39 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
39 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

86 year old bedridden disabled woman gets tasered!

by TimPhelan
32 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
The lady's grandson said "Don't taser my granny"! They did anyways.

Police Tasered an 86-year-old disabled grandma in her bed and stepped on her oxygen hose until she couldn't breathe, after her grandson called 911 seeking medical assistance, the woman and her grandson claim in Oklahoma City Federal Court. Though the grandson said, "Don't Taze my granny!" an El Reno police officer told another cop to "Taser her!" and wrote in his police report that he did so because the old woman "took a more aggressive posture in her bed," according to the complaint.
Lonnie Tinsley claims that he called 911 after he went to check on his grandmother, whom he found in her bed, "connected to a portable oxygen concentrator with a long hose." She is "in marginal health, [and] takes several prescribed medications daily," and "was unable to tell him exactly when she had taken her meds," so, Tinsley says, he called 911 "to ask for an emergency medical technician to come to her apartment to evaluate her."
In response, "as many as ten El Reno police" officers "pushed their way through the door," according to the complaint.
The grandma, Lona Varner, "told them to get out of her apartment."
The remarkable complaint continues: "Instead, the apparent leader of the police [defendant Thomas Duran] instructed another policeman to 'Taser her!' He stated in his report that the 86 year-old plaintiff 'took a more aggressive posture in her bed,' and that he was fearful for his safety and the safety of others.

Courthouse News Service
  • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
    No. It's not a wso. She is trying to get $75,000 though.
    Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill View Post

    I saw the first part of your headline and honestly expected it to read, " 86 year old bedridden disabled woman gets $247,821.45 in three days."
    Signature
    Over 50 Dating
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2269671].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      It really makes you wonder about the intelligence of some people.

      I don't even know how to respond to something like this. :confused:
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2269677].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KimW
      Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

      No. It's not a wso. She is trying to get $75,000 though.
      I hope she getts that 75K and another 75K in punitive.
      They should also line up every cop involved and let her tase them.
      Signature

      Read A Post.
      Subscribe to a Newsletter
      KimWinfrey.Com

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270013].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Yeah, they should have tasered the SON INSTEAD for calling 911 for such a MORONIC reason! Like the EMTs would know what to do, ask, somehow manage to get her to tell THEM, etc.... He should MAYBE have called HER doctor, or gone on the internet to check on the medicines, etc...

    And WHY did they send the police? For a moronic reason like this, they should have asked him to call someone that could handle it. If he said that she had a heart attack, etc.... they should have sent the EMTs. There is NO reason to call the police!

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2269702].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      I just found out this isn't the record for oldest person to be tasered. Last year an 89 year old man was tasered. Youngest I have heard of is 12.
      Signature
      Over 50 Dating
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2269720].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Freeman A
        [DELETED]
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270008].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
          Originally Posted by poorman View Post

          The purpose of a taser is to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. It is very dangerous and inhumane to taser an 89 year old person because at that age, the muscles are "half dead" and tasering such a person could mean the end.
          On top of that, she was on oxygen and they first stepped on her oxygen cable to cut that off and then they fired the taser.
          Signature

          Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

          Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270057].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author andybeveridge
    I had a Scottish Grandad who could have taken most of Glasgow on when he was in his 70s. I doubt tasering would have stopped him, probably just fired him up.
    Signature

    Become a Digi Warrior and join us in the successful Dig Warrior IM Academy
    Join us at www.digiwarrior.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2269765].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Pauline60
    So a police officer was afraid for his safety when faced with an 86 year old woman who was lying down in bed?
    I am not really sure what I can say about that. I am only 49 and can stand fully upright. I would probably scare him to death.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270051].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by Pauline60 View Post

      So a police officer was afraid for his safety when faced with an 86 year old woman who was lying down in bed?
      His safety and the safety of the other nine officers.

      I guess 86-year-old bedridden women on oxygen are intimidating.
      Signature

      Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270066].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Cops are getting hella cocky these days - this happens all the time....several years ago there was a statistic of 306 deaths when tasers shouldn't have even been used -- I've tried to find more recent stats, but I guess they aren't talking any more. Instead, it's just become illegal in a few states to film them while they are brutalizing someone. I think we should let these guys loose on the border. Guys with that little integrity and that much of a militant power trip would be very good border defense. Someone willfully wants to go through them, that's their problem, but for God's sake get em off the street where they are treating law abiding citizens like German prison camp detainees.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270067].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Had to wonder when the blog posts full of righteous indignation seemed to be so recent - and also why there were no news sources reporting this.

      I'm still wondering why all the angst this weekend - when the incident happened last december.

      Not quite as innocent as some of those outraged bloggers think. Some of the police report:

      Dallas.Org: El Reno Police - Report on Lona Varner

      What does this have in common with other incidents when people have been so upset over "police abuse"? Confronting/cussing/threatening the police - that's always stupid whether you are 17 or 86.

      Don't get me wrong - I think it was over-reaction - but I wasn't there and this granny doesn't sound as helpless as she is portrayed in the courtroom. I think the biggest over-reaction is the knee jerk "bad cops" that flows all over the web whenever one blogger reports something like this - even if six months after it happened.

      I think it's ridiculous to expect police to put themselves at risk when threatened with a weapon. We know police have weapons as part of their job - threatening them ain't too bright.

      The lady's grandson said "Don't taser my granny"! They did anyways.
      Maybe HE should have been taking the knife from granny instead of yelling at the police.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
      January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
      So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270219].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
        Damn granny. Why the hell is she yelling at those darn cops? So stupid of her. I guess she won't do it again though.

        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        that's always stupid whether you are 17 or 86.
        Signature
        Over 50 Dating
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270307].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          I don't think it was the yelling - it was the knife in her hand that made her a danger.

          I repeat - why wasn't the grandson trying to get the knife? He wanted the cops to control grannie - which is something he couldn't do - but thought they should take risks he wouldn't take.

          Will grannie get money? Probably

          I don't think police can win with a case like this - if they turned around and left the house - they would be wrong. If they manhandled the knife away from the woman - they would be accused of brutality.

          Maybe what should happen in such a case is for the cops to pull up a chair and wait it out. No one in - no one out - no food - no nothing ...and the person resisting pays the hours of police salary they're using up. About as gentle of you can get.
          Signature
          Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
          ***
          Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
          January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
          So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270356].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            I don't think it was the yelling - it was the knife in her hand that made her a danger.

            I repeat - why wasn't the grandson trying to get the knife? He wanted the cops to control grannie - which is something he couldn't do - but thought they should take risks he wouldn't take.
            Um, did you read the police report you posted the link to? It said: "During this time Lonnie [that's the grandson] kept trying to advance on Varner to get the knife. I had to tell Lonnie numerous times to back away and to not approach Varner."

            Note also that the woman reportedly threatened police, but there's nothing in the report about her threatening the EMS personnel. Makes you wonder if her reaction would have been different if it had been medical personnel that showed up first.
            Signature

            Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

            Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270386].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
            If they manhandled the knife away from the woman - they would be accused of brutality.
            Wrong. This was the way to handle it. Nobody would have ever heard about this story if they just "manhandled" the knife away. Geesh. Get some cops with protective suits on if you need it against this monster of a woman. That's how they handle convicted murderers in the worst prisons. I think they can handle granny with a steak knife.
            Signature
            Over 50 Dating
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270407].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            Maybe what should happen in such a case is for the cops to pull up a chair and wait it out. No one in - no one out - no food - no nothing ...and the person resisting pays the hours of police salary they're using up. About as gentle of you can get.

            That's another thing. I called 911 for a VALID reason, and had to PAY for the ambulance. That jerk calls, presumably for EMTs, and would THEY have been charged for EMTs?

            Steve
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271282].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author KimW
              Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

              That's another thing. I called 911 for a VALID reason, and had to PAY for the ambulance. That jerk calls, presumably for EMTs, and would THEY have been charged for EMTs?

              Steve
              Sadly more and more places on all levels are charging for emergency services. I've had to call then 3 or 4 times in the last 6 months, and a few days after each call we get a bill for $400. Some would call it the cost of doing business, I call it the cost of living,literally.
              Signature

              Read A Post.
              Subscribe to a Newsletter
              KimWinfrey.Com

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271300].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author seasoned
                Originally Posted by KimW View Post

                Sadly more and more places on all levels are charging for emergency services. I've had to call then 3 or 4 times in the last 6 months, and a few days after each call we get a bill for $400. Some would call it the cost of doing business, I call it the cost of living,literally.
                Yeah, I used to think ambulances were FREE! I would prefer they were for all having a reason to have such services. But if ***I*** have to pay when I NEED it, I want HIM to pay for such a STUPID call.

                Steve
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271317].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author KimW
                  Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

                  Yeah, I used to think ambulances were FREE! I would prefer they were for all having a reason to have such services. But if ***I*** have to pay when I NEED it, I want HIM to pay for such a STUPID call.

                  Steve
                  Ambulances WERE free when we were growing up.At least in a sense,as they were paid for out of the city/county/state taxes that we paid. It wasn't until our country became the corporation of America that we started being double charged for that service.
                  Signature

                  Read A Post.
                  Subscribe to a Newsletter
                  KimWinfrey.Com

                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271338].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Kay,

    WOW, that is DAMNING! BUT, like I said, SOMETHING was wrong with the story.

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270274].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      Yeah. Let me explain it to you. The cops tasered an 86 year old bedridden disabled woman! THAT is what is wrong with the story.

      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Kay,

      BUT, like I said, SOMETHING was wrong with the story.

      Steve
      Signature
      Over 50 Dating
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270315].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

        Yeah. Let me explain it to you. The cops tasered an 86 year old bedridden disabled woman! THAT is what is wrong with the story.
        Well, you left out the knife, the threats, etc... and what were they there to do? Of course, as I said, the original story sounds WRONG because they should have AT MOST sent EMTs. I would have said "HEY, we can't know that, our EMTs are not doctors, call us when there is a REAL emergency!"!

        Steve
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271274].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    People better damned well have "knee-jerk" reactions to this type of stuff. I'm sorry if our citizens can't tell the difference between true self defense and abuse. When 9 cops storm a house over a 911 MEDICAL call and then can't handle an unarmed geriatric and sick woman without a taser and people even start to imagine that's okay, then maybe they need to be tased so they will FINALLY understand what the hell a taser is.

    When we can't open our mouths without getting tased - that is NOT okay. Sure she SWORE - so torture the aggressive little bitch with electrical currents -- that will teach her to not speak unless she has something to say that will be ALLOWED.

    It's not illegal to swear at a cop.

    I don't care how they doctored that report -- that was abuse and over stepping human decency. I can just imagine if that taser would have killed her that we'd be hearing people chirping "she got what she deserved".

    There comes a point in time that it is no longer okay to turn your heads and say "but the cops have a right........." and this is one of those times. What has happened to you people? You really can't be THAT indoctrinated? If you are - God help us all.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270332].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Human beings should not be tased.Period.
    Before everyone jumps on me, I stated in another recent thread that yes,there are times in extreme cases that a Peace officer may be forced into a situation where he has to use one on another human being,but those circumstances are very rare.
    Signature

    Read A Post.
    Subscribe to a Newsletter
    KimWinfrey.Com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270337].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      Human beings should not be tased.Period.
      I really don't think that people who consistently say that people "got what they deserved" or don't think tasers are a big deal understand completely what they are.......hit em once and they will know. I also don't think people who see tasers as being alright understand the principles of either indoctrination or martial law. If it was okay this time, that means it's okay ANY time someone says something "out of line" to or in front of a cop - hell, it only kills a small percent anyhow, eh? Now all we have to do is decide EXACTLY what is considered out of line and how angry we can be at cops acting like we're under martial law without being electrocuted for it.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270354].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      From the report: "Varner said she was going to snap my neck like a twig just like she did in world war 2". OK. Now if you are a police officer and an 86 year old woman said this to you, what does it mean? The first thought that comes to my mind is she is delusional. It isn't that she is dangerous. She is depressed. She wants to kill herself they say.

      Age does matter! What if a 5 year old grabs a knife? Tase them also? I mean come on folks.

      As Kim says tasers should only be used in extreme cases anyways. This was NOT an extreme case. Either they are training these cops wrong or this guy totally is not up to the job.
      Signature
      Over 50 Dating
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270373].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hendricius
    Police think they can do what ever they want with no consequence.

    I think the cops need to be fired. What officer can not handle an 86 year old.

    I guess they were afraid she would get up and karate chop them. lol

    They were just wanting to use the taser. I don't understand why the ambulance didn't show up and take her to the emergency room if her grandson felt she needed help.

    That is why you call 911 for help.

    The officer who tasered her just did the job of the officer who told him to do it.

    When people deal with elderly people they should always say to them self this is someones mother,wife,grandma etc.... How would I want someone to treat mine.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270366].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    If a cop trained in self defense can't get a steak knife away from a sick old woman without brutality, that dude doesn't need to be a cop. They really should not have been acting like a swat team in there anyway - Two cops - one for back up, walk in the room politely and ask what the problem is and see what is needed? It was a MEDICAL call - so what was the swat BS? If the woman was delusional when they got there, they should have just kept back until the DOCTORS got there. She could have been having a stroke and might have not known where she was or what she was doing and they had no right to be tasing someone in that condition -- it's not like she had a gun pointed at them. I'm supposed to think now that even if she got out of bed and charged one of them with the knife that they couldn't have out run her?
    I'm thinking the EMTs and her doctor should have a piece of that lawsuit, too.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270529].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lou Diamond
    Hello,
    it sounds like they gave Barney Fife a Taser to play with.
    Can you just imagine that one.
    Signature

    Something new soon.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2270551].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Lou Diamond View Post

      Hello,
      it sounds like they gave Barney Fife a Taser to play with.
      Can you just imagine that one.
      NOPE! Barney fife would have SHOT everyone! REMEMBER? He shot SO much, and made SO many mistakes, that he had to debate with Andy to get ****ONE**** bullet, that he kept in his shirt pocket!

      HEE is wikipedias account:

      One major comedic source is Barney's lack of ability with a firearm. After numerous misfires (usually a Colt or Smith & Wesson M&P .38 caliber revolver), Andy restricts Barney to carrying only a single bullet in his shirt pocket, "in case of an emergency." The bullet always seems to find its way back into the pistol, where, predictably, it is accidentally discharged. The accidental discharge of Barney's pistol becomes a running gag: Barney gives a lecture on gun safety and either shoots the floor through his holster, or assuming the safety latch is on, causes the gun to fire!
      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271328].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    BTW AGE DOESN'T MATTER! Some 20yo people are WEAK! Some in their 70s, and probably older, are relatively strong. Some 20yo people are insane, etc... Some 90+ year olds are VERY lucid. And HECK, *I* was on oxygen once, but wasn't any less capable really. My father was ALSO, SAME STORY! So just knowing she was on oxygen doesn't tell you the whole story. Some people are on oxygen as a precaution, SOME because their lungs ability is sub par(STILL high enough to have strength, etc... but not enough to do anything for a LONG time, etc..., or maybe just below I believe it is 94% oxygen)

    As for tasers? I HATE them! I DO know what they feel like. I DO understand how they work, etc... But if they are the only things they are allowed to use, other than guns, well.... Again though, if it were me, the police wouldn't have been there. The son may have called the doctor, or checked the internet, and could have found the answer, if there was one. It is cheaper and FASTER than calling 911. 911 is when you need IMMEDIATE info for an EMERGENCY, have a fire or other emergency that needs certain people THEY have(fire, police, EMTs), or you need to get to the hospital. You should NOT call them to determine if a person took their medication, or what medication the person should be taking. EMTs work to STABILIZE patients and do first aid, NOT to be a doctor.

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2271313].message }}

Trending Topics