Cops mistake autistic man's inability to speak as non cooperating. Tazed him. Lawsuit filed [View all]
Torruella’s ordeal began on July 23, 2014, when the autistic man ran off from his Baltazar's home at around 10 p.m., the suit says. When cops found him near E. 152nd St. and Melrose Ave., they mistook his inability to speak as not cooperating, and Tasered him, court papers claim.
“Taking an autistic person and Tasering him when he’s basically just lost is not reasonable,” attorney Dave Thompson told The News.
Torruella was taken to Lincoln Hospital and was released back into his mother’s custody after not being charged with a crime, according to court papers. He still has scars on his left side from the police stun gun, the suit said.
The NYPD's use of the Taser was excessive force, and violates Torruella's rights under the federal Americans with Disabilities act, the suit alleged.
The NYPD's Patrol Guide allows cops to apprehend an "emotionally disturbed person" if it is "necessary," — though Torruella's mother said that her son is disabled, not violent.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/autistic-bronx-man-tased-nypd-error-lawsuit-article-1.2382421
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