Agents used stun gun on pallbearer

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Agents used stun gun on pallbearer | The Daily Telegraph


Agents used stun gun on pallbearer
Article from: Herald Sun

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From correspondents in North Carolina

November 21, 2008 03:58am

A SHERIFF'S official has apologised for plunging a funeral into chaos when undercover agents tried to arrest the dead man's son - and used a stun gun on him.

It happened as the coffin was being loaded into a hearse. The officers planned to quietly arrest pallbearer Gladwyn Taft Russ III.

Relatives said two deputies dressed in coats and ties grabbed Mr Russ and kneed him before using the stun gun.

Mr Russ' sister, Taffy Gause, said a deputy "was waving a gun at me and my mom and yelling to get back or he was going to shoot".

Mr Russ, 42, had failed to surrender after being charged with threatening his ex-wife, officials said. Following his father's death on November 11, Mr Russ agreed to surrender after the funeral.

When deputies approached Mr Russ on Saturday, he "went wild" and spat on the officers, chief deputy Ed McMahon said. Mr McMahon said the officers should have waited until after the service.

Mr Russ was charged with assault, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct and felony malicious conduct.

"Everybody was so scared. We thought it was a drug deal gone bad," said Ronnie Simmons, a pallbearer and Mr Russ' brother-in-law.

"We almost dropped the casket."

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Rock and Glock]

"Everybody was so scared. We thought it was a drug deal gone bad," said Ronnie Simmons, a pallbearer and Mr Russ' brother-in-law.

Nice upstanding God-Fearing family undoubtedly.

[SatCong]

Nice upstanding God-Fearing family undoubtedly.

SURE!

[ccw9mm]

Something must be missing from the story (as if that would be surprising). An agreement was reached to take him into custody after the funeral was over, yet they Taser him as he's carrying the casket? Whassuupwiddat?

[Rock and Glock]

Mr Russ, 42, had [previously] failed to surrender after being charged with threatening his ex-wife, officials said. Following his father's death on November 11, Mr Russ agreed to surrender after the funeral.

When deputies approached Mr Russ on Saturday, he "went wild" and spat on the officers, chief deputy Ed McMahon said. Mr McMahon said the officers should have waited until after the service.

Nothing missing!

[retsupt99]

Obviously, the taser wasn't strong enough.
Sounds as if this guy is just another crime waiting to happen.
I'm sure his mother is proud of him.

[ccw9mm]

... he "went wild" and spat on the officers ...

Nothing missing!

I'd have been damned angry, as well, being interrupted and forcibly removed while carrying the casket of my own father after an agreement had been reached to surrender to the deputies on-site once the service had concluded.

[AZ Husker]

"EVERYBODY was scared...thought it was a drug deal gone bad"...
Sounds like the chromosomes are tight in that family. Guess they're used to drug deals going down at funerals.

[bandit383]

I agree with ccw...bad timing and bad judgement, not to say the least, potentially putting others in harm's way. I won't even mention the sympathy points he garnered...

Rick

[AZ Husker]

Nobody here knows the details. I'm sure the PD were standing by for the arrest as planned. Who knows what happened to make them advance sooner? Doesn't sound like the Cleaver family there.

[bandit383]

Nobody here knows the details. I'm sure the PD were standing by for the arrest as planned. Who knows what happened to make them advance sooner? Doesn't sound like the Cleaver family there.

Huh...I'd reread the article. Even the Deputy Chief apologized...seems pretty clear to me.

Rick

[Rock and Glock]

Regardless of the apology, which seems merited, when he spat at the officers, case closed.

Facts may be missing, but based on the article, who gives a darn. He previously failed to "show" after a prior agreement to turn himself in.

I'm sure the guy was mad, maybe rightfully. But. his behavior was not warranted.

[SIXTO]

Huh...I'd reread the article. Even the Deputy Chief apologized...seems pretty clear to me.

Rick

I'd be sorry it happened that way too, but I'm sure there was a reason for it. If he wanted to be able to attend things like funerals, he shouldnt have been a criminal.

[AZ Husker]

Again, nobody here knows the details. The Chief is a politician. He's doing what his office thinks is politically necessary. They may very well stepped on their tools, but we don't know. I've certainly seen PD overreact before. But my gut tells me there is more here than we know.

[Ghettokracker71]

(SNIP) But my gut tells me there is more here than we know.(/SNIP)

Agreed. Either way, the whole situation sounds like it turned out bad