Protest march for Tasered man's death

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A protest in Fort Worth, Texas called for police to halt Taser use and punish an officer for her role in the death of a mentally ill man, organizers said.

Approximately 50 people, supporters of the family of Michael Jacobs, 24, of Fort Worth, who died after a police officer shot him with a Taser, marched Saturday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

"I'm really grateful to this big old crowd for speaking on behalf of my son," said Michael's mother, Charlotte Jacobs.

Police used a Taser on Jacobs after responding to a call from Jacob's parents that he was being disruptive, the newspaper reported. Police said the Taser was used because Jacobs tried to fight with police.

Officer Stephanie A. Phillips shocked Jacobs twice, the first time for 49 seconds, the second for five seconds. The first was long because the officer did not realize the Taser trigger remained on, Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani, said.

Jacobs' family filed a wrongful-death suit. The family's lawyer said witnesses contradict the police department's claim that Jacobs fought with police.