Tasered for Suffering a Seizure, Man Says

By JACK BOUBOUSHIAN
Courthouse News Service
Nov. 08, 2012

(CN) - Police permanently injured a man's brain by Tasering him repeatedly in response to a 911 call that he was suffering a seizure, the man claims in court.

Scott Sheeley sued the City of Austin, Minn., its police Officers Chad Norman and Kevin Sederquest, and Gold Cross Ambulance Service, in Minneapolis Federal Court.

Austin, pop. 23,000, is about 75 miles south of Minneapolis, near the Iowa line.

The complaint states: "In response to a 911 call seeking medical assistance because plaintiff Scott Sheeley was suffering a seizure, City of Austin Police Officers and Gold Cross Ambulance Service paramedics went to Sheeley's home on a 'Sick Cared For' assignment. Instead of providing medical care, police officers, with the assistance of ambulance paramedics, violently restrained Sheeley, depressing his ability to breathe, and repeatedly shocked him with a Taser gun. Ambulance paramedics then administered drugs to Sheeley that further depressed his ability to breathe, sending him into respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest. As a result, Sheeley suffered physical and emotional injuries, including permanent brain damage."

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