Texas

Ron Parsons awoke at night and thought he saw a burglar outside his door. He slammed the door, got his gun, and called 911. Dispatcher told Ron to put away the gun and connected him with police outside. Ron came out and was told to kneel or lay on the ground. Ron refused. He was tased, kicked and punched. No charges filed except that after he made an open records request, warrant was issued and he was charged with obstructing an officer’s official duties, a misdemeanor. Went to trial and found not guilty.

Plaintiff was a mentally ill man whose mother called the police during a psychotic episode. Officers knew of his condition, that he may have a knife, and possibly suicidal. Several minutes passed and the man calmed down, sitting in a chair in the middle of a cul-de-sac. Upon arrival, officers immediately approached him and he stood up, with hands (and knife) down by his side completely still. The officer fired 4 rounds striking him once in the abdomen. P survived. Non-shooting officer lied in sworn statement and shooting officer echoed lie to initial backups.