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Man accused of grabbing Pennsylvania State Police trooper's Taser, shocking both
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A Washington County man faces felony assault charges after Pennsylvania State Police say he fought with a trooper, leading the trooper to shock himself and the man twice with a Taser.
Daniel L. Yocum, 42, is accused of punching Trooper Joseph Ross in the shoulder late Friday night and grabbing the Taser as the trooper tried to use it on him. He was also charged with disarming a law enforcement officer, DUI, resisting arrest and several summary offenses.
Trooper Ross went to Mr. Yocum's Amwell home for an earlier incident that night, for which Mr. Yocum is also charged with assault, terroristic threats and harassment, court records show.
State police gave this account of what happened:
Mr. Yocum left his home Friday night after threatening to kill his 39-year-old wife and 16-year-old son. Earlier, police said, Mr. Yocum tried to hug and kiss his wife -- and at one point, held her down on the bed and couch -- when she told him to stop and that she wanted a divorce.
He shoved her against the wall, and got into a fistfight with his son, who suffered cuts on his face.
The wife and son called 911 about 10:30 p.m. and Trooper Ross arrived to interview them. While Trooper Ross interviewed them, both received calls from Mr. Yocum, and after the interview, Trooper Ross told the 16-year-old to call his father back.
Trooper Ross spoke by phone with Mr. Yocum, who returned to the house.
Mr. Yocum got out of the vehicle, swore at Trooper Ross and ran from him as Trooper Ross attempted to shock him with the Taser. Mr. Yocum turned around and swung at Trooper Ross, hitting him in the left shoulder.
Trooper Ross tackled Mr. Yocum and during a struggle, both men were shocked by the trooper's Taser. The men continued to struggle, the Taser fired again and shocked them both.
Mr. Yocum remains in the Washington County Jail unable to post $25,000 bail.
First Published February 6, 2013 12:21 am
