Cops back use of stungun on 72-year-old

AUSTIN, Texas, June 10 (UPI) -- Authorities say they are standing behind a Texas constable who used a Taser on a 72-year-old woman he stopped for a traffic violation in May.

Kathryn Winkfein is accused of resisting arrest after Travis County Deputy Constable Christopher Beize pulled her over for speeding in a construction zone, the Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday.

Sgt. Maj. Garry Griffin of the constable's office says Winkfein was belligerent and pushed Beize into oncoming traffic after he stopped her for going 15 miles over the speed limit.

Beize reported to his superiors that the 4-foot-11-inch woman refused to cooperate and yelled profanities at him.

"She was using language I wouldn't expect any woman to use, let alone a 72-year-old woman," Beize said.

He shocked Winkfein twice with a stungun before calling an ambulance to evaluate her, court documents indicate.

Winkfein faces charges of resisting arrested punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000.