This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On July 4, 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Wilson, North Carolina, where a man named Mr. Lakey lost his life after being shocked with a Taser multiple times by two police officers, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Dingman.
According to the Lakey family's lawyer, Spencer Bryan, the officers initially claimed to have used the Taser only four times. However, Mr. Bryan stated that the charges against the officers were appropriate, given the disturbing body camera footage that showed the excessive use of force.
Mr. Bryan expressed his shock and disappointment at the officers' actions, saying, 'I have never seen a more disturbing video.' He added that the city of Wilson had allowed the officers to continue working despite their gross recklessness, resulting in Mr. Lakey's death.
The Lakey family has filed a public records lawsuit and a federal civil rights lawsuit in connection with Mr. Lakey's death. The public records lawsuit, filed in September, seeks body camera footage, witness statements, photographs, and police radio logs.
Radio logs from the night of July 4, 2019, documented a single report of a man 'screaming and running down the road.' However, there was no indication that Mr. Lakey had committed a serious offense or threatened the officers.
