What are sheriff’s deputies doing tasering an unarmed man in jail?
According to Sentinel reports, on September 18th, Santa Cruz Sheriff Robbins’ Deputies tasered* David Anthony Cross inside the Santa Cruz County Jail, alleged to “control” him after he began banging his head on the cell door and “acting irrationally.” The five second “stun” charge of 50,000 volts was applied directly to his shoulder “once or twice” rather than at a distance, according to Lt. Phil Wowak. In April, Santa Cruz Mayor Mike Rotkin refused to direct the police department to open its records regarding taser use. On September 24th, a Public Records Act request was filed with the City, seeking to determine how widespread police use of tasers is.
