A federal lawsuit has been filed by a Kansas man, John J.
Sigg, alleging that Allen County Sheriff Bryan J. Murphy and former Deputy Joseph Stotler pursued and tased him for driving just 3 mph (5 kph) over the speed limit.
The lawsuit, seeking $250,000 in actual damages and an equal amount in punitive damages, was filed on Monday. Murphy and Stotler are yet to obtain attorneys. A message left on Wednesday with the sheriff has not been immediately returned. No phone listing for Stotler could be found, and it is not immediately clear when or why he left the department.
A federal lawsuit has been filed by a Kansas man, John J. Sigg, alleging that Allen County Sheriff Bryan J. Murphy and former Deputy Joseph Stotler pursued and tased him for driving just 3 mph (5 kph) over the speed limit.
The lawsuit, seeking $250,000 in actual damages and an equal amount in punitive damages, was filed on Monday. Murphy and Stotler are yet to obtain attorneys. A message left on Wednesday with the sheriff has not been immediately returned. No phone listing for Stotler could be found, and it is not immediately clear when or why he left the department.
According to the lawsuit filed by Sigg, on April 16, 2021, he was initially clocked by an Iola, Kansas, officer driving 38 mph (61 kph) in a 35 mph (56 kph) speed zone. A pursuit then began, with law enforcement vehicles from other departments joining the chase, and culminating at a car lot operated by his family. The lawsuit indicated that Sigg was unaware of the police pursuing him.
Upon exiting his car, officers surrounded Sigg, and two officers from Chanute, Kansas, drew their guns, the lawsuit added. Sigg looked at them quizzically and raised his hands, it said. However, Stotler demanded that Sigg get on the ground, and without warning, used the Taser on him, even though the maker of the stun gun had warned against using it on the elderly, the lawsuit stated.
At no time after exiting his vehicle did Sigg make a hostile motion or make physical or verbal threats, the lawsuit continued. There was no risk that the 80 year old man was going to run from the officers, and they had no concern that Sigg had a firearm. The lawsuit stated that Sigg began mumbling in a way that was hard to understand, and told an officer he didn't feel right. Sigg was treated at the emergency room.
According to the lawsuit filed by Sigg, on April 16, 2021, he was initially clocked by an Iola, Kansas, officer driving 38 mph (61 kph) in a 35 mph (56 kph) speed zone. A pursuit then began, with law enforcement vehicles from other departments joining the chase, and culminating at a car lot operated by his family. The lawsuit indicated that Sigg was unaware of the police pursuing him.
Upon exiting his car, officers surrounded Sigg, and two officers from Chanute, Kansas, drew their guns, the lawsuit added. Sigg looked at them quizzically and raised his hands, it said. However, Stotler demanded that Sigg get on the ground, and without warning, used the Taser on him, even though the maker of the stun gun had warned against using it on the elderly, the lawsuit stated.
At no time after exiting his vehicle did Sigg make a hostile motion or make physical or verbal threats, the lawsuit continued. There was no risk that the 80 year old man was going to run from the officers, and they had no concern that Sigg had a firearm. The lawsuit stated that Sigg began mumbling in a way that was hard to understand, and told an officer he didn't feel right. Sigg was treated at the emergency room.
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