Miami-Dade Grand Jury Proposes Expanded Use of Taser Stun Guns

CATHERINE WILSON
Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) -- A Miami-Dade grand jury strongly recommended expanded use of Taser stun guns by police in crisis situations involving mentally ill people as a safe alternatives to guns despite reports about deaths of stun-gun targets.

"We believe Tasers save lives," the grand jury said Tuesday in a final report focusing on the handling of mentally ill people in the criminal justice system. "We are not hesitant to make this recommendation."

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, who attended the presentation of the final report, said, "Given the alternatives of a lethal or deadly weapon, they prefer the Taser."

The recommendation came amid the Securities and Exchange Commission's investigation into the safety claims of stun-gun's manufacturer, Taser International Inc. The company's finances are also under scrutiny. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company issued a letter Tuesday defending $105.8 million in stock sales last year by the family that has run the business.

Taser shares surged $2.91, or more than 20 percent, to close at $17.01 in Wednesday trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The company's shares plunged nearly 18 percent on Friday on news of the inquiry and remain well below their 52-week high of $33.45.

The grand jury offered suggestions for safeguards to make sure Taser stun guns are used correctly and with adequate oversight, calling for training and policies requiring reports on all stun-gun discharges, disciplinary action for inappropriate use of stun guns and guidelines on populations to be avoided.

The panel noted reports of deaths after use of stun-guns but said autopsies pinned the deaths on drug overdoses or underlying medical conditions.

"The grand jury strongly recommends the use of Tasers by police as a 'less than lethal' weapon in their confrontations and dangerous encounters with mentally ill subjects," the report said.