Colbert: Tased grandma should thank cop for ‘pre-fibrillating’ her

David Edwards and Stephen Webster
Raw Story
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Stephen Colbert, reporting on the mostly “non-lethal” Taser weapon, noted on Monday night its recent and unfortunate use against a 72-year-old woman near Austin.

Taking the side of the local department in standing behind the deputy, the Comedy Central host joked that the woman should thank the officer for “pre-fibrillating” her.

While on the topic, however, Colbert could not resist firing his own shocking bolt at Fox News editorialist Glenn Beck.

Highlighting on Monday night what he called the “real” first use of the Taser — shocking local newsmen on camera — he joked that the weapon had led to the creation of a new Emmy category: “Best Involuntary Spasms.”

The screen cut to short clips of Beck frantically emoting.

“Sorry, Glenn Beck, but,” began Colbert to a roar of laughter, “you have to be tased first.”


Later in his routine, during a segment called “Current Events,” Colbert discussed the very serious issue of 72-year-old Kathryn Winkfein, who was tased by Deputy Chris Bieze just outside of Austin, Texas.

The video, which Colbert did not show in full, is difficult to watch. While the woman was resisting the officer after refusing to sign a traffic ticket, he apparently decided to tase her after she said, “I dare you,” seemingly in disbelief that a large, male officer would shock an elderly woman.

Earlier this month, Austin police said that Deputy Bieze had acted rightfully in using his weapon.

“An ambulance was called to evaluate Winkfein, and she was not found to have any irregularities, according to court documents,” The Austin American-Statesman noted. “She was taken to jail and charged with a Class A misdemeanor of resisting arrest and detention, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.”

The paper added: “Taser International recommends not using the weapon on people who are physically infirm or elderly.”

“That cop just pre-fibrillated her for the heart attack she may have in the future, say, from being zapped by 50,000 volts,” joked Colbert before his conscience tased him into a commercial break.

According to Amnesty International, Tasers killed 334 people as of December, 2008.

“Tasers are not the ‘non-lethal’ weapons they are portrayed to be,” said Angela Wright, an Amnesty International researcher, in an advisory. “They can kill and should only be used as a last resort.”

This video is from Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, broadcast July 27, 2009.