Madison NORML

It would be a lot better use of our finite criminal justice resources to concentrate on real crime rather than low-level drug offenses. Overuse of force as detailed in this case raises obvious civil rights issues, and has a negative effect on police-community relations. In a more sensible world, this incident would never have had to happen in the first place. With a civil suit apparently on the way, taxpayers will be paying an even higher price for the lack of policies that reduce the harm of substance use, not exacerbate them.

From the Feb. 24, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Author: Associated Press

TASERED MAN WHO CAUGHT FIRE GETS PRISON TIME

Kenosha - A man whose head caught fire when police simultaneously zapped him with pepper spray and a Taser gun during his arrest last summer faces prison time after being sentenced on a drug charge in the same incident.

Kenosha County Circuit Judge Anthony Milisauskas, who sentenced Lloyd King this week, said the fire "has nothing to do with the resisting charges or the obstruction or whatever happened that day in Kenosha."

King, 28, of Racine, was arrested Aug. 1 during a traffic stop. Police said he put drugs in his mouth, resisted arrest and wouldn't spit out the marijuana he was chewing after being handcuffed.

When officers tried to subdue him, the Taser charge ignited the pepper spray and set his head on fire. Police said at the time that using both techniques at the same time violated departmental policy.

King, who was treated for minor burns to the head and torso, has a pending negligence claim against the city - a first step in a possible lawsuit.

He was released from prison five months before the incident, having been sentenced in a 2002 drug case to three years in prison, plus two years extended supervision and five years' probation.

In a plea deal earlier this month, King pleaded no contest to possession of marijuana, and charges of cocaine possession, resisting arrest and battery to an officer were dismissed.

The judge revoked his supervised release and sentenced him to 14 months and 12 days in prison, with credit for 205 days already served. He also must serve another five years of probation ordered in 2002.

Information from: Kenosha News, http:// www.kenoshacounty.com