the case is complete, the Winn Parish District Attorney, Christopher Nevils, will make his decision regarding whether or not to bring charges against Nugent.

Phillip Terrell, the attorney who represents Nugent, stated that Pikes outweighed the officer by 100 pounds and that his client followed the proper procedure in subduing the suspect.

However, Williams stated that Pikes was already on the ground and handcuffed when he was first shocked with the Taser. Nugent reported having Tased the 240-pound suspect because he was slow in following police directions to get to his feet.

“Obviously, a wrongful death occurred,” said Lexing.