Teen repeatedly zapped by stun guns faces unrelated charges

by The Associated Press and KY3 News

Teen repeatedly zapped by stun guns faces unrelated charges
» 20 Comments

Story Published: Oct 1, 2008 at 6:34 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 1, 2008 at 6:34 PM CST

By Gene Hartley

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.

Monday, Oct 6 at 2:22 PM gary ozark wrote ...

ask for the shooting ask me been convicked yet? if not this is something that must not be in this artical. peapole are not automaticly gulty do not deleave every them the polcie say and the news get everthink wroung all the time. the shooting of your great ozark police was over broad and no way justified if they are so afraid to do there job they need to find another job. if you have a child in ozark and ask them adout how the police ask toward them then you might change your mi

Friday, Oct 3 at 2:42 PM Lacey wrote ...

I think the cops took proper precaution, they are not going to stun a 17 year old boy for no reason, and i'd say by the kids previous history he deserved it. Doesnt sound like the kid is very innocent if he's shoot up people's houses.

Friday, Oct 3 at 2:24 PM In The Know wrote ...

Fact is, his loving "concerned" parents had lost custody of him. As a juvenile he was a ward of the state and had multiple felonies in his history. A good set of parents could have started this kid on the right path in life. The public is only hearing what he has done as an adult, due to juvenile records being sealed. Those "concerned" parents offered no public explanation as to why he was on 65 at 2 AM. My parents would have known where I was.

Friday, Oct 3 at 2:05 PM response to I wonder wrote ...

My sister sustained a spinal cord injury and was on life support and in a coma for 3 months. The nurses basically told my mother that she had a "new" child to raise as they either come out very violent or like a push over. When you have an injury like that you are very violent and cus anyone you see. It is a good possibility he had this happen.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 11:21 PM Reality wrote ...

I would also like to say good job to the Ozark Police Department. Only one person ended up injured, and that was the bad guy. I realize that it is easy to judge them sitting on your couch eating your Doritos, but unless you know what it is like then back off. As for Anonymous. If you didn't already know it, you don't have to live in Ozark, but I am ashamed that you are!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 11:07 PM lzrj wrote ...

When police arrive, there is no way for them to know this kid just fell/jumped off a bridge. They see him trying to get into the road while he is slandering them. People can fight with a broken back like its not broke. Ive seen it first hand. Police have seconds to handle a situation the best they can, but we all can hear all the facts afterwards and say they did wrong. Also Travis T, there are many drugs that wont come up in standard testing. I don't support criminals.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 6:41 PM WHy do you ask for a name anyway? wrote ...

They believe he shot at a house that does not mean he did GET A GRIP you guys!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 3:51 PM medic911 wrote ...

I wonder if we'd even be having this debate if his back hadn't been broken? I wonder this because I've seen people with broken backs who were extremely violent, and/or extremely mobile with no evidence of a fracture. A broken back doesn't necessarily mean that the spinal cord is injured. People with broken backs are often able to stand, fight, run, and do everything that a non-injured person is able to do. A threat is a threat. Tasers prevent injuries by avoiding the need to fight a suspect.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 3:27 PM I wonder ... wrote ...

I'm definitely not trying to excuse the behavior, however, I wonder if he suffered from a head injury during his fall earlier in the summer. I had a relative that was perfectly sane who suffered an accidental head injury during a ballgame and became a different person after the injury. The doctors stated that in her case the injury caused some damage to her decision making ability. I wonder if the kid suffered a head injury ... I'm not stating an opinion ... just wondering...

Thursday, Oct 2 at 1:50 PM Pastor Bill wrote ...

God Loves you

Thursday, Oct 2 at 12:36 PM Enough! wrote ...

The kid who 'fell' off a bridge while he was out doing stuff he ought not in July just fired shots at someone's house..... Seriously people you're standing up for him. Yeah he sounds like a good guy. Get a grip! Too bad he didn't fall head first, it'd save tax payers a lot of money.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 10:49 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Ok people seriously...even IF the kid did shoot in someones house and car why did they have to tase him 19 TIMES? The kid is has a broken back and they cannot seem to control him? Ozark police officers are idiots and everyone knows it. Yes he is a product of idiot parents, but tasering a 17 year old kid 19 times attests to how incompetent they are reguardless of the crime. What a great example our Ozark Police set-i am ashamed to be a resident of Ozark.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:35 AM Dude wrote ...

Everyone can drop your stones and realize the bottom line. What is this kid doing out at 4:00 am by himself? If he had followed the curfew laws for minors and was at home, none of this would have happened. The parents are mad? Go buy a huge mirror and look into and write "Guilty" on it. It is amazing how quickly people judge the police for doing their job. With him being out this late it will not help his case for the possible shooting. I think we do not have all the facts yet.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:28 AM Anonymous wrote ...

What is wrong with people?!... No one knows for sure what really happened and as for calling this teenager a low life, people might ought to examine their own lives and see how perfect they are! They may be surprised how other people view them...

Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:25 AM probably going to side with police here wrote ...

Did you guys know that breaking bones can release marrow into your bloodstream? Bone marrow in your blood can make you act like a violent drunk. I suspect the police had good reason to taze the kid, and I suspect that not all of the shots landed. And keep in mind that the police had ZERO clue what they were seeing -- a violent, injured kid under an overpass. They have to protect themselves as well the kid, and although stun guns aren't pleasant, they are safer than engaging in combat.

Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:17 AM syona wrote ...

Wow, some real judgemental jerks here... 1] it's not proven that the kid fired any gun... remember, innocent *until* proven guilty. 2] anyone with a head injury is not going to remember what they were doing or why at the time. 3] People who are injured often act belligerent or combative, without any real reason to. It's instinctive. I've seen it enough times at the ER I work at. Tasering the injured kid 19 times? Right out of order, someone deserves firing for that

Thursday, Oct 2 at 6:53 AM Jeff in Monett wrote ...

For those of you that think Ozark PD was wrong: What if he had killed or seriously injured someone in his little shooting spree? He can't even remember WHY he was on the bridge, definite sign of drug use! And don't use the excuse that he fell off the bridge as to why he couldn't remember. He was combative with officers after he fell, he sure as heck knew what he was doing! More than likely he was so high on meth or some other drug, that's why he can't remember! Way to go Ozark PD!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 5:01 AM Travis_T wrote ...

Well Izrj, you would loose that bet, other articles on this site say he was tested at the hospital for drugs and alcohol and he was clean. I bet the cop that zapped a 16 year old with a broken back 19 times was hopped up on steroids that cause this type of aggression.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 11:55 PM hdhdh one wrote ...

Hey Sarah! I dont hear you running your head on how bad the cops are now. Im sure you will get your chance again one day to try and slam the Cops in out community.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 11:52 PM Sling wrote ...

Poor little baby. Didn't take him long after getting out of the hospitial to get doped up and start causing trouble on the streets just like the night the Ozark Cops had to deal with him at 2 in the morning. If your one of the idiots writting about how the Cops should be sued I hope he shoots at your house.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 9:56 PM Joyce wrote ...

Sadly it is a sign of the times. Young people wake up!!! Stop living like the devil, you will surely end up in hades. Just ask my grandson....now in prison waiting on trial for murder and didn't fire the gun. He was in the wrong place with the wrong people, and a young man he never knew is deaad. 5 familys are torn apart... WAKE UP YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE FOR YOU!!!

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 9:25 PM Advocate Department wrote ...

If this young man would haved died due to the lack of help, the Ozarl Police would we be singing a differt tune. Ozark Police Depament whould have been Sued for Millions and lost. The Police does not have the right to fired their electric stun guns 19 times into a teenager whatever the reason. I have to say that the Victims Rights Critic that wrote this trash are members of the Ozark Police Department and Posting these statement does thier department not justice. I would have sued and won.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 9:21 PM mwb wrote ...

We should try to remember that all the facts are not yet known. However if in fact this person did fall[or jump] from a bridge he might be in fact biligernt, but I don't think he was at that moment much of a threat to the police or anyone else for that matter.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 9:12 PM Jason wrote ...

Has anyone talked to Aunt Samantha to get her side of the story.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 8:53 PM Victims Rights Critic wrote ...

The kid got what he deserved as far as I'm concerned. I am sick and tired of this country being so concerned about the treatment of dangerous fugitives, and could care less about the tryanny they commit in our lives. When he shot those bullets at that house and car, his right to fair medical treatment was taken away. I having nothing against cops pounding belligerent, uncooperative criminals. Maybe they would think twice about doing it again. Way to go Ozark police, I am proud of your service.

Wednesday, Oct 1 at 8:18 PM lzrj wrote ...

Doesn't surprise me that this kid now faces charges for a drive by shooting. With that and being defiant towards police, to me it clearly shows the type of person he is; A low life teen who better get his life turned around. Bet there were drugs in his system that night as well. Who knows what other crimes he has committed. I bet this changes some peoples mind towards Ozark PD. This is type of people police deal with on a regular bases.

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