(a Nigger is any non-white person, who is directly or indirectly subject to the System of White Supremacy (Racism) in any area of activity, including Economics, Education, Entertainment, Labor, law, Politics, Religion, Sex and/or War. A nigger is a victim of white supremacy. In the absence of white supremacy niggers would not exist.) [MORE]
A 37-year-old Black man is asking that a federal court award him nearly $1 million to settle excessive force and racial discrimination allegations against the Allentown Police Department.
Brian Morgan Jr. alleges white officer David M. Howells III used excessive force during his arrest in July 2013 by repeatedly shocking him with a Taser despite already being subdued from the initial shock. Morgan initiated legal proceedings in February and filed an amended complaint on Dec. 19.
Police responded on July 30, 2013, to the 400 block of North Seventh Street in Allentown for reports of a man pointing a gun at another man. Officers arrived to find Morgan showing what would later be determined was a stolen handgun to two other other men, according to records. Authorities said Morgan tucked the gun into his pants, covered it with his shirt and began to walk away.
Court papers filed by Morgan's attorney indicate he tucked the gun into an elastic bandage strapped around his waist.
Howells gave chase and shot Morgan in the back with a Taser, knocking him to the ground and immediately incapacitating him, according to court papers. When he fell, Morgan landed on his chest with the handgun under his body and his arms over his head and to the side, according to the lawsuit.
Morgan alleges Howells administered the shocks for at least three minutes, twice used racial slurs while Morgan lay prone on the ground and administered additional unnecessary shocks. The lawsuit accuses a second police officer of failing to stop Howells, when he arrived. It was only after a third officer arrived that Howells stopped using the Taser and Morgan was handcuffed, according to court records.
The lawsuit names the city's police department for failing to properly train its officers in the use of force and accused the other two officers of failing to intervene and stop Howells' alleged use of excessive force.
Neither city spokesman Mike Moore, nor Mayor Ed Pawlowski were immediately available for comment.
Morgan is seeking compensatory and punitive damages totaling $900,000 and court fees. The Philadelphia-based law firm of Pepper Hamilton filed the lawsuit on Morgan's behalf.
Following his June 2013 arrest, pleaded guilty to a firearms possession charge and was sentenced in April to 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped several charges, including resisting arrest, receiving stolen property and simple assault.
Morgan is currently in state prison in Northumberland County, according to online records.