Your stupidity of the day: Arrested for Epilepsy

[hummingwolf]

Via mind_hacks: "ABC News report that Oakland police tasered a man having an epileptic seizure because he became agitated when restrained. They subsequently prosecuted him for assault and disorderly conduct. You couldn't make it up if you tried."

Read the associated links for full stupidity. "The most recent report involves a Michigan man with epilepsy, who, when experiencing a seizure, apparently was unjustifiably tasered, clubbed, arrested, jailed and committed to a psychiatric facility for violent offenders -- all based on non-threatening behaviors caused by a seizure. Fortunately, he was released from the psychiatric facility (after advocacy by the Foundation and its local affiliate) and is doing well at home. However, too many other people experiencing seizures have had encounters with police that have resulted in serious permanent injuries or even death."

Happy Epilepsy Awareness Month.

Comments

[compostwormbin.livejournal.com]

Ugh that's so disturbing. I have been hearing way too many stories about police brutality lately. Well I really shouldn't put it that way. I hope there hasn't been a recent increase in such incidents but instead more awareness of the problem leading to more media attention and awareness.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Yes. It seems like it should at least be possible for someone arrested because someone mistrusted their behavior during a seizure to plead something useful other than "not guilty by reason of insanity." And then the fact that they were restrained during a seizure--which tends not to be good for someone having a seizure--and charged with resisting arrest... the case kinda pissed me off when I followed the links about it yesterday morning.

[compostwormbin.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is just completely messed up. It's hard to believe that there isn't another way, considering that seiures are disabling conditions and have legitimate disability status. There should never have been charges to begin with under these circum,stances. I hope this person has a good lawyer.