Electrical engineer tased at his housewarming party sues Madison County deputies

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Electrical engineer tased at his housewarming party sues Madison County deputies

By Challen Stephens | [e-mail]
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on March 02, 2015 at 5:11 PM, updated March 02, 2015 at 10:58 PM

Dominique Kenebrew says he was celebrating the purchase of a new home just outside Huntsville when sheriff's deputies knocked on the door, refused to say why they were there, tried to enter the home and tased Kenebrew in the back when he refused to let them in. ... Kenebrew, an electrical engineer, today sued two Madison County deputies and Sheriff Blake Dorning in federal court for illegal search, illegal seizure and excessive force. ... The complaint filed today states Deputy Daniel Dejong "shot Kenebrew in the back with his taser, delivering a five-second electrical shock... pulled the taser trigger two more times, delivering two more five-second electrical shocks." ... Kenebrew was arrested, taken to jail and charged with obstructing government operations. He was later acquitted.

The encounter took place on Kenebrew's front porch on May 18, 2013, as about 25 to 30 guests were inside the home on Somerset Park Drive, just over Chapman Mountain in northeast Huntsville. ... The suit says guests included a nurse, two college instructors, a graduate student and a store manager, "all successful individuals, either gainfully employed or completing their education." ... "Kenebrew and his guests were also African-American," reads the suit. ... Was race a factor? "I really don't want to go that route," said Kenebrew, 28, on the phone today. But he added: "I don't think they expected me to be the owner of the house."
....

After stunning Kenebrew, Madison County deputies entered the home. They handcuffed two guests, according to the suit, "all without a warrant, probable cause or reasonable suspicion." ... Dejong says they waited on backup. Kenebrew said there were about 10 deputies there already. ... All agree they found nothing illegal. ... There were no minors at the housewarming. ... "It was determined that the patrons inside the house were not violating any laws within the residence," wrote Dejong in the original police report.
....

The suits says a different officer told Kenebrew that the deputies were responding to a complaint about a blocked driveway. Deputies did make some guests move their cars. ... "The suspect was arrested for obstructing my investigation," wrote Dejong. ... On Nov. 13, 2013, Madison County District Judge Allison Austin found Kenebrew not guilty of obstructing a government operation. ... "Dejong's use of force was completely unneccessay and was excessive," argues the suit in U.S. District Court, claiming illegal search, excessive force and illegal arrest in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment.

[jtuck004]

1. But how would they know you were innocent without tasing and arresting you?

Sheesh, people want them to be mind readers or something. It's not like we are presumed innocent, or think we should be secure from baseless searches in our own home.

What a place. Next thing you know we will have neo-Nazi's addressing Congress.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

2. Been there many times.

Not a place for someone not white.

This is the second story about Madison this month.

[arikara]

3. Is that a new one?

I've never heard of being charged with obstructing government operations. It sounds very big brother.