Stun Gun Cop Promoted

The police officer who was ordered to Taser an emotionally disturbed man—who then fell to his death—was promoted to detective just weeks after the fatal incident, the Daily News reports. Nicholas Marchesona was told to fire the stun gun at Iman Morales, perched above a storefront, last September, even though there nothing to break Morales' fall. Marchesona's superior, Lieutenant Michael Pigott, who gave him the order, committed suicide days later, apparently racked with guilt over Morales' death. The News adds that Pigott's suicide note said Marchesona shouldn't be blamed, but Morales' family is upset about the promotion—they believe he should be fired and face criminal charges.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 13, 2009 4:35 PM

Comments [rss]

harrisonharrison

Stun gun is rather dangerous! Last month my neighbor bought stun gun from Electronic Gadgets and one night a stealer was attack by him throught stun gun, then the stealer was sent to the hospital, Luckly, the stealer was safety. So be careful! it maybe cause the people to death if you dont use it correctly.

ugh

I am not surprised. I am surrounded by incompetents at work in a hospital so why should the police force be any different.

snoopydog

The cop was following orders, plain and simple. It was not his job to evaluate the consequences. In his mind he probably could have, but that would be asking a lot for an NYPD member. His superior officer gave the order and afterwards he committed suicide. Enough for the eye for an eye bullshit.

The police and the fire department are quasi-military organizations. Follow orders or get promoted to the farthest location from where you live.

zodak

you know who else was just following orders?

Billiamsburg

One less insane criminal on the streets. i think hes earned this promotion. He should wear it with pride.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

http://www.crimethinc.com/books/evasion.html

citizenerased

I would like to think we could expect him to point out to his boss that the guy is likely to fall on his head and that they should wait for the airbag they requested, but obviously not.

handsomedevil

Yeah, it would have been nice if the officer had, in fact, hesitated from following this blatantly misguided order. I'm not super-sympathetic to the "you gotta run a tight ship" or the "but it's so scary!" defenses - you obviously gotta use your brains out there or the consequences are dire. My prescription - assign 90% of the blame to the commanding officer (the guy who killed himself), don't promote this guy, but don't fire him either.

Jen S

I hate to say it, but Marchesona was following directions. Can we expect cops to question authority in this kind of situation?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Yes, they should question authority if it is unethical and immoral to act on such orders.

Jen S

Even if they felt that Mr. Morales was threatening their lives? What happens when the cops start debating ethics and the perp hurts a bystander?

All I can say is, I would never want to be a cop. In this situation, you can't know if what you're doing is right until it's over.

Spirit of 76

Oh, come on. Threatening their lives with what? The only cop in danger was being prodded with a fluorescent tube. He could have retreated back inside easily.