Geoffrey Fieger, who is representing the family of a teen who died after Michigan State Police shot a taser at him as he rode an ATV, says he fears Michigan State Police have destroyed evidence in the case.
Michigan State Police say they are close to finishing the investigation into what happened before a Detroit teenager was shot with a taser by troopers and died. They will not comment on the allegations or what evidence they have, as it is an open investigation. MSP spokesperson Lt. Michael Shaw said, “Our investigators do feel the investigation supports criminal charges, but that decision will ultimately be made by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.”
Fieger says sources tell him the taser wires were discarded. He says he plans to ask a federal judge to intervene and ensure no more evidence is destroyed.
The teen’s tragic death happened in August. Damon Grimes, 15, was riding an ATV his dad bought and let him ride. Michigan State Police saw him riding at Rossini Drive and Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. Riding an ATV on a residential street is illegal. Michigan State Police troopers said they tried to stop him for a short time but he didn’t pull over. As a result a trooper in a passenger seat of a moving squad car pulled out a taser and shot him.
Grimes was immediately incapacitated and crashed into a truck. He later died.
Family members told 7 Action News Grimes was an honor student, never got in trouble with the law, and there must have been some misunderstanding.
“Totally inappropriate. You cannot deploy a taser in that instance. That is not appropriate use of a taser,” said Chief James Craig of the Detroit Police Department.
Michigan State Police had an investigation into the incident underway, but since it happened in Detroit Chief Craig opened an independent investigation.
Michigan State Police say based on the findings of the investigation the agency has moved to suspend two additional members pending the outcome of the case. The suspensions went into effect on September 26.
Mark Bessner, the trooper accused of firing the taser, resigned from the Michigan State Police on September 22.
