Jury awards $269 in damages to man shocked by Taser
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A federal civil jury today found that a city of Pittsburgh police officer was liable for unjustifiably using a Taser on a man in 2006, but awarded the man only $269 in damages.
Robert L. Rucker, 29, of Penn Hills, sued the city in 2008, saying that police responded after they believed that he had an argument with a woman, dragged him from his car, shocked him with a Taser, and jailed him. All but summary offenses against him were dropped, but he developed health problems and lost his job, according to his complaint.
After a three-day civil trial before U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone, a jury found as liable one of three officers, Neal Marabello, an 11-year veteran of the force accused of using the Taser. The damages awarded were based on Mr. Rucker's initial hospital bill. He had sought damages in excess of $75,000.
"Mr. Rucker is very grateful, as was I, that a federal jury did find that Mr. Marabello used excessive force that night when he shot my client with a Taser gun," said Kelly Scanlon Graham, who is Mr. Rucker's attorney.
She said she will file papers to have her fees and costs paid by the defense. She did not know if the city would have to pay that.
First Published August 24, 2011 4:29 pm
