Trooper who tasered Jared Massey may face charges

Remember the case of Jared Massey, the Utah motorist who was tasered after he declined to sign a speeding citation and then asked questions about the alleged offence? (Also see here and here) Well, it seems that the arresting officer in that case just might face consequences for his actions after all, even after the Utah Highway Patrol announced that tasering annoying motorists is fine as far as official procedure is concerned. Says the Salt Lake Tribune:

The case of Utah Highway Patrol Trooper John Gardner is being reviewed by prosecutors in Tooele County, who will determine if he broke the law. Lawyers in Tooele County are examining the case at the request of the Utah Attorney General's Office and to avoid conflicts for prosecutors in eastern Utah, where the traffic stop occurred.
Attorney general spokesman Scott Troxel said his office has completed a fact-finding review of Gardner's use of the Taser but has not made any recommendations to Tooele County prosecutors.

Don't get your hopes up, but it's a step in the right direction.

According to another account, in the Deseret Morning News, Massey has "filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Gardner seeking an undisclosed amount of money." Here's hoping he wins.