Story Published:
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:34 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:34 PM CDT
FORSYTH, Mo. -- A teenager who says Ozark police excessively used stun guns on him in July faces two felony charges. Taney County sheriff’s deputies believe Mace Hutchinson of Branson shot at a house and car in August.
Hutchinson is charged with armed criminal action and discharging or shooting a firearm from a motor vehicle. Deputies arrested Hutchinson and Matthew Kraus of Rockaway Beach on Aug. 29.
The two 17-year-old men are accused of firing a gun at a house near Branson, leaving bullet holes in several rooms of the home and in the victim's car.
An investigative report on the incident on July 19 in Ozark said officers fired their electric stun guns 19 times. The report doesn't say how many times officers shocked Hutchinson.
Hutchinson had fallen from an overpass over U.S. 65 and Ozark police said he tried to walk or roll onto the highway while police were taking him into custody. They said Hutchinson was also combative and making derogatory statements toward them.
Hutchinson was treated at a hospital for several days for injuries from the fall. His family believes the multiple stun gun shocks slowed his recovery and delayed his medical treatment.
Hutchinson says he doesn't remember why he was on the Highway F bridge or why he fell. An Ozark Police Department internal investigation concluded the officers at the scene did nothing wrong. An investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol for the Christian County prosecuting attorney is nearly finished.