Family outraged after video shows police officers laughing as they tasered man in station

A Georgia family wants justice after a newly released video revealed that Rome police officers laughed as a drunken 22-year-old Juan Porter was tasered.

Kia Morgan-Smith

Jul 17, 2018

Georgia police officers laughed a man as they tasered him thegrio.com

TheGrio has launched a special series called #BlackonBlue to examine the relationship between law enforcement and African-Americans. Our reporters and videographers will investigate police brutality and corruption while also exploring local and national efforts to improve policing in our communities. Join the conversation, or share your own story, using the hashtag #BlackonBlue.

A Georgia family wants justice after a newly released video revealed that Rome police officers laughed as a drunken 22-year-old Juan Porter was tasered.

—Teen harassed by #PoolPatrolPaula speaks out on racist attack and viral video—

The case stems from a 2017 arrest where Sherriff’s deputy, Sgt. Matthew Battle was terminated after the sheriff’s office took swift action and determined he had violated policy. But the new video shows Battle possibly wasn’t the only officer who used excessive force and taunted Porter.

The county now faces a lawsuit over excessive force allegations.

“It is outrageous,” said Felicia Curry, Porter’s mother. “It did some damage to my son mentally.”

“That’s not enough,” Curry said about Battle getting fired. “All of the people that participated in that video … I need something done about all of them.”

Porter was arrested on a drunkenness charge in January 2017. Porter said that Rome Police brought him to the jail around 5 am on January 7th after he was attacked by four men at a motel.

The video shows that just by the mere sound of the taser, Porter nearly collapses as officers laugh. Battle had already shocked him once for reportedly acting combative in the jail. Porter said he was not combative and Battle tased him because he refused to sign paperwork to have his blood drawn.

Battle then triggers his taser twice as he scares Porter and the deputies laugh.

Porter’s family says he wasn’t a threat and was on the ground. They believe it was unnecessary to tase him.

—Papa John founder claims media agency conspired to extort $6 million over n-word use—

In a statement at the time, the sheriff’s office said, “Our administration continues to keep assurance of public trust as a prime concern of our office,” commented Corporal Carrie Edge, Public Information Officer.

“Whether it involves a 14-year veteran like Mr. Battle or a new deputy just beginning his career, misconduct of any kind will not be tolerated. The sheriff’s office will continue to do the right thing even when it means exposing our shortcomings.”