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Complicated question
TL;DR: basically yes
Longer answer: Tasers have 2 modes, "drive-stun" (requires close contact) and "probe" (distance fire)
Probe mode uses 1-shot cartridges (which can be for 3 diff distances), and each Taser can hold 1-3 cartridges depending on model
1/ https://twitter.com/jonatha89178139/status/1273379440580538368
TL;DR: basically yes
Longer answer: Tasers have 2 modes, "drive-stun" (requires close contact) and "probe" (distance fire)
Probe mode uses 1-shot cartridges (which can be for 3 diff distances), and each Taser can hold 1-3 cartridges depending on model
1/ https://twitter.com/jonatha89178139/status/1273379440580538368
Probe mode stops working once all the cartridges are used. They can be easily reloaded in the field (officers often keep a couple cartridges on their belts) but without cartridges a Taser can't shoot
Drive-stun can work until the battery dies
2/
@Jonatha89178139
Drive-stun can work until the battery dies
2/
@Jonatha89178139
Each cartridge is also pre-loaded with "confetti," called AFIDs (Anti-Felon Identification Disks). Each piece of confetti has a serial number etched on it, and it gets everywhere when the Taser is fired
The idea is they'll get collected in evidence after
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@Jonatha89178139
The idea is they'll get collected in evidence after
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@Jonatha89178139
Based on subsequent reporting, it sounds like these officers had 2-cartridge Tasers
So when the Wendy's security footage came out, the "cloud" you can see when Brooks fired was assumed by several folks – me included – to be an AFID cloud
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@Jonatha89178139
So when the Wendy's security footage came out, the "cloud" you can see when Brooks fired was assumed by several folks – me included – to be an AFID cloud
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@Jonatha89178139
If it *was* an AFID cloud, it means the cartridge was live and could be shot at the cops. So the debate would be over if it was a deadly weapon
Based on the conference today, though, it sounds like both cartridges were already spent by the time Brooks got it
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@Jonatha89178139
Based on the conference today, though, it sounds like both cartridges were already spent by the time Brooks got it
5/
@Jonatha89178139
If both cartridges were already discharged – something that can be proved by analyzing where the AFIDs were collected – then Brooks had a paperweight that could only be a weapon if he was in close enough personal contact w/ the officers to use drive-stun mode
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@Jonatha89178139
6/
@Jonatha89178139
Which he obviously wasn't gonna do while running away
If that's the case, easier for the DA to prove the multiple shots at bystanders were not reasonable to stop Brooks
If they prove those predicate felonies, easier to convict on felony murder of Brooks
7/7
@Jonatha89178139
If that's the case, easier for the DA to prove the multiple shots at bystanders were not reasonable to stop Brooks
If they prove those predicate felonies, easier to convict on felony murder of Brooks
7/7
@Jonatha89178139
That you can incapacitate an officer with *if you're within physical reach of the officer
Reading is fundamental https://twitter.com/entactogeneses/status/1273406196465238016
Reading is fundamental https://twitter.com/entactogeneses/status/1273406196465238016
I would think so; an officer aware enough to shout "he's got my f*cking taser" would presumably know it had been discharged 2x already https://twitter.com/raiderrocker18/status/1273405932177891329
Indeed. You should try it https://twitter.com/entactogeneses/status/1273409096755142657
No clue. Assuming the DA isn't wrong and both cartridges were in fact already discharged, my guess would be flare effect on the camera from the light of the taser being activated while in drive-stun https://twitter.com/lsatadam/status/1273405707275010049
