The family of 21-year-old Baron Pikes has filed a wrongful death suit against the central Louisiana town of Winnfield. Pikes was allegedly shocked nine times by a 50,000 volt Taser while handcuffed by police officer Scott Nugent in January. The coroner ruled the death a homicide, and Nugent was fired.
Besides the city officials in Winnfield, who are accused of civil rights violations, and Nugent, Taser Inc. was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, filed by Latrina Thomas, mother of Pikes’ four-year-old son. The federal lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory fees, plus fees and expenses.
Nugent is appealing his firing, and his lawyer places the blame on the town of Winnfield, claiming in part that Winnfield failed to properly train and supervise its officers. This echoes one of the claims made in Latrina Thomas’s suit.
Since the death of Pikes, who was arrested on a charge of selling cocaine, some things about Nugent and the town of Winnfield have come out that seem to make his defense a little more difficult:
- Tasers were used 14 times the first year they were given to Winnfield police to use
- 12 of those 14 times, Tasers were used against African-Americans
- Ten of those 12 times, the Taser was used by Nugent
Another interesting fact: Baron Pikes is the first cousin to Mychal Bell, one of the Jena Six.
If you have lost a loved one due to another’s willful or negligent acts, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.
