Taser ordered to pay damages

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 11 (UPI) -- Taser International Inc. has been ordered to pay more than $6.2 million to the family of a California man who died after being stunned.

The verdict by a jury in federal court in the Northern District of California was the Arizona company's first legal loss over its stun guns, The Arizona Republic reported. The company has settled some suits, while others were dismissed or decided in Taser's favor.

The jury decided Friday that Robert Heston of Salinas was 85 percent responsible for his death during a confrontation with police in 2005. But jurors decided on just over $1 million in compensatory damages and $5.2 million in punitive damages.

Taser's stock dropped more than 11 percent in price Monday. On Tuesday, the price stayed down at just over $6 per share.

Steve Tuttle, a company spokesman, said the jury verdict will be appealed.