Mich. city to review police stun gun use

Apr 15,2009 00:00 by UPI

WARREN, Mich. -- The mayor of a Detroit suburb says he wants the city to review its use of stun guns following the death of a teenager.

Warren, Mich., Mayor Jim Fouts told a city council meeting Tuesday he had no strong opinions on the use of the devices but felt a review of the police department's stun gun policy was appropriate.

"You can't overlook the tragic death of a human being," Fouts said.

The meeting took place following the death last week of a Detroit teenager who was struck once with a stun gun during a foot pursuit.

The Detroit Free Press said Wednesday that relatives of 16-year-old Robert Mitchell attended the meeting along with anti-police brutality advocates and called on the city to halt the use of stun guns.

The Detroit News said the Mitchell family has hired a lawyer and expects to file a lawsuit.