Courthouse News Service
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Man Says Cop's Taser Took His Eye

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CN) - A man taking an early morning walk says he lost an eye because a Kansas City cop shot him in the eye with a Taser, for no reason. Keith Hudson claims he had already answered all the questions officer Kyle Yrigollen had asked him, and had committed no crime, nor was even suspected of committing one.

Hudson sued Yrigollen and the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners in Federal Court.

He claims Yrigollen stopped and questioned him at about 2:11 a.m. on Sept. 15, 2008. Yrigollen was walking alone. Hudson claims that after he spoke with the officer, he walked away from him and that "without provocation or cause, Officer Yrigollen began to chase and threaten plaintiff."

"Plaintiff, facing away from Officer Yrigollen, immediately stopped, dropped to his knees, and placed his hands in the air.

"Plaintiff then turned his head to look towards Officer Yrigollen and was immediately struck in the left eye by a Taser that was fired by Officer Yrigollen.

"These actions caused serious personal injuries to Plaintiff's left eye, which was later surgically removed.

"Plaintiff was never charged with and/or convicted of any crimes related to this incident.

"Plaintiff at all times mentioned herein was unarmed and posed no threat to Officer Yrigollen or others.

"Officer Yrigollen's use of force was unreasonable in light of the facts and circumstances.

"This followed an incident in August 2008 where Plaintiff was assaulted by another member of the KCPD police force. This assault also resulted in bodily injuries to plaintiff."

Hudson seeks punitive damages for excessive force, assault and battery, failure to supervise, and emotional distress. He is represented by Brett Williams with Peterson & Associates.