SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, announced that three recent court decisions have upheld the TASER(r) device as a reasonable use of force and dismissed excessive use of force claims against law enforcement officers. In the case of Willkomm v. Mayer (WI Dells) USDC W.D. WI (Slip Copy 2006 WL 582044) March 9, 2006, the court held that the TASER device was a reasonable use of force when used to gain compliance with the officer's orders in an effort to handcuff the plaintiff, comply with the officer's orders while handcuffed and to secure plaintiff for transportation to the hospital.
In Devoe v. Rebant, Slip Copy, 2006 WL 334297, E.D.Mich. (Feb 13, 2006), the officer administered a "drive stun" with his TASER device to the plaintiff's lower right back when the plaintiff resisted the officer's commands. At that point, the plaintiff voluntarily sat down inside the patrol car. The court noted that attempting to physically force the plaintiff into the vehicle likely would have escalated the situation into a physical struggle in which the plaintiff or the officers could have been seriously injured and held that the use of the TASER device was a reasonable use of force under the circumstances.
In the case of McBride v. Clark, USDC W.D. MO (Slip Copy 2006 WL 581139) March 8, 2006, an officer deployed a TASER device on plaintiff's neck while he was restrained in a restraint chair. The court granted summary judgment to the officer by ruling (as a matter of law) that under the circumstances the use of the TASER device on Plaintiff's neck was "objectively reasonable."
"These three court decisions follow well established legal precedent holding the TASER device as a reasonable use of force and dismissing excessive use of force lawsuits filed against law enforcement agencies and officers when the TASER device is used," commented Douglas Klint, Vice President and General Counsel for TASER International. "As previously noted, TASER International does not set use of force standards as this is the purview of law enforcement experts, elected officials in various jurisdictions, and the court system which must determine what levels of force are objectively reasonable in each unique circumstance. Accordingly, these court decisions not only help to shed light on appropriate legal guidelines for TASER device usage, they dramatically illustrate how the TASER device, when used properly, can help law enforcement agencies avoid excessive use of force claims and the potential multimillion dollar liability these lawsuits represent. The underlying basis for these decisions is the court taking notice of the fact that the TASER device has a lower rate of injury than other uses of force, Alford v. Osei-Kwasi, 203 Ga.App. 716, 418 S.E.2d 79 (Ga.App. 1992), and the early use of a TASER device often avoids escalating a tense and difficult situation into a serious physical struggle where either the officer or suspect would be seriously hurt, Draper v. Reynolds, 369 F.3d 1270 (11th Cir. 2004) or where lethal force would be used Russo v. Cincinnati, 953 F.2d 1036 (6th Cir. 1992)," concluded Klint.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; and (24) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.
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