Lawyer Argues That the Taser Gun Did Not Cause Death

One of the marketing features of the Taser stun gun is that it is a non-lethal weapon. In the inquiry of the death of Robert Dziekanski, the legal counsel for the Taser manufacturer is maintaining that the shocks administered did not cause death:

“… David Neave, in his final submission to an inquiry into Dziekanski’s death at Vancouver International Airport, said Dziekanski suffered from stress, fatigue and alcohol withdrawal — and would have died whether he was Tasered five times or not.

“We say it is time this uninformed speculation about the role the Taser device may have had in this case be dispelled, and the attack on Taser’s reputation end,” Neave said.”

link: Taser not responsible for airport death, lawyer argues

additional link:  Taser didn’t kill Robert Dziekanski, company tells inquiry

additional link:  Alcohol killed Robert Dziekanski. Seriously. Quit laughing.

It is Mr Neave’s contention that the death and the administration of at least five shocks were a mere unfortunate coincidence. Mr Neave seems to discount the expert testimony of Dr. Zian Tseng, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the University of California. Dr Tseng testified that Robert Dziekanski “would not have died if he hadn’t been jolted by a Taser“.

Apparently Mr Neave is not about to let expert medical testimony or the numerous deaths associated with stun gun shocks stand in the way of how he would like the inquiry to conclude cause of death.

Catherine Forsythe

A Reprieve for Six-Year-Old Zachary Christie

There is a reprieve for Zachary Christie. He will be back to school next week. In the glare of the national and international spotlight, the school board reconsidered:

“… The seven-member Christina School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to reduce the punishment for kindergartners and first-graders who take weapons to school or commit violent offenses to a suspension ranging from three to five days.

Zachary Christie, 6, had faced 45 days in an alternative school for troublemakers after he took the utensil - a combination folding knife, fork and spoon - to school to eat lunch last month…”

link: Delaware 1st grader has 45-day suspension lifted

It is somewhat amazing how good sense surfaces when the media becomes involved. It is interesting to note the 45 day suspension as compared to some sentencing for criminal matters. For example, the actress Lindsay Lohan served “at least 24 hours in jail in her drunken-driving cases“. Ms Lohan can count herself fortunate that she was dealing with a court of law and not the Christina School Board.

Catherine Forsythe

Zachary Christie Learns a Lesson About Adults

Zachary Christie must not be reading the newspapers - or following security issues online. Perhaps he is not a regular viewer of the twenty four hour news channels. It may be that he is simply too focused on lunch. After all, Zachary Christie is just six years old:

“A Delaware mother whose 6-year-old son was suspended for 45 days for carrying a camping utensil to school is speaking out against the suspension and saying he should not have to face reform school as a consequence.

Debbie Christie’s son Zachary, a first-grader at Downes Elementary School in Newark, Del., was suspended for carrying a camping utensil that contained a spoon, fork, bottle opener and knife to school.”

link: Boy, 6, Faces Reform School for Carrying Camping Utensil to School

This should teach Zachary Christie a lesson. Perhaps that lesson is that adults will apply a regulation, without consideration to the extenuating circumstances and without regard to the harm that it will do. It is regrettable that Zachary has to learn that at such an early age.

Catherine Forsythe