Family of Taser victim files lawsuit

HOUSTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The family of a Houston-area man who died after being Tasered has filed a federal lawsuit against Harris County, Texas, its sheriff and several of his deputies.

The suit charges the county and Sheriff Tommy Thomas failed to train and properly supervise deputies in the use of Tasers, resulting in the death of trucker Kenneth Eagleton in 2006, The Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

Eagleton, who weighed nearly 300 pounds, died several days after deputies used a stun gun to subdue him when he began screaming incoherently and refused to drop a knife he was holding.

The lawsuit says paramedics who arrived at the scene told deputies they believed Eagleton had overdosed on drugs.

Houston attorney Athill Muhammad said family members filed suit to get a full accounting of what happened.

They are seeking unspecified damages and a declaration that the county's Taser policies and practices are unconstitutional.