A scar on Ralph Alexander's leg is a constant reminder to the 80 year old Liberty Township man of what he says happened to him on November 18, 2006 when two Liberty police officers responded to a burglary call at his home.
According to a federal lawsuit filed by Alexander in 2007, he says the officers violated his constitutional rights by making a false arrest, using excessive force and malicious prosecution. Alexander says he was tasered by police officers, Chad McGarry and George Bednar, when he ran out of his house with a loaded shotgun and refused to put it down. His attorney says Alexander had a live shell in the chamber for the robber, and he was trying to get it out before he put the gun down.
"The upshot was hands were laid on him. He was tasered, and his leg was open up, and he had a kinda nasty injury," said his attorney, Michael Rossi.
Liberty's police chief says he believes his officers handled the matter properly. "There is no question they acted very prudently, more prudently than they really had to. We will have experts testify so we can resolve it once we get there," said Liberty Police Chief Rick Tisone.
Alexander was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with two charges of assault on a police officer. Those felony charges were filed against Ralph Alexander in Girard Municipal Court, but were later reduced to misdemeanors and then dismissed due to speedy trial issues.
The civil case filed by Alexander is expected to go to trial March 3.
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