[Orlando, FL] In a nearly decade-old case involving “excessive force” by the Orlando Police Department (OPD), a woman has been awarded around $80,000 for being zapped by a Taser by officers just outside of the Florida Citrus Bowl, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

Back in 2003, police were still figuring out when and where it was justified to use Tasers. On Monday, a jury reminded OPD that the potentially deadly devices were not to be used in cases where citizens were not simply listening to an officer’s commands.

Back then, OPD used the case to change policy which now says that “passive” resistance is not grounds for someone to be Tased.

A jury agreed that the officers were just following policy, but that the policy was wrong. Heather Hull – who was 23 years old at the time – was awarded 80 large for emotional distress, pain and suffering and medical expenses.

“The jury found that the city’s policy on the use of Tasers at the time was unconstitutional,” said Howard Marks, Hull’s attorney.

An electroshock weapon using electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles, a “Taser” is both a brand and a registered trademark of Taser International.

Ask for it by name.

By: Adam Rousso/Sunshine Slate

Image: Junglecat

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Sledge Hammer Autopsy: More Testing Needed To Declare Cause Of Death After … (Patch.com) Anderson was tasered twice in an attempt to restrain him while he was en route to the hospital, where he was headed for an examination after reportedly attempting suicide, according to Los Angeles police officers. On the morning of April 8, …

Firearms, biking and other demonstrations to be part of Northamptonshire … (Northampton Chronicle & Echo) Crowds at this year’s force open day will be treated to firearms demonstrations, off-road biking and a live Taser demonstration, police have said. Last year, thousands of people flocked to Northamptonshire Police’s HQ at Wootton Hall, off Mereway, …

Taser

[Orlando, FL] The Orlando Police Department (OPD) would like to make this perfectly clear: the Trayvon Martin shooting happened in Sanford, not Orlando.

Apparently, they have received enough calls – and no doubt many complaints – that they felt the need to put that message front and center on the department’s official website:

“Due to the amount of emails the City of Orlando is receiving in reference to the City of Sanford incident and in an effort to address the concerns appropriately, we would like for all who are concerned to know this incident did not occur in the City of Orlando,” reads the site.

“This incident took place in the City of Sanford, Florida which is 25 miles north of Orlando,” it continues. “If you have any questions or concerns please contact the City of Sanford.”

When contacted for this story, Sgt.Vincent L. Ogburn, Sr., of OPD‘s Public Information Office told Sunshine Slate that, ” This statement was put out to direct anyone who wished to express their concerns to the proper place.”

“There have been a few people throughout the City that have received emails expressing their concern over this incident. Mainly, because they thought that this incident took place in the City of  Orlando,” said Sgt. Ogburn, via email. “Initially, a lot of the media were reporting that it happened in Orlando.”

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Image: conner395

Related reading:

Florida shooter will turn himself in if charged: lawyer (WXEL) George Zimmerman will turn himself in to authorities in the event he is charged with a crime in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, his defense attorney Craig Sonner said on Monday.

Bill Clinton says laws need ‘reappraisal’ in wake of Trayvon Martin case (The Guardian) Bill Clinton has stepped into the furor over the shooting of Trayvon Martin by calling for a reappraisal of Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law. The former US president said the death of the unarmed teenager at the hands of a neighborhood …

Trayvon Martin

[Orlando, FL] On Saturday, Feb. 25, the hottest action sports radio show in the country – The Kevin Sutton Show – was conversating with two awesome guests, in-studio, as well as dishing it on the the NBA All-Stars, which had completely Occupied Orlando.

Man, did they take over Orlando!

This week’s featured guests were pro surfer Logan Hayes – his second visit to the show – and Donny Victorottosaro, one of the founders of the Future 6 clothing company. Hope we got that name right because that’s a doozy.

The KSS Crew – host Kevin Sutton, with co-hosts Mayra, Joe and Chris – was more than eager to get into it with their main guest, who is all of 15 years old … he even has braces. But man is he a good surfer. And believe it or not, he’s already been in the sport competitively for 5 years.

The youth are taking over the world!

Hayes gained notoriety for signing on with surfing mega-store and lifestyle enabler Ron Jon Surf Shop at the age of 10. He’s the little blond kid with the long hair that you see on their gift cards and promotional materials.

Photo: Logansurfs.com

Logan Hayes surfing Florida’s East Coast on July 20, 2011, the anniversary of the first Moonwalk

He’s practically second only to the Coppertone Girl in Florida beach-product marketing history.

“Things have been going really good,” said Hayes, who is going up to North Carolina on May 18 and 19 for a competition. Next up is the always hot Kona Pro coming up on March 8-11 and taking place in New Smyrna Beach. The Kona Pro is part of the Western Atlantic Surf Series.

The gang couldn’t help themselves in making fun of Hayes’ new hair cut, which has a more-than-striking resemblance to Justin Bieber’s famous haircut (which the young singing sensation has since chopped off).

“Don’t say that … I hate Justin Bieber,” chimed Hayes who threw his father-manager under the bus for “making” him get that haircut.

Speaking of Logan Hayes’ father-manager, Toby Hayes talked about what was up next for The Kid, saying that there will be a, “focus on traveling more … to compete against … some of the international talent.”

Naturally, that brought up the discussion of Australia and … sharks. The subject was quickly changed.

And then there’s Logan’s new sponsorship from Future 6, that deal was signed this week. That’s right, you heard it here first, folks.

Donny from Future 6 clued everybody into what the slightly-more-than-a-year-old clothing company is all about: empowering the youth that are competing in today’s action sports. You know, surfing, wake skating, MMA and all that.

But it wasn’t long before the KSS Crew turned their attentions to the ever-present All-Star festivities, which have literally taken over Orlando. You can’t get where you are going!

Photo: Gian Pietri

Host Kevin Sutton makes a point about this week’s guest Logan Hayes

“It’s crazy, limos everywhere and those huge cars … you can’t get anywhere,” said Mayra.

Host Kevin Sutton, who was at the rookie game, was impressed with the play of Mr. MarShon Brooks. I say mister, he’s just a kid.

“He’s a good player,” Kevin said of the New Jersey Nets rookie stand-out. And what about the game itself?

“It turned into a dunk contest,” said Kevin.

Second-year player Blake Griffin was also a hit with Kevin and the producer “UCF,” who felt the high-flying Griffin made it up to the fans for not competing in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest.

“He had some crazy dunks last night, threw it off the backboard,” said UCF from inside the producer’s booth.

Kevin gave Sunshine Slate an exclusive evaluation of the rookie game, saying, “not only was it an amazing game, but getting to meet 6-foot, 3-inch New York Knicks #17 Jeremy Lin was … awesome.”

The game itself started off with the introduction of Team Shaq versus Team Chuck, recalled Kevin. He also said that the rhythm and blues drum line performance “killed it” and that “Dr. Dre couldn’t touch it.”

Photo: Gian Pietri/The Kevin Sutton Show

(L-R) Logan Hayes, Donny Victorottosaro, Toby Hayes and Logan’s brother Hunter

Kevin also got a “huh?” out of when the “kiss cam” caught an older Asian couple who wouldn’t kiss on command. After an almost uncomfortable pause it splashed up on screen that it was Jeremy Lin’s parents. He wasn’t sure if it was real … or racist!

The whole experience was “worth the headache of getting into the jam-packed Amway Center,” he says.

Then the crew talked about the riot Thursday night at the Florida Mall in Orlando which happened because they ran out of shoes. Yeah, shoes. Specifically, a rare pair of glow-in-the dark Nike Foamposite One kicks that had something to do with the Kennedy Space Center and were timed to be released during the All-Stars.

The mall, which ended up being taken over by the Orlando Police Dept.’s riot squad – 100 members deep, no less – is still on lock-down, apparently.

Shoes, people, shoes!

The crew also couldn’t resist talking about singer Chris Brown, who was in town for the NBA All-Star madness and was spotted down at Jimmy John’s. Kevin had a plan.

“If I catch him … I’m gonna do a picture and when he goes to snatch my phone I’m gonna hold onto it tight and be like ‘he tried to choke me,’” said Kevin referencing Chris Brown’s recent incident in Miami where someone tried to take his picture and the singer grabbed their phone.

Kevin decided against it.

After the show, everyone went down to sponsor Hurricane Grill & Wings in Longwood for an after-broadcast meal. We love those fried pickles! They are also a sponsor of Logan’s so give it up!

See you next week.

Photo: Gian Pietri

The gang tore up some of those fried pickles at Hurricane Grill & Wings

About The Kevin Sutton Show

Broadcasting out of Orlando on ESPN 1080-AM “The Team” each Saturdays from noon until 1 p.m. and simulcast on the web in both audio-only and full video formats (via Ustream), The Kevin Sutton Show brings listeners in-the-know of the goings-on in the world of actions sports like wakeboarding, wake skating, BMX, motorcross, surfing – you name it.

Top-ranked athletes as well as up-and-coming talents stop by the studio or call in to talk about their respective sports and chat with the gang about their lives and whatever is the hot topic of the day.

Hosted by comedian, entertainer and former semi-pro wakeboarder Kevin Sutton, The Kevin Sutton Show is a lively mix of talk, information and comedy, all centered around action sports. Kevin Sutton is joined in the studio by his merry band of misfits, otherwise known as “The Crew” (Mayra, Chris, “Metro” Joe Durkin, Shane and Faithy Fun Time).

By: The Kevin Sutton Show

Images: Gian Pietri (except for Logan’s surfing shot, that is courtesy of Logansurfs.com)

Logan Hayes