Jury awards $500K to family of man who died from Taser shots

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A jury has awarded the family of the Charlotte man $500,000 who died after being hit with a stun gun twice in July 2011.

The jury found that excessive force was the cause of 21-year-old Lareko Williams' death and the second deployment of the Taser was not reasonable.

Forbes was answering a 911 call about an assault that night at the Woodlawn Road Light Rail Station.

Police said they received reports that Williams was beating and choking his girlfriend.

Forbes fired his Taser when Williams tried to leave the scene, according to testimony.

Forbes then fired again at Williams, who died hours later at the hospital.

The $500,000 was for damages and the jury is now deliberating pain and suffering damages.

Statement from City Attorney Robert Hagemann on the jury verdict in the La-Reko Williams case

"Mr. William’s death was tragic yet unintended.  While we continue to believe that Officer Forbes acted reasonably in a very difficult situation, our judicial system has spoken and we respect the jury’s decision."

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