Taser Killing of Howard Hammon is Ruled a 'Homicide'

Howard Hammon

Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's investigation has ruled the death of Howard Hammon a homicide. Villagers will recall that Hammon was tasered fives times by Middleburg Heights Police after a traffic accident in June. [SOURCE]

The medical examiner's investigation found Hammond was high at the time of his struggle with police. Tests revealed he had several drugs in his system. Even so, it appears that pumping 50,000 volts of electricity into someone's body within a short period of time ain't such a good idea. In this case, it is homicide and may end up with criminal charges against the taser-happy police officers.

A police dashcam video of Hammon's arrest shows him struggling with police for several minutes after refusing to be handcuffed. Hammon's family has called for the officers to be criminally charged. Middleburg Heights Police Chief John Maddox says his officers acted properly and cited Hammon's long arrest record.

Someone may need to point out that a past arrest record and the fact that someone is resisting arrest ... is not a reason for extra-judicial electrocution resulting in death. The death penalty should not be applied by the police on unarmed citizens. Hopefully we will see the district attorney move forward with criminal charges.