Police Who Tasered Student Placed on Leave

University prez calls incident at political forum 'regretful'
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 19, 2007 5:15 AM CDT
Police Who Tasered Student Placed on Leave
University of Florida student Andrew Meyer, 21, is released from the Alachua County Jail in Gainesville, Fla., on his own recognizance Tuesday morning, Sept. 18, 2007. Meyer was arrested and Tasered by campus police on Monday after repeatedly interrupting a speech given by U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.,...   (Associated Press)

Two University of Florida police officers who used a stun gun on a 21-year-old student at a campus forum with John Kerry have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation, CNN reports. Disturbing video of the incident, in which the student pleaded with police not to taser him, has been viewed around the world.

Police claimed the student has a history of staging practical jokes and was laughing after his arrest. He was hauled away from a podium as he shouted questions at Kerry, who said he was willing to answer them. The student moaned "ow, ow, ow ... oh God" as he was stunned. The incident triggered student protests. The university president called the situation "regretful for us." (More University of Florida stories.)

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