Appeals court tosses $6M verdict against Taser

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court has tossed out a more than $6 million award to the family of a North Carolina teenager who died after being shocked with a Taser.

In a 2-1 ruling Friday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond upheld a jury’s finding that Taser International was negligent in the 2008 death of 17-year-old Darryl Wayne Turner. The Charlotte teen died of cardiac arrest after a police officer fired the Taser twice, holding the trigger for 37 seconds and then for 5. The jury found the company failed to provide police adequate instruction.

However, the court said Turner’s family failed to demonstrate that the loss of his services, care and companionship was worth more than $6 million. The panel ordered a new trial on damages.