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Vermont AG's office pays $40,000 to settle suit

Associated Press - November 26, 2009 11:35 AM ET

CHELSEA, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Attorney General's Office has paid $40,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who claims he was Tasered in 2006 by state police as he was having a seizure that was mistaken as an attempt to resist arrest.

Lawrence Fairbrother, 57, of Fairlee, says he's been unable to work for years because of a disorder that causes sudden, random seizures. He was shocked by an electric stun-gun by police who had been called to assist him with a medical problem.

The incident resulted in criminal charges that were later dropped. Fairbrother sued in 2007, alleging excessive force.

Assistant Attorney General J.J. Tyzbir tells the Valley News state police deny wrongdoing. But he agreed to the settlement to avoid the risk of trial, where a jury could have awarded more money.

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