Judge ends stun-gun lawsuit

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A federal judge has formally ended a lawsuit brought against a central Ohio county alleging that jailers regularly used stun guns on inmates who posed no threat.

Judge Edmund Sargus on Monday concluded the case at the request of Disability Rights Ohio, the U.S. Department of Justice and Franklin County.

The Justice Department and Disability Rights Ohio have monitored the county’s use of stun guns since a court-approved settlement in 2011.

Disability Rights Ohio says the number of stun gun incidents has dropped from about 70 per year to about five per year.

The advocacy group sued the county in 2010 alleging stun guns were routinely used on inmates including some who were disabled, pregnant or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.