Tasered Penn Hills Student, Grandmother Say Police Used Excessive Force
Posted: 5:28 pm EDT June 4, 2009Updated: 5:49 pm EDT June 5, 2009
PENN HILLS, Pa. -- On Thursday police said they had to use a Taser to subdue a 17-year-old student who, when asked to put his cell phone away, refused and then pushed an officer.However, on Friday, the student told Channel 11 News that police used excessive force in the incident."I was shocked; I was scared," said Shawndell Thomas. "I was protecting myself."Police said the teen was so out of control that he had to be hit with a Taser in order to be taken into custody. One of the officers suffered a black eye, and another was kicked in the groin.Thomas' grandmother, Charlene Butler, said he was unnecessarily provoked for only having a cell phone. "He didn't have a weapon," she said.Thomas faces two counts of aggravated assault and possible drug charges, police said.
Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.












Where Should We Go For Dinner?
Post An Ad, Shop Online
Find Great Deals At Half Off
The 4 Keys To Women’s Health
Search Local Dealers Online
Check Out The Top 10 Home Updates


