UPDATE: Fan Tasered by Police Speaks Out

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Updated: 10:30 PM Nov 30, 2009 UPDATE: Fan Tasered by Police Speaks Out A Crozet man hit by a police taser outside the UVa-Virginia Tech football game admits he made a foolish mistake when running from police but says he didn't deserve the treatment he got from officers. Posted: 6:10 PM Nov 30, 2009 Reporter: Carlos Vergara Email Address: carlos.vergara@newsplex.com

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November 30, 2009

CBS19's camera was rolling as a police officer tasered a man outside Scott Stadium. The commotion happened around 4pm during Saturday's Virginia Tech vs. Virginia football game.

Michael Hogberg, of Crozet shared more information about the incident Monday. The Virginia Tech fan told CBS19's Carlos Vergara he takes full responsibility for his actions and is more embarrassed than anything else.

Although, he says he did not deserve what he got.

The 25-year-old fan says the incident started when he admittedly tried to smuggle a bottle of liquor into Scott Stadium. Moments later, he was under arrest, handcuffed, and led into a police van.

Our exclusive video shows him jumping out of the police van while still in handcuffs when he panicked. After a 100-yard run up a hill, Albemarle County Police Officer Eric Kudro drew his taser and fired, hitting the suspect in the back.

The Crozet resident immediately fell to the ground, striking the pavement at the bottom of the hill. He says he chipped his tooth and had to get stitches to mend the many cuts on his face.

He faces felony charges of escaping custody. He posted bond Saturday night and will face a judge on January 28. However, he says he will talk to a lawyer about hopefully getting the charges reduced to misdemeanors.

Police say they were justified, adding that the young man was a danger to himself because he was running in handcuffs across busy streets. They say an administrative review is underway, which is standard when police use any manner of force.

We encourage you to join the conversation about this incident.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Right is right Location: C'ville on Dec 14, 2009 at 02:07 PM

The Crozet man was drunk and resisted arrest and ran handcuffed from the police.Kudro did exactly as he was trained and used a taser, rather than a pistol, to subdue the offender.What if the man had run into traffic causing harm to innocent people?If Kudro opted to tackle the offender, the weight of the officer and the offender could have broken bones and caused more harm than just the offender falling. Kudro would have been risking his own safety and allowing the situation to get further out of control. It takes a special person to take control, stand up for what is right and mitigate the situation in an effective manner.Pushing your dumb decisions, and bad luck on a police officer that will one day, help you, or your loved ones is idiotic.It is far better to put people in jail for crimes they DID commit than to allow them to cause further harm. Jail time is the only answer for those who continue to be a leech on society. Kudro deserves better than the uneducated lashings I've seen.

Posted by: Bert on Dec 7, 2009 at 01:59 PM

Mack, You hit the nail in the head. May HSC Alum needs some street education!!!

Posted by: Mack Location: Charlottesville on Dec 5, 2009 at 02:18 PM

HSC ALUM: Wow I hope you NEVER have an emergency where you need a police officer to help you. Based on your comment I would guess that you would be able to handle it yourself since you have a "real job." You sound like a real educated person. GROW UP!

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