Audra Harmon and her young children were stopped in January by Deputy Sean Andrews. She was stopped for speeding and talking on her cell phone while driving. What followed is the latest example of taser abuse.
Watch the footage and interview, then follow me after the jump.
Ms. Harmon provided her license and registration. She then stepped out and asked the officer to prove she was speeding. She never yelled or became belligerent. The officer told her to get back in the minivan (and in fairness she should have). She asked him again for proof and demanded to see the tape. He told her he was arresting her, at which point she decided to get back in the minivan. He pulled her out. She tried again to get back in, and the officer pulled her out a second time. When she asked him again to provide proof that he clocked her speeding, he tased her in front of her children. She was then arrested and sent to the hospital, where she was arrested for speeding, driving while using a cellphone, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
After reviewing the dashboard camera footage, the prosecutors immediately dismissed the case. As it turns out, Deputy Andrews claimed Ms. Harmon was going 50 mph in a 45 mph zone, but she wasn't clocked. This masterful deputy magically knew she was going five miles over the speed limit. Given the deputy's penchant for lying/exaggeration, I also tend to believe Ms. Harmon when she says she wasn't using a cellphone.
I would urge you to join me in writing to the DA's office, and to Internal Affairs, which is still investigating Deputy Andrews' behavior.
Onondaga County District Attorney's Office
Senior ADA Timothy Hennigan
505 South State Street
Syracuse, New York 13202
Onondaga County Internal Affairs Division
6660 East Seneca Turnpike
P.O. Box 143
Jamesville, New York 13078-0143