Texas constable's office defends Tasering of grandmother

Law enforcement officials in Travis County, Tex., where Austin is located, are standing behind the actions of a constable who used a Taser on a 72-year-old woman during a May traffic stop, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The officials say the officer acted properly in a "dangerous situation" after Kathryn Winkfein, who was pulled over for speeding, allegedly resisted arrest, according to the incident report, the paper says.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/06/texas-constables-office-defends-tasering-of-grandmother.html

:idunno: I feel this is over the top. I could understand if she had been brandishing a shotgun but I think Deputy Dawg could have found a more reasonable way to handle the situation.

Twice her size and had to use a taser. That first push looked a little uncalled for, wouldn't want to be him.

I think the first push was to get them both out of traffic. She pushed him into making a choice. I dont think he wanted to tase the lady. When an officer tells you to do something, you do it.

Should he have tased her? I dont think so, but she is partially responsible for the outcome. He could have handled it better.

Perhaps the Guru can answer this question. When officers are trained, are there contraindications for the use of tasers? I would think that old age might be one due to the risk of heart issues.

The taser use was probably not necessary at the point it was used, but please keep in mind that even 72-year old grandmothers - especially those actly in a non-compliant manner - can be a danger. Those that say there would never be a cause to deploy a taser/baton/pepper spray against an elderly person are mistaken. Even older individuals can go off the deep end, grab for a weapon, and endanger an officer's life. His pushing of the woman when they reached the back of the car was appropriate, as I can understand him wanting to move away from the road, as well as wanting to create a little more space between him and her.

Police officers have to make split-second decisions every day. Not many people have to do so in their own jobs. And even the best, well-intentioned officers occasionally make a bad split-second decision. Hopefully, such a decision doesn't cost a life. But the fact of the matter is that they are human and aren't perfect and occasionally mistakes will happen. I guess these mistakes wouldn't be quite as noticeable if police would release videotape of the 99% of times that they make good decisions.

Edited June 10, 200917 yr by cooperstown

She should have listened to the officer. In her statement she said she did nothing wrong. Then she say the video and then said no comment.

He probably should have not tased her but are we not been taught to listen to an officer?

I don't think the Sgt Major at the beginning meant what his words actually said.

Didn't all this start because she refused to sign the ticket?

^ Yes and then she said give me the thing and I'll sign it. I still think the push wasn't needed all he needed to do was step beside her the push escalated everything. I realize old people can be dangerous too, but I still don't agree with the way he handled it.

I may be in the minority here, but I don't feel as though the deputy did anything wrong. The woman (72, grandmother or not) is in the wrong for being non-compliant. He gave her multiple opportunities to sign the ticket and multiple opportunities to step back, as the deputy commanded. Instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, saying "I dare you!" or "taser me!" Don't we call this resisting arrest?

I may be in the minority here, but I don't feel as though the deputy did anything wrong. The woman (72, grandmother or not) is in the wrong for being non-compliant. He gave her multiple opportunities to sign the ticket and multiple opportunities to step back, as the deputy commanded. Instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, saying "I dare you!" or "taser me!" Don't we call this resisting arrest?

I agee 100%, when an officer asks you to do something just do it!

The taser use was probably not necessary at the point it was used, but please keep in mind that even 72-year old grandmothers - especially those actly in a non-compliant manner - can be a danger. Those that say there would never be a cause to deploy a taser/baton/pepper spray against an elderly person are mistaken. Even older individuals can go off the deep end, grab for a weapon, and endanger an officer's life. His pushing of the woman when they reached the back of the car was appropriate, as I can understand him wanting to move away from the road, as well as wanting to create a little more space between him and her.

 

Police officers have to make split-second decisions every day. Not many people have to do so in their own jobs. And even the best, well-intentioned officers occasionally make a bad split-second decision. Hopefully, such a decision doesn't cost a life. But the fact of the matter is that they are human and aren't perfect and occasionally mistakes will happen. I guess these mistakes wouldn't be quite as noticeable if police would release videotape of the 99% of times that they make good decisions.

Good post!

Two points:

1. Obey officers.

2. After I find out that the tasered person is OK and will live, seeing them tasered always makes me laugh. Don't know why.

I may be in the minority here, but I don't feel as though the deputy did anything wrong. The woman (72, grandmother or not) is in the wrong for being non-compliant. He gave her multiple opportunities to sign the ticket and multiple opportunities to step back, as the deputy commanded. Instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, saying "I dare you!" or "taser me!" Don't we call this resisting arrest?

:thumb:

Why is it that when someone breaks the law and then continues to be disrepectful and it leads to an aggressive outcome, we blame the person who should be held blameless? The person at fault was the driver of the truck. If that were me, this wouldn't be on the news and if it were, no one would defend me like they are defending this woman.

I am sickened that she has to be described by her age and status as a grandmother.........who cares! She broke the speed limit, refused to sign the ticket, cursed the officer and then resisted arrest and defied his repeated request to step back to the car. If this cased was "sanitized", no one would be siding with her, but because she is identified as she is, people have empathy. If this were my grandmother, I would be embarrassed and think she would deserve jail time. She wouldn't be calling me for bond money, she'd sit and think about what she had done.

Take responsibility for your actions and quit blaming others Grandma!!!!!!!

After watching the video I do not see a true push until she says she's getting back into her car. The first one to stay out of the traffic wasn't anything more than budging her out of the way.

72 or 22 I am not sure if the taser was right. I mean it's under my understanding from my Criminal Justice class I took last year that the taser was to be used when the officers life was in danger. (striking you, threatening having a weapon, etc.) No where in this video was his life in danger. She never once threatened to have a weapon or swung at the officer. She made no gestures to a pocket or anywhere a weapon would be. The officer could have done his job by putting her on the ground by himself rather than the weapon.

With that being said, I do not feel sorry for her. During my very few run ins with an officer (only 1 actually) I have never had a problem when simply saying yes sir or yes ma'am. When being confronted by an officer the situation can get as hostile as you would like.