The standards of "Human life" have been lowered!

 Lubbock settles Taser death suit for $49,000

"Police Chief Dale Holton said the department hasn't made significant
changes to the policy, but there is a possibility of revisions in the future."

"We do regret the loss of Juan Nunez," Holton said. "We mourn his
loss." *What he really saying is that, city council and police mourn the loss of
this "settlement".*

The Associated Press
Article Launched: 05/07/2008 02:38:28 AM PDT

 LUBBOCK, Texas—City officials agreed to pay $49,000 to the family of domestic violence suspect who died after a police officer stunned him in the chest several times with a Taser stun gun.

The city does not admit liability in the 2006 death of Juan Nunez III with the settlement announced Tuesday.

Nunez' family sued the city alleging Lubbock police had not established adequate policies for stun gun use and failed to properly train officers. In the suit, the family alleged Officer Matt Doherty used excessive force and violated Nunez' constitutional rights.

Doherty responded to a 911 hang-up call on April 16, 2006 and found a domestic dispute between Nunez and his family. According to police reports, Nunez became violent, leading Doherty to stun him with the Taser gun.

Doherty fired the stun gun into Nunez's chest four times in less than a minute. Nunez fell backward and struck his head. A medical examiner's report said an electric shock from a Taser stun gun, a blow to the head and alcohol killed Nunez.

In court documents, Doherty maintained he was protecting himself and Nunez' family when he used the stun gun.

City Attorney Anita Burgess said the city was prepared to go to trial but decided to settle out of court after consulting with its insurance company. The cost of going to trial was one factor in deciding to settle.

Lisa Hernandez, Nunez's sister, said the family wanted the police department's stun gun policy changed.

Police Chief Dale Holton said the department hasn't made significant changes to the policy, but there is a possibility of revisions in the future.

"We do regret the loss of Juan Nunez," Holton said. "We mourn his loss."

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"It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power

attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things
than power."

David Brin quotes (American science-fiction writer b.1950