Canwest: Tasered autistic man sues Toronto police

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news]Wednesday » October

8 » 2008

Tasered autistic man sues T.O. police

Jordana HuberCanwest News Service

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

An autistic man was allegedly punched and Tasered at least five times by

police who were executing a search warrant in his home, according to a

lawsuit -- filed by Lochner and his family -- seeking $9 million in

damages from Toronto Police.

Lochner's lawyer, Clayton Ruby said emergency task force officers used

" abusive " and " unnecessary " force against the 43-year old developmentally

disabled man the night they entered his bedroom looking for his brother

Silvano Lochner, 50.

Photos taken of Lochner following the incident show what appear to be five

sets of Taser marks on his back, stomach, and neck, though it is unclear how

many times officers deployed their devices, Ruby said. None of the

allegations have been proven in court.

Ruby called for a ban on Tasers saying said the incident is an example of

their uncontrolled use by police. He said police are employing the devices

as a " quick " and " convenient " alternative to " getting their shirts mussed. "

" I can believe he may have looked frightening, he is a large person, " Ruby

said of his client. " But he is a child and a police officer who would have

waited for 30 seconds would have figured that out. "

Lochner said Tuesday: " I told them I am , me, . " He recounted

how officers allegedly pushed and punched him and accused him of trespassing

on a neighbour's property.

Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said police " categorically reject "

Lochner's account of the incident.

© The Calgary Herald 2008

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--

Ari Ne'eman

President

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

http://www.autisticadvocacy.org