Man sues officers over taser gun use
3/7/2007
An Iberia Parish man claims two police officers used excessive force when they shot him with a taser gun at last year's Jeanerette Mardi Gras parade.
David R. Miller Sr. is seeking unspecified damages against Jeanerette police officer Doug Trumps, Patterson police officer Gary Stevenson, the city of Jeanerette and the city of Patterson, which was hired to provide additional security at the parade.
The lawsuit was filed last month in 16th Judicial District Court. According to the lawsuit, Miller was attending the Krewe of Ezana Parade Feb. 19, 2006, when he noticed a group of police officers huddled around his son.
When Miller approached the officers and demanded they release his son, the lawsuit states Stevenson shot him in the stomach with a taser gun.
The lawsuit states Miller was taken to Iberia Medical Center but remained in police custody.
He was later taken to the Jeanerette Police Department by Trumps and charged with disturbing the peace and battery on a police officer.
Miller was was later found not guilty following a trial in Jeanerette City Court, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states the officers are liable for excessive force, false arrest and malicious prosecution. It states Miller suffered pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and humiliation and embarrassment as a result of the incident.
Jeanerette Mayor Arthur Verret said he had not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment.
Miller's lawyer, Clayton Burgess, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.