Police went to an 86 year old woman's apartment because they
were told she was suspected of attempting suicide with a
drug overdose. They were armed with tasers and guns. The lady was in bed and asked them what they were doing there
and told them to get out. She was on oxygen and was peeling
an orange. Her grandson, who was there yelled, "Don't tase
my grandmother" and they threw him to the floor and hand
cuffed him. They then proceeded to tazse her three times,
leaving large burns on her chest. Mrs. Varner admitted that
she had a kitchen knife to cut up her orange. "I lay in bed,watch tv and snack like that".

Mrs Varner also testified that the police stepped on her oxygen hose and she couldn't breathe. They tore the skin
on her arms when they took her knife away from her.

Mrs. Varner is a frail little thing who looks like the
grandmother that she is. She has agreed to a financial
settlement in the federal lawsuit she filed after police
officers tased her in her own bed. " I am glad it's over
with". said Mrs Varner who is now 87.

"There is one thing I told them. I wish that every person
in law enforcement would have to take a full and complete
course in Paramedics. That way, maybe they would think
first before they shoot."

This happened in El Reno, Oklahoma and the financial settlement was not revealed Her attorney commented that he
bet that the settlement was hefty enough that the police
would not make another mistake of this magnitude.

I excerpted this from the April 6 edition of the Daily
Oklahoman. I find it deplorable and inexusable that a police officer would construe the knife that she was cutting
up her orange with as a threat. I hope that she can afford
an upmarket assisted living center now.