0 Excessive force lawsuit filed after officer tases Arkansas man

Did a Blytheville, Arkansas police officer use unnecessary and excessive force during an arrest? That's the question at the heart of a lawsuit filed against the city of Blytheville, the police chief and the officer involved in a tasing incident.

The man suing the city claims an officer unlawfully arrested, assaulted and harassed him. He also he has suffered pain, public embarrassment and permanent shoulder injury as a result of being tased in the back.

On July 4, Blytheville Police Officer Stephen Sigman got out of his car to check on a domestic situation. According to the lawsuit, a woman claimed her ex-boyfriend wasn't allowing her to get her clothes inside his apartment.

In the video Officer Sigman approaches the plaintiff, Chardrick Mitchell, and asks him why he’s not allowing his ex-girlfriend inside his home. Soon after, Sigman asks for Mitchell’s name and says if he doesn’t get it he’ll arrest Mitchell for obstruction.

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In the video, Mitchell does not give his name for 30 seconds and he begins to walk away. At that point, Officer Sigman says, “Turn around, (fires his taser) you're around arrest.”

After Mitchell is tased, Officer Sigman calls for his hands behind his back. Nearby friends being asking why the officer used his taser.

“I said he's under arrest, he kept walking,” replies Officer Sigman.

“Man you never told me I was under arrest,” Mitchell said from the ground.

“I said you were under arrest. It's on video,” Officer Sigman said. “It's called obstruction, I told him he had to give me his name; he refused.”

“I was finna go open my door,” Mitchell said.

“No you weren't,” Officer Sigman replies in the video.

Soon after, handcuffs came out. Just under three minutes passed from the time when Officer Sigman arrived until Mitchell was in handcuffs.

In the lawsuit, there is no specific dollar amount, but damages are cited, including medical expenses, mental anguish, lost earnings, permanent shoulder injury, bond expenses, embarrassment and money for violation of constitutional rights, specifically excessive force and discrimination.

The city, and the police chief are also cited in a lawsuit; specifically, for their alleged failure to train and correct past abuse of authority. The lawsuit states that Officer Sigman has previously shot and killed a suspect.

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