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Utah man reportedly tasered 6 times after routine traffic stop

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Updated: 11/03/2009 9:19 am | Published: 11/02/2009 3:46 pm

Reported by: Chris Vanocur

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Bruce Harper stands outside of his car after a traffic stop on North Redwood Rd. (Courtesy: Davis County Sherrif)

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EXCLUSIVE RAW VIDEO: Bruce Harper traffic stop

"I still find it unbelievable that someone can get pulled over for a crooked front license plate... and somehow ends up getting tasered six times." - Mark Flores, Bruce Harper's Attorney

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News ) - Who is at fault?

This may be the key question in a federal lawsuit expected to be filed soon.

Is it the Utah motorist who questioned the authority of the police or is it the police who repeatedly tasered him after a routine traffic stop?

Early one morning in May, on north Redwood Road, Bruce Harper was stopped by a Davis County Sheriff's Deputy.

Harper was pulled over because his front license plate wasn't hanging properly.

"Stay in your car, stay in your car."

This what the sheriff’s deputy yelled at Harper.

But Harper didn't stay in the car.

The officer then drew his gun and suddenly it was on.

In fact, more than sixty times, the officer told Harper to turn around.

And more than a dozen times, Harper asked the Davis County Sheriff's Deputy why he was being stopped.

At one point, Harper even asked, "Are you going to shoot me?

When interviewing Harper’s Attorney, Mark Flores, ABC 4 wondered,

"Why didn't he (Harper) do what the police officer wanted?

To which Flores said simply,

“He was afraid."

Soon other officers arrived on the scene.

Harper was tasered once with shooting electrodes.

Then, reportedly, according to testimony at his trial, Harper was tasered at least five or six more times with the taser held directly against him.

Mark Flores: "He was certain at that point he was going to die. That his heart was just going to explode and he was going to die."

Harper was charged with what his attorney calls “resisting arrest.”

But at trial a few weeks ago, a jury acquitted him of that charge.

His attorney now says he will file a federal lawsuit against those involved for allegedly violating Harper's civil rights.

Mark Flores: "I still find it unbelievable that someone can get pulled over for a crooked front license plate... and somehow ends up getting tasered six times."

Now despite repeated requests, Davis County officials declined our requests for any sort of comment.

And even though Harper was acquitted of the more serious charge, he was found guilty for failure to properly display his front license plate.

EXCLUSIVE RAW VIDEO: Bruce Harper traffic stop

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of ABC4

UncHoot - 11/10/2009 2:11 PM

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Bottom Line: When, exactly, am I under an obligation to do everything that the police tell me? This is America, not the USSR. Watching the video, this man did not appear to be a threat. The officer seemed to be overreacting. Honestly, if I was Harper, and he told me to turn around and get on my knees, at that point I'd think, "I'm going to be executed. This wacko cop is going to shoot me in the back of the head." I'm not saying the cop is a bad guy, but it appears that both men were afraid, and one had a gun directly pointed at the other. Which one would scare you more?

LOVER - 11/10/2009 9:17 AM

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CONTINUED>>>>>What if this man had an hearing impairment and tried to communicate with this officer through sign language? If there is any supervision on these officers or any kind of monitoring system, I would hope that they would think twice before they give the position to have a fearful officer in not a standard police car with a loaded semi automatic gun with civilians in the vehicle patrolling in neighborhoods late at night that acts nothing like a respectable officer. We live in the most desired country in the world. We as American citizens have one of two choices on this matter. 1. we can turn our backs and say whatever and hope this never happens to one of us or a loved one, or 2. we can say no, this is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. This is one of the many reasons that makes this country great. That we can all make comments and say how we feel and have choices, it is still, WE THE PEOPLE. signed an American citizen

LOVER - 11/10/2009 9:13 AM

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The officer testified in court that he was afraid for his life. He testified that any and every time he is fear-full he pulls his weapon out. He said he will not holster his side arm until 100% of his commands and demands have been met. This officer withdrew his weapon 3 seconds after he stopped his vehicle. Does his superior officers now this about this officer? Do they know how he responds and reacts in certain situations? Is there any supervision on these officers? Does anyone monitor or discipline officers? Are these officers allowed to do any and every act that they see necessary to arrest unlawful people? Will they be backed up with prosecuting attorneys and protected and listened to by judges? This man survived this attack for one reason, his clothes. His sweat shirt, t shirt and jeans acted as an insulated resister, to where the constant shooting and hammering of the 50,000 volt tasers were not in full effect. Something the officers did not account for or plan on. The manufactures of the tasers should train people they sell these too that they will get a better connection under the clothing and try to get a direct skin contact. If these man had a medical or heart condition he would be dead. If this man was dead there would be no videos to observe. Had any one found out or if by chance this did go to court there would have been 6+ officers a prosecuting attorney and at least 3 civilians all testifying that this dead man was unlawful. All against one dead man’s testimony. Yes this man was unlawful driving around with an unlevel license plate breaking one of the 2000 auto laws we have. This man while in custody was never told of his infraction. Was read his rights after he was booked into jail. Denied medical attention. Had his car seized and sabotaged for three days. Never had access to a phone. This is just a small fraction of this man civil rights were violated and shows that the system is broken and corrupted.

LOVER - 11/9/2009 9:01 AM

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Well I think if you are going to be a cop you should know that along with being a cop comes the threat of being killed and ANY cop should know this going into this field so cop's need to stop being so lazy and get out and instead of trying to add to this guys confusion answer and talk to him and not just sit and yell at him...Tazer's need to GO!!! If they are killing people I dont care who they are killing they need to go!!! Sad part about this one is this guy could have so easily been killed and the cops are laughing about him resisting arrest the guy is on the freaking ground that is ridiculous!!! Maybe we need to have some kind of tazer for them cause these cops are just pure @ss's!!!

Wreckalot - 11/8/2009 10:35 AM

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This Harper guy is a moron and so is his attorney. The taser didn't even work the first time. When you are tasered your entire body cramps up and he wouldn't have been able to walk away. Tasers are a way better option than wrestling, hitting with a ASP, or shooting. If Harper was scared of a threat outside of his car he would have stayed in his car for protection. I've been caught doing far worse things than having a crooked front plate and I've never been tasered because I do what the officer says. HARPER IS 100% AT FALT. If you disagee with me why don't you try to be a cop for 5 years then argue with me

SAW66 - 11/5/2009 1:37 PM

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did the news media ever take into consideration that this man has young children and that this video could and would be very disturbing and hurtful to them to see their dad in pain like that. The media always takes into consideration their story first and the well being of others second. I know this man very well and know that he is not a threat.

Monopoly - 11/4/2009 8:23 PM

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kid shouldn't have gotten out of the car, but the cops did use way to much excess force. one or two times maybe but when there are several officers on top of him on the ground and continue to taser him is uncalled for.

LOVER - 11/4/2009 3:17 PM

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Wow you sound like a douche bag yourself ...A guy getting pulled over for a crooked license plate is not a scum bag a guy getting pulled over for drinking that is a scum bag BIG Difference here MR USAFRET. Way out of line on the cop's part!!! Someone who would wish 2 shots to the chest and one in the head is a SCUM BAG!!!

usafret - 11/4/2009 2:57 PM

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B.S.!! This guy is a douche bag and deserved to be tazered or better yet, two to the chest and one to the head. My brother was a cop and had to put up with dumb@sses like this one all the time, putting his life on the line every minute of every day. One of the finest officers in his department was killed by a scum bag that did the same thing this P.O.S. did after getting stopped for a traffic violation. Simple solution: Just do what the officer says when you get stopped and fight it in court. I can't believe he was aquitted. Just shows what our justice system is coming to and the cr@ppy state of our society.

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