RCMP investigate altercation that left Taser probe in man
Paramedics were called to remove probe from man's skin
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | 4:33 PM AT
CBC News
RCMP in Cape Breton are investigating whether to charge a man who was hit with a stun gun and left with a probe in his skin.
RCMP said a Taser was used on the man last Friday after an altercation with officers.
But Hubert Gould claims the officers assaulted him first.
RCMP alleged Gould appeared as Mounties pulled over a female driver on the Waycobah First Nation, spoke to the woman, then became confrontational with the officers.
"It reached the point where he was combative," Sgt. Brian Rehill said Tuesday.
Officers were attempting to arrest Gould for obstruction, but he resisted and assaulted one of the officers, alleged Rehill.
"Subsequently they employed the Taser. It was not effective," he said.
Rehill said paramedics had to be called to remove a probe that was left sticking in Gould's skin, and a trip to the hospital was unnecessary.
Gould said an argument erupted after he asked the officers to get off his property after they pulled into his driveway.
Gould said the officers tried to force him to the ground, and then he threw one of them off and the other against a vehicle.
"I seen the look in his eyes and he was so angry and intent, and he was yelling at the top of his lungs," Gould said.
Gould said he tried to dodge away to avoid being hit with the Taser.
"I ran to the left and I ran back because I knew they shoot at the centre of the body. And when I did that, he shot and one of the probes hit me and the other just missed me," he said.
Gould said he didn't feel any electric jolt. Instead, it felt like he had something stuck on him.
Tasers are supposed to immobilize the target by delivering a jolt of electricity through a pair of wires propelled by compressed air from up to 10.6 metres away.
The RCMP said it doesn't appear that the Taser malfunctioned, but rather that the officer didn't have a clear shot.
Investigators are determining whether to charge Gould with resisting arrest and assaulting an officer.
The Mountie involved was not injured.
