Tased Nearly to Death for Not Rolling Down Broken Car Windo

Time to take tasers away from cops.  No, time to outlaw the fucking things.

Think Progress:

A 17-year-old Missouri teen was put in a medically-induced coma for brain injuries received during a struggle with a police officer. Witnesses allege that Bryce Masters’ head hit the pavement after he was handcuffed and dropped on the ground by Officer Tim Runnels.

Masters was pulled over by police Sunday afternoon, due to a warrant for a woman associated with the car he was driving. Police claim the boy would not open his window, while Masters’ friends contend that the window switch was not working.

“The driver refused to exit the vehicle,” said Sgt. Darrell Schmidli. “A struggle ensued, a Taser was deployed by the officer. The driver was finally removed out of the car. A struggle ensued once he was moved out of the car.” But witnesses argue that Runnels used excessive force against Masters, putting his foot on the teen as if he were putting out a cigarette, as the teenager convulsed on the ground. Witnesses also claim that an emergency unit had to resuscitate Masters before he was sent to the hospital.

The Kansas City division of the FBI is currently investigating the Independence Police Department, but the department maintains that it acted within legal grounds. Major Paul Thurman believes Runnels, who has worked with the Independence police for three years, used the Taser in accordance with officer policy.

Runnels was placed on administrative leave.

That means he gets paid to not work. Although if it means he's not on the streets tasing innocent kids for no reason, it's a bargain.