SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices announced that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, entered an order dismissing with prejudice the in-custody death product liability lawsuit filed by the estate of Richard T. Holcomb, Plaintiff, against TASER International, Inc. Plaintiff agreed to a voluntary dismissal of this lawsuit after it became clear that TASER International was not going to settle this lawsuit and after TASER International provided extensive expert reports from world class medical and scientific experts establishing that Richard T. Holcomb's death was not caused by the TASER(r) device. This is the twenty-fifth wrongful death or injury lawsuit that has been dismissed or judgment entered in favor of TASER International. TASER has not lost any product liability lawsuit.
"This dismissal follows on the unanimous defense jury verdict we received in the Alvarado in-custody death litigation and is evidence that our strategy of not settling and vigorously defending these lawsuits is beginning to be successful," commented Douglas Klint, Vice President and General Counsel of TASER International, Inc. "The significance of the Alvarado litigation is that it is the first in-custody death trial for TASER International and was a convincing win with a central Los Angeles jury for both TASER International as well as the City of Los Angeles Police Department. Our attorney, Missy O'Linn with the law firm of Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez LLP did an outstanding job representing TASER International in this litigation. In addition, attorneys Cory Brente and Denise Johnson representing the City of Los Angeles were extremely effective and were key members of our joint litigation team. Statistics from our customers show that the TASER device significantly reduces use of force claims and litigation. This jury verdict sends a very clear message to our customers that juries are seeing the life saving benefits of law enforcement using TASER devices in the dangerous situations they face every day," 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.
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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.