Article 33X47 Taser says its weapons don't kill people, so Reuters built a massive database of 1000+ Taser deaths

Taser says its weapons don't kill people, so Reuters built a massive database of 1000+ Taser deaths

by
Cory Doctorow
from on (#33X47)

reuters-taser-deaths-database-1.jpg

The official party line from Taser -- who make less-lethal electrical weapons as well as a range of police body-cameras and other forensic devices -- is that its weapons don't kill ("no one has died directly from the device's shock"). Reuters reporters who heard this claim decided it was highly suspect and took action, mining America's court records to find "150 autopsy reports citing Tasers as a cause or contributor to deaths," and that those deaths were disproportionately inflicted on "society's vulnerable - unarmed, in psychological distress and seeking help" -- all told, they found 1005 deaths in which Tasers were implicated. (more")

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