FBI investigating Muskogee police use of stun gun
BY Associated Press
Sunday, December 16, 2012
MUSKOGEE — Police in Muskogee said the FBI is investigating the use of a stun gun and pepper spray by two police officers on a woman who was handcuffed to a gurney at Muskogee Regional Medical Center.
The Muskogee Phoenix reported Sunday that police Cpl. Pedro Zardeneta said a report on the Nov. 6 incident has been sent to investigators.
The names of the officers have not been released. Zardeneta said neither officer was placed on leave.
"From what I understand, it sounds like the officers were following policy. But there's a review process that will determine that for sure," Zardeneta said.
The woman was hospitalized at the request of family members who were concerned that she was depressed, had been drinking and had a gun, police said.
The woman's attorney, Jeremy Beaver, said hospital records show the woman's hands and feet were bound at 7:12 p.m. Nov. 6. At 7:35 p.m., Beaver said, hospital records indicated she became combative and belligerent.
Beaver said the woman was then shot with pepper-sprayed and a stun gun by officers who said she was "hitting and pulling on nurses" while handcuffed.
Beaver said he is pleased that the FBI is looking into the report.
"In any other circumstance a person shooting another with a Taser or pepper spray without justification would be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon," Beaver said.
