Louisiana Police Officer Tasers Prisoner, Grand Jury Considering Murder Charge

Winn Parish, LA (AHN) - A grand jury in central Louisiana will decide if criminal charges will be filed against a former police officer for allegedly electrocuting a black youngster restrained in handcuffs. The officer used a Taser on the prisoner nine times causing his death.

District Attorney Christ Nevils of the Winn Parish said the grand jury will convene on August 12 to begin hearing evidence in the death of 21-year-old Baron Pikes, who was arrested January 17 on suspicion of drug possession.

Pikes was allegedly handcuffed by Scott Nugent, a former police officer and shocked nine times with a 50,000-volt Taser.

In May, Nugent was dismissed from service.

Based on an autopsy, Coroner Randulph Williams classified Pike's death as a homicide.

Williams said the victim received nine shocks while handcuffed. During the last two shocks, the coroner said Pikes showed no "pain or neuromuscular response."

The police officer admitted using the Taser on Pikes, but his lawyer argues that he was simply following police protocol "without using unnecessary force."