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Charges dropped against Tallahassee African American women tazed by cop

By Michael Sampson

Tallahassee, FL – State Attorney Willie Meggs dropped the charges, Oct. 10, against Viola Young and three other people who were arrested over a week earlier. Young is a 61-year-old African American woman who was hit in the back with a stun gun wielded by Tallahassee Police Department Officer Terry Mahan.

This development came a day after Tallahassee Dream Defender activists protested outside of State Attorney Meggs' office. The Dream Defenders demanded the arrest of Officer Mahan and justice for Viola Young. The state attorney office described the use of a stun gun on Viola Young as unnecessary. Meggs said he is willing to charge Officer Mahan, if Tallahassee Police Department Chief Michael DeLeo arrests Mahan.

President of the Florida State University chapter of Dream Defenders, Brian Marshall, said, “We're happy that the unjust charges against her and her family members have been dropped. State Attorney Meggs is trying to pass the buck to Police Chief DeLeo. Both of them need to hold corrupt cops responsible. We're going to keep the pressure up!”

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