MONTPELIER, Vt. -
An online petition is seeking statewide moratorium on the use of Tasers.
Macadam Mason, 39, died outside his Thetford home last month minutes after being struck in the chest with a Taser by a Vermont State Trooper. It's still unclear if the jolt played any role in Mason's death.
Police say he moved aggressively towards the trooper. Family members of the victim dispute the claim and say Mason warned the trooper of his medical conditions.
The online petition has gathered more than 850 signatures demanding a statewide timeout until Vermont adopts a standardized policy and requires additional training for people with mental heath problems. Former Vermont Governor Madeline Kunin signed the petition.
"We need training, we need thought, and if we are going to use them, we have to find out if they are being used properly," she said.
Once the petition has 1,000 signatures it will be given to Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont. He is opposed to the moratorium, but does feel the policies need to be reviewed.
