Taser-happy cops plead guilty to using excessive force against a woman
On October 27, 2014, two former police officers pleaded guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina to using excessive force against a woman with mental disabilities. Eric Walters, 39, and Franklin Brown, 35, formerly police officers with the City of Marion Police Department in South Carolina, each pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for using unreasonable force. Walters and Brown repeatedly tased the female victim, in spite of the fact that she posed no threat to either officer.
In the course of detaining the woman, Walters tased her. This caused the victim to fall to the ground and injure her head. Once on the ground, Walters continued to tase the woman multiple times.
The woman was then restrained in handcuffs and seated on the curb, surrounded by law enforcement officers. Brown arrived on scene and decided that it was a great idea to tase a sitting, handcuffed woman yet again. In court, Walters and Brown admitted there was no legitimate law enforcement purpose for repeatedly tasing the victim, since she did not pose a threat to the officers and wasn’t resisting. Both police officers were fired for their misconduct in using excessive force.
