Father suing PA State Police - tased gasoline doused son - he burst into flames died

A Pennsylvania man claimed state police killed his son by zapping him with a Taser after the son had soaked himself in gasoline.

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Shawn Mohney said that cops didn't need to jolt his 24-year-old son, Levi, when they confronted him at his girlfriend's trailer in Strattanville.

Relatives said he wasn't armed and didn't pose a threat.

Levi Mohney burst into flames during the standoff and died a day later at a hospital. The father said his son suffered burns over 98% of his body.

The cause of the blaze is at the center of the dispute. Shawn Mohney is claiming the stun gun caused it, and police have said the troubled young man ignited himself.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/03/16/2011-03-16_pa_man_suing_cops_for_tasing_son_after_he_doused_himself_in_gas_son_burst_into_f.html

Geez what a horrible way to die. Victim mostly to blame but taser sure not a smart move on cops part in this situation.

Whoever pull the trigger on that taser killed this man, period.

While stupid for the police officer to shoot the man with a taser after he just threatened to immolate himself, it's quite obvious the young man intended to die by that means, whether by his hands or another. Either way, it's a suicide.

and put one between the eyes then everything is good?

The man was holding a bottle of gas and an ignition source which could be lit and tossed at the officer. It was a poor split second decision, but it was not murder.

The officer is an idiot who committed murder. If backing away never entered his mind then he should have a few decades to think it over in a nice cell.

This sounds like Suicide by Cops, though.

Sonoman

I had this Crazy GF who was rabid about that crap. I never really believed it, but she would start foaming at the mouth if she realized our phones were on while we were filling the tank.

I'm sending that to her crazy ass, right now.

Man, I put up with a lot of that shit.

Again, I want to thank you,
Sonoman

This article tells me they don't.
Jesus Fuggen Keerist.

Barney Fife was a good man. He just wasn't allowed to have bullets.

"State police said after the March 2009 incident that Levi Mohney was holding a soda bottle filled with gasoline and a lighter when three troopers confronted him.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/03/16/2011-03-16_pa_man_suing_cops_for_tasing_son_after_he_doused_himself_in_gas_son_burst_into_f.html#ixzz1GnmWBUMV
"

Now, most people that ever read my posts know I am very against cop brutality...and I still don't agree with them tazing him, BUT to say he posed no threat...isn't entirely true. I am sorry for the grizzly death...but he could have lit the bottle and thrown it at a cop.