( ) Video of Knox County deputy's bachelor party shows tasing, hazing - Community

Community
Exclusive
Video of Knox County deputy's bachelor party shows tasing, hazing

By Leanne M. Robicheau
VillageSoup/Knox County Times News Editor

	Email story to a friend
	Printer-friendly Format
	Add your comments
	Send Letter to Editor
	Digg this story

(April 10): Editor's note: This video has been edited, blurring faces, license plates and any identifying features, and cursing and names have been removed from the audio as this case is under investigation.

A bachelor party last summer for a Knox County sheriff's deputy where the groom-to-be was shot with an electroshock weapon, handcuffed, hog-tied with duct tape, oiled and feathered, and paraded through downtown Camden strapped to a lawn chair on the back of a flatbed truck, is under investigation by Sheriff Donna Dennison.

Party video. This video has been edited, blurring faces, license plates and any identifying features, and cursing and names have been removed from the audio as this case is under investigation.

"Frankly, I'm ashamed," Dennison said Thursday when contacted by VillageSoup about a video it had received.

Source: Maine Revised Statutes online
Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE
Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES
Chapter 41: CRIMINAL USE OF EXPLOSIVES AND RELATED CRIMES

§1004. Criminal use of electronic weapon
1. Except as provided in subsection 4, a person is guilty of criminal use of an electronic weapon if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly uses an electronic weapon upon any other person.
[ 2005, c. 264, §1 (NEW) .]
2. As used in this section, "electronic weapon" means a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to have a disabling effect upon human beings.
[ 2005, c. 264, §1 (NEW) .]
3. Criminal use of an electronic weapon is a Class D crime.
[ 2005, c. 264, §1 (NEW) .]
4. This section does not apply to the use of an electronic weapon by:
A. A law enforcement officer, corrections officer or corrections supervisor engaged in the performance of the law enforcement officer's, corrections officer's or corrections supervisor's public duty if the officer's or corrections supervisor's appointing authority has authorized such use of an electronic weapon; or [2005, c. 264, §1 (NEW).]
B. A person using deadly force when that use is for the purpose of:
(1) Defending that person or a 3rd person as authorized under section 108, subsection 2; or
(2) Defending that person's dwelling place as authorized under section 104, subsections 3 and 4.
All copyrights and other rights to statutory text are reserved by the State of Maine. The text included in this publication reflects changes made through the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature, and is current through December 31, 2007, but is subject to change without notice. It is a version that has not been officially certified by the Secretary of State. Refer to the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated and supplements for certified text.

In the video, approximately 10 men are seen outdoors at what appears to be a private property, where drinking was involved. Many of the participants are identifiable as Knox County sheriff's deputies. Someone in the crowd zaps the groom-to-be with an electroshock weapon, commonly referred to by its brand name Taser, and other men join in to do the rest of the hazing-like job.

According to a Maine law enacted by the Legislature in 2005, using an electronic weapon on anyone is a Class D crime, which is a misdemeanor, unless its use is by a law enforcement officer in an official capacity or in official training. A person may use a Taser to defend themselves or a third person or in defending their dwelling place, according to Maine law. The penalty for a Class D crime is up to one year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

On Thursday, Dennison, Chief Deputy Ernest McIntosh, Commissioners Mason Johnson and Anne Beebe-Center, acting County Administrator Jeffrey Northgraves, and jail Administrator Maj. John Hinckley viewed the video at VillageSoup's Rockland office.

"It will be under investigation," Dennison said at the conclusion of the six-minute video clip. "Everybody in law enforcement is expected to act appropriately when out in public."

Dennison said that an independent agency would be brought in to investigate to ensure the probe is unbiased.

"We just have to look into it and investigate," Johnson said.

"The key is having someone from outside come in and look at it," Northgraves said, to consider potential ethical and legal ramifications.

"It's only fair to have the sheriff look at it and make sure it doesn't happen again," said Beebe-Center.

Video clip.

Video clip.

After watching the video, Beebe-Center asked if individuals react differently to being shocked with a Taser — if it takes longer for some people to recover.

"We don't have Tasers," McIntosh said, so the sheriff's office has not addressed all the issues surrounding Tasers. Because the sheriff's office does not have Tasers, officials did not know the origin of the one used at the bachelor party.

Video clip.

Video clip.

In recent years there has been controversy over the use of Tasers and concerns raised about the potential for abuse of the weapons, and injuries and deaths from Taser use.

After the groom-to-be was prepared for the ride through downtown Camden, a cardboard sign was placed on his lap that appears to read: "Last Chance Ladies."

Senior Reporter Holly S. Anderson contributed to this story.