Family of man killed by taser sues city and Fort Worth police officer
The family of a man killed after being shocked twice by a taser has brought a Texas wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Fort Worth and the officer who administered the shocks.
The victim was 24-year-old Michael Jacobs Jr. According to the police report, Cpl. Stephanie A. Phillips, the officer who tased Jacobs, warned him that she would use the taser if he did not calm down and comply with her directions.
Philips shocked Jacobs twice – once for a duration of 49 seconds and a second time for 5 seconds. Jacobs later died in police custody. He was the fourth person to die from being tased by Fort Worth police, but the only victim whose death was ruled a homicide.
In their Texas wrongful death lawsuit, Jacobs’ parents are seeking $75,000 in damages. The suit alleges that Phillips used excessive force and that the city of Fort Worth was grossly negligent for “failing to properly train and supervise its officers in the use of tasers.”
If you have lost a loved one because of a person’s negligent actions, contact Fears | Nachawati to learn more about bringing a Texas wrongful death lawsuit. To receive free legal advice from one of our Texas wrongful death lawyers, email us at info@fnlawfirm.com or call our toll-free number at 1.866.705.7584.
