Speeder Tasered by trooper on YouTube video gets $40,000 from state (with video)

[jetdawgg]

Jared Massey
A Vernal man shocked twice with a Taser during a traffic stop last year has accepted a $40,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed against the state and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper.

The Utah Attorney General's Office announced the settlement between Jared Massey and UHP trooper Jon Gardner on Monday.

"We think this is a legally defensible case because Trooper Gardner acted reasonably to avert a volatile and potentially dangerous confrontation on the side of a busy highway," said Assistant Attorney General Scott Cheney, who represented Gardner. "We recognize, however, that this is a close case."
The settlement comes on the heels of a decision by Tooele County prosecutors

The Massey Case -- Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jon Gardner shocks Massey twice during a Sept. 14 traffic stop for speeding in Uintah County. -- UHP announced Nov. 29 an internal investigation found Gardner did nothing wrong. -- On Jan. 10, Massey pleads guilty to speeding and pays a $107 citation. Eight days later, he files a civil lawsuit alleging Gardner violated his civil rights. -- The Tooele County Attorney's Office says March 4 Gardner's conduct was not criminal. -- The state on Monday announces it has settled the lawsuit for $40,000.

earlier this month that determined Gardner's actions were not criminal. An internal UHP investigation also cleared the trooper.

Video of the trooper zapping Massey, taken by the trooper's dashboard camera, came to prominence after Massey posted it on the Internet site YouTube. Since it was posted last year, it has been viewed more than 1.7 million times.

Massey's attorney, Bob Sykes, said Monday the offer to settle the case was not the state's first and that his client decided to take it.
Massey filed a lawsuit against Gardner in January alleging the trooper violated his civil rights when he zapped him during a traffic stop Sept. 14, 2007, on Highway 40 in Uintah County.

He was stopped for driving 61 mph in a 40 mph zone.
During the stop, Massey argued with Gardner about his speed and then refused to sign the citation. Massey then got out of his car and followed Gardner to his police car where he was asked to place his hands behind his back. When Massey refused, Gardner shocked him.

The suit said Massey fell screaming in pain after being shocked while Gardner taunted him by saying, "Hurts, doesn't it?" Massey struck his head against the pavement and was zapped a second time because he was unable to immediately obey an order to turn over on his stomach, according to the suit.

"We thought the amount of force used was outrageous," Sykes said Monday.

The settlement amount includes attorneys' fees. The Attorney General's Office says Massey has agreed to dismiss his lawsuit, all claims against Gardner and all potential claims against UHP, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the state.
jbergreen@sltrib.com

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8529728

[hrscowboy]

Hahhahahahahaha i would have kicked him a couple times in the face for his smart mouth and tazed his arse again again.. Just no respect for the badge anymore..

[gutinstinct]

God, how I hate a skels attorney.

[OLE SARG]

Sounds like this prick massey got what the **** he deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had cases just like this and I was not quite as gentle as this Trooper was.
Some times you just want to say, "Go ahead *******, make my day"!!!!!!!

SEMPER FI,

[CHOPPER7199]

Wonder If He Got A Cage Ride? The Creep.

[HOLM]

Watching the video I got the impression that wan't the first time he had had a tazer point at his dumbass.

[FistFu68]

NO RESPECT FOR THE LAW-IN THE OLD DAY'S HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A GOOD OLD FASHIONED AZZ-WHIPPIN @ TOOK IT LIKE A MAN

[Dave Coup]

Fist, I'm afraid those days are gone forever, too bad. There's a lot of weak stock out there. Needs culling or teaching.

[jetdawgg]

The Cop is not the judge or jury

[testforecho2112]

Jet, you are absolutely right, however, his position does carry a large amount of authority, and as citizens of this country we are REQUIRED to obey lawful orders from any and all Police officers, regardless if we dont understand why.

As far as this goes, the trooper was detaining him for a traffic violation, and he was obligated to follow the troopers orders, for his safety, the safety of the people in the car with him, and for the trooper.

The trooper was writing a summons for this youngman to meet the judge and jury, he brought this on himself.

Bill

[jetdawgg]

Jet, you are absolutely right, however, his position does carry a large amount of authority, and as citizens of this country we are REQUIRED to obey lawful orders from any and all Police officers, regardless if we dont understand why.

As far as this goes, the trooper was detaining him for a traffic violation, and he was obligated to follow the troopers orders, for his safety, the safety of the people in the car with him, and for the trooper.

The trooper was writing a summons for this youngman to meet the judge and jury, he brought this on himself.

Bill

The point here is that the actions of the cop caused the citizens to pay 40K. That should have come out of his salary instead of the taxpayers

[testforecho2112]

But it wasnt the cops fault for this guy speeding, which is was started this whole thing. If the youngman in question had been following the law, he wouldnt have been pulled over, and wouldnt have gotten tazed, and we wouldnt be discussing this at all! I think his fine should be $40,000! I guess thats why i'm not a judge!

[jetdawgg]

I still don't think that the young man tazed himself. That (the blaming of the victim being tazed) is irrational imo

[yellowwing]

Get that dumb kid to Parris Island. He will learn RESPECT.

[OLE SARG]

Let's face it, the turd got what the **** he deserved. I think the Trooper was too kind to the smartmouth little *******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of the liberal bull**** is coming to a head with all the "entitled" children running around out in the "real" World. They have no respect for authority, age, women, etc.
I agree with yellowwing and I say you respect me or you will learn respect!!!

SEMPER FI,