Clarion family sues state police for Taser death
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A Clarion County incident in which a gasoline-soaked man burst into flames and died upon being zapped with a Taser is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed today against the State Police.
Levi Mohney was 24 on March 18, 2009, when state troopers surrounded his girlfriend's Strattenville mobile home and demanded that he come out, according to the complaint filed by attorney Patrick G. Geckle, of Philadelphia. When he would not come out, they broke open the door.
Mr. Geckle said they were investigating an allegation that he had assaulted his girlfriend.
During the encounter police used a Taser, and because he had previously soaked himself in gasoline, his clothes ignited and he suffered burns over 98 percent of his body, the complaint said.
His father, Shawn Mohney, of New Bethlehem, is suing for violations of civil rights, wrongful death, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Geckle said Levi Mohney was suffering from a mental disability.
"In my humble opinion, there was no need to Taser the man," said Mr. Geckle. "He wasn't armed. He wasn't posing a direct threat to the officers."
A state police spokesman could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
First Published March 15, 2011 5:53 pm
