Louisiana Cop Indicted, Faces 45 Years in Prison for Tasering Handcuffed Suspect to Death

If convicted, Officer Faces 45 Years in Prison for Tasering Handcuffed Suspect to Death: "former Winnfield, Louisiana policeman could face up to 45 years in jail if convicted on charges he killed a suspect by shocking him with a Taser.

The charges are in connection with the Jan. 17 death of Baron “Scooter” Pikes in Winnfield, a small town less than 40 miles from Jena, the scene last year of one of the nation’s largest modern day civil rights marches."

Pikes died after being shocked with a Taser nine times, according to his death certificate. His family and community activists in Winnfield have said they want the officer to be held accountable for Pikes’ death.

Wednesday's indictment came eight months after the incident.

Officers said they spotted Pikes and took him into custody on an outstanding warrant.

Witnesses have said that Pikes was handcuffed while he was being Tased. A coroner’s report said by the time he was zapped with the Taser for the eighth and ninth times, it is possible Pikes was already dead.