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Ban Tasers Now Tased in the Neck I have, unfortunately, had many negative experiences with the police. I have had a gun Two friends and I were picking up some CD's from what used to be the Tower Records by Oakridge Mall here in San Jose. An officer, whom I later came to know as Officer Lira, entered the store and we soon engaged in a conversation. We had a conversation about the role of police in society that while wasn't confrontational, obviously left a bad taste in his mouth. My two friends and I exited the store about three hours later and to my surprise, Officer Lira drove up from behind the store to greet us. He harassed us about my friend's license plate, verbally assaulted me and shined his car lights in our faces in an effort to provoke us. We got into a heated argument before I decided he wasn't worth my time and got in the car headed towards downtown. As soon as we exited the property we were pulled over and while the passenger in the car was not asked for her identification card, I was asked for mine. After not receiving an answer for why I was asked for my ID as a backseat passenger at a traffic stop, he then ordered me out the car. By this time other officers had arrived and have taser guns pointed at me. After asserting my rights to not exit the car or give my ID without probable cause, I was tased in the neck and dragged out of the car. After hitting the ground and saying I was not resisting I was then greeted with three more tasings, taken to the holding station, charged with resisting arrest/ obstructing justice and subsequently tortured at the holding station. For me, getting tased was a near death experience. As you're lying on the ground with electric shocks going through you, the thought of death came up in my mind more then once. I was tased in the neck and the back, with the most painful being in my neck. It felt as if I had an open wound and then somebody rubbed hydrogen peroxide over it. Indeed, it was very painful and I would not wish it upon anybody, except for those who so cruelly dish it out to the innocent. My body wasn't the same for a few days, as I had to rest the whole next day because of the difference I felt as a result of the unwanted energy. I later was forced to plead to a 415 disturbing the peace because of judicial maneuvering. That night I endured some of the worst pain in my life and was punished for it in a court of law. The struggle continues still as I was recently arrested again for asserting my rights. This time I was video-recording the police harass a carload of youth, and the officer retaliated by arresting me. It is a long fight, but I am prepared to win justice for not just myself, but for all. Filipino Family Tased and beaten in Evergreen Valley
While some celebrated love this past February, the Custodio family in San Jose will remember the horrible incident of police brutality and misconduct they experienced on February 5th. Since then, the family has courageously stepped up to say no to police brutality! The Justice for Custodio Family Coalition (JCFC), coordinated by FOCUS, allies and friends launched the Justice For Custodios campaign on May 15, 2007. At approximately 7-8pm, Marlo (18), Romel (25) and Marilou (50) Custodio, three unarmed Filipino residents of Evergreen Valley experienced racial profiling and unnecessary force during unprovoked arrest without probable cause. Eight officers (SJPD) participated in the beatings and two officers observed. One officer slammed Marilou's head against a police car three times, which caused her to suffer post-traumatic anxiety due to the police beating. Five officers tackled and brutalized Romel. Already pacified, Romel was tasered with three weapons for forty seconds (over the usual time limit) and had to seek medical treatment for physical injury and taser burns. One officer choked and tasered Marlo even while he was following police orders. Another office kneed Marlo in the face. On the streets of San Jose, human rights violations are also heightening in numbers. The fight is not over for the Custodio family. This is a call to the broad community to uphold fundamental human rights, oppose police brutality and the use of excessive force by San Jose police officers and support the Justice for Custodio Family Campaign. Be on the lookout for any actions that JCFC will put out. If you haven't already, call District Attorney Dolores Carr at 408.299.3099 or fax 408.286.5437 and demand that she meets with representatives of JCFC and the attorneys to discuss this matter further. Tased then Shot in the Heart
My name is Lisa Martinez. I'm 37 years old and have been clean and sober for 12 and half years, thanks to V.O.S.J women's home. On May 27, 2005 my little brother Sam Martinez, age 35, was going to visit his ex-girlfriend and two sons, Gilbert(6), and Sam(9). Apparently, his ex-girlfriend called 911 and stated her ex-boyfriend was banging on the back door. By the time Officer Patrick Gerri arrived, my brother Sam Martinez was already in his car leaving the scene. Officer Gerri commanded my brother to step out. My brother did not have any weapons whatsoever. He never even carried a toe-nail clipper. Officer Patrick Gerri stated my brother was uncooperative and combative. This statement seems hard to believe because just a few months earlier, Sam was beaten by SJPD, and was still traumatized. So tell me, knowing the officer was carrying a gun, why would he be combative? There were no witnesses. Officer Patrick then shot my brother two times with a taser gun, striking my brother at close range. Not having the effect he wanted, he shot his taser gun twice again. Officer Patrick then drew his handgun, and fired it multiple times, striking my little brother Sammy Martinez to death at close range. Where was the Pepper Spray? Why did he shoot to kill? Why did he have to shoot him in the heart and in the chest? Why did Officer Patrick do this? Is he trained to take a brother from his sister? Why would he want to take a father from his kids? Why would he want to take a son from his father? Why would he take a son from his mother? I thank Jesus Christ who gives me the strength and love to forgive Officer Patrick. Justice is not murder, justice is not police brutality. I love you, Sam Tased to Death and Still No Answer
On May 25,2007 around 6:29 pm my father was pronounced dead on the scene at Vaga Bond Inn on North First Street. My father, like anyone else, was a patron, minding his own business when he was confronted by a number of officers while coming out of the shower. With no warrant and no real justification, they invaded his privacy and made the wrong judgment to pursue a harsh decision to taser and beat my father. Now, I call it like I see it, but this should not have happened, period. I did my homework after my father's death, and found that he was the fifth person to die as a result of the weapon in San Jose. My father had to be the last example recently to show the wrong doings of the San Jose Police Department. And even as I've tried to find out answers to my fathers death, the police are with-holding any information, months after the killing. This was a fatal tragedy that should have not occurred, and our family has been torn apart. Me and my brother and sisters are not taking it well. But at the same time, I have to be strong to make sure this does not happen to another family ever again. Please speak out if you have any police issues. I propose that tasers be banned and hopefully no longer used here in our community and in the City of San Jose. I am hoping the community will work together, to fight and claim back our city and for every citizen who was born and raised here in San Jose to feel safe in their home town. Again as a community, we need to fight against these violent and alarming tactics, that is literally killing our community. Donations for the Justice for Steve Salinas Campaign can be made to: Sent to: (Please note, all donations are will go to my father's private investigator, and any other legal matters.) We thank all the community for their support.
To get involved, or for more information, on the Ban Tasers Campaign, contact us at: (408) 971-4965 // svdebug@newamericamedia.org
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pulled on me by a Santa Clara County Sheriff, been cited for riding my bike on the sidewalk twice, beat up and then charged with beating up an officer and taken to the booking station for being under the influence while riding my bike. Though these are just a few of my experiences I have had in my two plus years here, the date of March 10 th , 2006 in particular will forever live in my consciousness. That was the night that I was brutally tased and tortured by the San Jose Police Department. 
My father Steve Salinas was a tragic victim on May 25, 2007 in San Jose, California from being tased by the San Jose Police Department. My father is Steve Salinas, a healthy respectable loving father, who was a born and raised San Jose native. 
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