Deseret News | Trooper cleared: State says Taser use justified, but other agencies to review traffic stop

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Trooper cleared: State says Taser use justified, but other agencies to review traffic stop

198 comments | Read story

sally | 9:46 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

If we obey the law, we don't have to fear law enforcement officers. It's a simple as that.

So... | 9:58 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

If Massey would have suffered complications from being tasered and had died, do you still think the uhp would have concluded the officer's actions justified?

Hitler , Stalin or Sadan??? | 10:04 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

GEE! our country is starting to look more like a bunch of war bound Nazi's on the runn. Too much communism. I'm a kid and you bigger guys really scare me. You need to give up your hateful taser-guns. This is not a war zone. I think the man should sue the police force for health damages. They should be held accountable. This cop could of killed the guy.

Comments continue below

Be a man | 10:04 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

While I feel that Gardner handled the situation incredibly bad his use of the taser was ok. Massey needs to man up and take some responsibility for his actions. Remember he was the one who started it all by speeding: A VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

whats with the hats | 10:05 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Are those police hats suppose to intimidate us or pump up their egos? In this picture they are indoors...not under the hot sun. Gardner didn't even have his hat on when he was arresting Massey and he was outside with blue skies, warm weather...why the need at a press conference?

I agree that this officer poorly communicated the law and the options that Massey had. The officers conduct only escalated the issue; and because he is the professional, requires that he is more accountable for his actions. Massey doesn't have a gun in his pocket and we all know it. Because the officer did not write "refuses to sign ticker" and be done with the incident, all actions following that are to be held responsible to the cop. He escalated the situation by having Massey get out of the car. Had he just written refusal to sign none of this would have happened.

Janey | 10:06 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

No one who watches the video could possibly call it into question by YouTube. And anyone who justifies police brutality is another rogue cop, his/her family, or his/her friends. Mr. Massey was far from being "loud" nor was he being an "idiot." The way he acted was exactly like a person who is begging the cop to look at the sign and who is fearful at the same time. No, Eric, the "loud mouth idiot" is the rogue cop. He was fully armed and ready to give somebody "a ride on the taser." By chance does anyone know what happens when you take a ticket to court? How many times does a judge side with the alledged offender? Other than expenses to take off work and get to court in whatever county or city, are there court fees if you lose? Whose word carries most weight, the "trooper" or the alledged offender? What is the most common outcome when a judge gives a verdict weighed by 1. Let the guy go and reprimand the officer, or, 2. Hmmm,, I can see the man is within his rights, but we've got to build the coffers.

To: Patience | 10:07 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

You do understand that had the UHP properly investigated this 1- weeks ago and 2- came to the obvious conclusion that had the officer followed UHP policy and procedure there would be no need for further investigations?

Maybe the problem is that UHP policy and procedures are inadequate or are simply not followed. That's what any further investigation should be looking into. 1- are the established policies and procedures adequate? 2- are they being followed consistently? If all of officer Gardner's actions were sufficiently in keeping with policy to "clear" him then we've got a problem. If the policies were not sufficiently followed we simply have a different set of problems.

Either way the UHP leadership has failed to do their job. Trying to cover their behinds is an offensive substitute for managing the department correctly in the 1st place.

To provide clarity: "If his actions weren't right then they must have been wrong". There's no middle ground. In other words there's nothing Massey could have done that should cause the officer to fail to follow "all" of the UHP's (supposed) rules.

CB | 10:08 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

After driving in Utah with reckless, careless, thoughtless, irresponsible,phone-addicted, rude and disrespectful drivers for the past 10 years, I'm not surprised that one of them got tasered. Had I one, there would have been a few more to watch on UTube. Which postig indicated again, the mine set of the 'victim',to create havoc and chaos, as he did at the scene. When you don't respect the law or the law enforcers, then don't expect to be considered a good citizen. Shame on you, Mr. Massey, you need to repent your bad behavior and be grateful nothing worse happened to you.

Steven | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Yep, knew it would go this way. That's the problem when you have the same group investigate one of its own. There was no way they would ever find against their own. It would be an indictment of the whole, but this is also. It reeks of corruption.

We all deal w/ Public | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Here's the problem. Officers like Gardner believe they are the only ones who deal with the public. Obviously there is danger for an officer on a traffic stop, but statistically, is there any more danger in that situation than for example, a convenience store clerk? Convenience store clerks are robbed at gun point and shot quite a bit. Yet, I believe if a customer was behaving like Massey and the clerk tasered him- the police would likely charge the clerk w/ assult and the clerk would likely get fired and the public would be outraged at the clerk just like at Gardner.

Sadly, I believe that a convenience store clerk can handle working in his/her dangerous environment better than Gardner did- and Gardner was "trained" to work with the public. Most of us work with the public (good and bad) we just don't taser everyone that might bruise our egos. It is obvious to most everyone that Massey wasn't a danger. Hence the public outrage. UHP's reaction and support of Gardner demonstrates a very disturbing way of thinking that apparently runs all of the way to the top. We should make a change at UHP brass.

Anonymous | 10:11 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Procedure and sham reviews aside (should all juries in criminal trials consist of convicted felons...a form of peer review?) I wonder if we don't put too much trust in the cops. Especially here, in hyperconservative land. Sure, they're the thin blue line and all the other hyperbole, but sometimes we should be prepared to accept that they do stuff that is just wrong and not only when the tape is running. Every now and again that claim from an arrested person of excessive force or planted evidence might be true, but we always dismiss it, ultimately empowering the cops to become crooked. Policing should be about doing what's right, not what you can get away with.

Pamela | 10:13 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

There is only one reason Gardner asked Massey to get out of his vehicle, and that is because he wanted to personally dole out punishment on him. He could have, and should have just written "refused to sign" on the ticket. Instead he got angry, as power-hungry cops do, commanded the man out of his vehicle, then immediately pulled his taser on the man for doing so. From Gardner's joking and even taunting comments, it is clear his intent was to punish, harm, and scare Massey by exerting his power over him. Gardner knows he was never in danger, as does anybody that watched the video. Massey is not completely innocent, but this is a crooked cop, and the UHP is crooked for covering it up. Sue their pants off Massey. If I am on the jury, you will win.

The verdict is in... | 10:17 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Avoid Utah at all costs. The UHP is just as bad as Louisiana! Small town power trippers.

Bill, I took the ride | 10:19 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I had the privilege of riding along with the Washington State Patrol, Trooper Barry I believe. In each stop the trooper made he treated the all of the people with total respect. Including a drunk driver who had just crashed into another car, he was the only one that was arrested that night, but was still treated with respect whether he deserved it or not. What he got in return was respect from those he stopped.

Officer Gardner should have been more professional when dealing with someone who has no respect for others. He could have put "refused to sign", I have seen many tickets sent in to be processed like that.
However with that said, once Massey was out of the vehicle he should have done as he was told.

Both little boys need to learn how to respect others.

Concerned Citizen | 10:20 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Now it has been confirmed that the taser was fired twice! I suspect that the lawyer helped edit the video. It would be interesting to see that section of the video. A person is on the highway, head has been gashed from the fall, after being shoot with 50,000 volts, and then is fired on again?

While the driver showed a high degree of "something" not very smart, the trooper is the trained professional. Lawful and reasonable may be the initial finding but Utah still ha a PR debacle.

For the trooper, UHP will need to find him a desk job. Last thing UHP needs is some jerk to remind him about the taser incidient at future traffic stops. Who knows what would happen then?

On a final note, I didn't note any comment about the search of the vehicle at the end. Maybe the tape edited out the trooper stating probable cause or asking permission. Would like to know about the finding in this area.

former officer | 10:23 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The stop was for an INFRACTION! The Officer should have advised the driver that by signing the ticket it was not an admission of guilt but just a promise to appear in court. A even if the driver refused to sign and just went home, the court would file a long-form complaint and subpoena the driver to court with a more severe penalty. But a tazer was definitely not warranted. Troopers have these problems all the time. The blue line is alive and well!

police state | 10:24 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Poor, poor Sally.
The authoritarians with their violent means, have got you where they want you: frightened, intimidated and all too willing to accept a fascist police state.
May God help us.

UHP isn't bad | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Try the LAPD on for size. Now there is a department in need of help. People need to quit saying they won't come to Utah over this. If you obey the basic traffic laws or all laws for that matter you will not have to deal with law enforcement. Oh and would anyone care to debate if the University of Florida Police were justified in their Tasering a few months ago during the Kerry speach?

rattler | 10:42 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I'm glad that the UHP and all law inforcement officers are willing to put their lives on the line every day in the name of safety for me and my family. Besides the scrutiny that they are faced with in today's world. My deepest and heartfelt thanks to those who serve.
Have I ever made a mistake in judgement in my profession? Yes, of course, I'm human too. I expect that every person reading this will admit to that as well. My mistakes have a smaller affect than a trooper's might. That's the level of risk that they are willing to take. Again, thank you for being willing to subject yourselves to that risk.
Add in the human factor and it's often completely unpredictable, almost impossible to manage the risk.
In this case, the speeder made mistakes that elevated the risk and the trooper responded lawfully based on his judgement and training.
I'm glad that the UHP doesn't back down to every numbskull that resists, otherwise how safe would we be?
Serve and protect.

Blondie | 10:45 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Poor Mr Massey - Maybe if he put his life on the line every day for meger wages then he would think twice before objecting to doing 68 in a 40 mph zone. Yes, I saw the video too and this officer was only doing what he was suppose to do with this rude, know it all citizen. GOOD FOR YOU UHP OFFICER. Am I associated with the police - only through the many tickets I have had for a "heavy foot". I never once objected because I knew I was guilty and I am in my 60's.
We need more officers like Trooper Gardner. THANKS UHP and Utah Police Officers for putting your life on the line every day.

To; Trooper Unjustified | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

"No one has an obligation to sign a ticket acknowledging fault when they do not believe they are at fault. For an officer to arrest someone for so doing is ridiculous."

Really?

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt because you obviously aren't old enough to drive let alone get a speeding ticket.

Signing the ticket simply is a promise to appear in court and IS NOT AN ADMISSION OF GUILT! It usually says that on the ticket, at least the ones that I have received for speeding. Oh and by the way I complied with the officers orders because I am a rational human being.

Margaret | 11:02 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

It's interesting that everyone is assuming the driver was actually speeding. Apparently he didn't believe he was nor has he gone to court yet.

I wonder how many people reading this are aware that the US incarcerates more people than China and China has five times as many people. The US incarcerates 6 to 10 times as many people as most European countries (per hundred thousand). The US incarcerates more people than Russia and Iran. You can find the information on our incarceration rate and the world incarceration rate on our own federal justice sites and the world prison tracking sites. We are a disgrace to the free world.

The police and the prosecutors have become judge and jury and bullies.

Fearful | 11:11 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Now we can be fearful of the criminals and the police. Massey was upset and confused but he obviously had no idea he was being arrested when he got out of the car he thought he was going to explain his version of what happened and what does he see but the cop pointing the taser at him. He looked more confused than anything! For all I know Gardner was following UHP procedure but all that means is that all of UHP should be held accountable. I normally take the side of the police but this just defies any sort of reasonable judgement.

Kathleen | 11:12 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I watched the video clip a few times, I respect all of the comments posted, but the ones I paid attention to the most were the law enforcement comments, and when they don't agree with how it was done made me even more comfortable in staying with my feelings that the officer was out of line. I believe the gentleman who was tasered kept asking what he did wrong. I don't live in Utah, but I have been told many times by many people to be very careful when traveling through Utah (especially Southern Utah). Many Utahns have told us the Southern Utah Police have their own rules (unfortunately). I am sad for this because I have always held Utah in a higher standard than this, but maybe they are right. Pride, anger, Being mad at a spouse, etc. are dangerous things when added to a suit that carries such authority.

Amazing | 11:13 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

It is amazing that so many fail to recognize that the driver ignored direct commands. When an officer gives an order, it is not the time to try to negotiate--it is time to comply immediately.

Bill is right on. It could have been done better, but let's not be blind to the number of mistakes that the driver made.

PKFOLK | 11:15 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I almost get the impression the UHP thought they were putting a positive face on the situation by having several uniformed officers all lined up with a showy, official looking presentation over a silly traffic dispute.

They characteratured exactly what the American public was berating them for: Looking biased, excessively power-hungry, and coming up with incompetent solutions. While Massey might not have acted completely above reproach, it was certainly several measures beyond the hot-head, trigger-happy Gardner. I'd rather have Massey protecting me than Gardner any day of the week. The people (who pay his salary) have spoken: He needs to go somewhere where he is not a solo act and can be protected from his own character flaws.

Lynn Tilton | 11:24 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Million hits on YouTube? There must be a host of voyeurs out there.

Jeff | 11:28 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Being from Idaho, I never trusted UHP. I trust them even LESS now. And that perhaps is the most important point of this whole fiasco. When your PR SUCKS, you can clear all the men on your force for their conduct, but you still are behind the 8 ball. The State of Utah and all states need to have a comprehesive training policy on the rules of engagement. That brings consistence and confidence in the public. Otherwise, we will all just think, "stupid cops on a power trip."

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN | 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

THEY COME FOR YOU, BAD BOY, BAD BOY. YOU HAD A SORRY EXPERIENCE BY CONFRONTING THE COP WITH YOUR DISOBEDIENT BEHAVIOR AND VIOLATION OF THE LAW. SEEMS OUR CURRENT GENERATION HAS SOME LESSONS TO LEARN BY READING MOST OF THE POSTS.

EDITOR: I HOPE THIS GETS POSTED UNLIKE SOME OF THE OTHER INPUT I MAKE.

A great training opportunity! | 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

This event should be used to teach every law enforcement officer how to prevent simple infractions from becoming major Internet events. (You are being watched!) It should also be used in every driver's education class to teach the public how to respect the commands of a law enforcement officer, even if we believe we are right. Trooper Gardner and Mr. Massey both provided some great examples of what not to do in certain situations. Let cooler heads prevail and leave the playground fights to the children. I say "timeout" for both of them and no recess until they learn to play nice. I suspect we'll be seeing some renewed UHP training on how to treat the public with respect.

JOB | 11:31 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I forgot, what does the word CLEARED mean. Criminal Lowlifes Erase All Really Egregious Deeds. UHP is a joke!

Bill | 11:34 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Concerned Citizen

When a person has been arrested, by law the officer has a right to search the person for weapons, contraband etc. If the arrested person was in a vehicle the scope of the search is extended into the vehicle as well but only in the area the arrested person had immediate access to.

As for those who say the UHP is protecting one of their own. If you asked the troopers working for the UHP you would find the large majority feel that any time there is a public complaint against them the admin is more likely to side with the person making the complaint.

To say that this is part of the "good old boys" system is garbage. Again as a former trooper I have seen a number of officers fired, demoted and receive other forms of action against them for their improper actions.

The UHP are (for the most part) good people doing a difficult job under a lot of public scrutiny and rightly so. It is wrong to judge an entire department or law enforcement in general because one officer did not take the time to explain the ramifications of not signing a speeding ticket.

db | 11:38 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Matt Dillon didn't need a taser.
Speeding is a victimless offense, but quite a revenue generator for hero-wanabe agencies. Shooting someone IN THE BACK should be reasonable evidence that Gardner was not being accosted.
Taxpayer funded dash cameras were installed exactly for this situation. Court appearances are always he said/she said with the AUTHORITIES word rarely in question. (Blue curtain)
The Gestapo mindset is a direct result of the training montra received at the state established deity, P.O.S.T., EVERYONE IS GUILTY OF SOMETHING.
Massey is not without blame, questionable speeding violation, but courtesy is always appreciated. He could have acknowledged, without becoming enraged at the first response.
Both appear to be self-centered, ego-centric and confrontational generation Y. Grow up.
Welcome to the future of Amerika!!

plaasjaapie | 11:40 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

"Amazing: It is amazing that so many fail to recognize that the driver ignored direct commands. When an officer gives an order, it is not the time to try to negotiate--it is time to comply immediately."

None of this would have happened for the UHP and Trooper Gardner if he had had the wit to tell Massey immediately after Massey refused to sign the ticket that, "I'm going to have to place you under arrest unless you sign the citation."

Then it would have been game over for Massey. As it was Trooper Gardner was evasive about what Massey was supposed to have done.

From what I saw, I'd be very interested to know exactly who put up the road construction warning sign and the 40 mph speed sign (both temporary). You could see a LONG way down that road and frankly I didn't see a single sign of any upcoming road construction. Given that, the situation stank on ice of an illegal speed trap.

Phillip | 11:40 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

There are obviously a lot of law enforcement (and related individuals) posting on this blog. After reading all the "putting their lives on the line" I looked up the facts to see if this was true. I typed in "most dangerous occupations" and grabbed the top 5 sites (Forbes Magazine, CNN, a government site and other valid sources came up). Law enforcement isn't mentioned anywhere on any of them. Granted, every job has its risks.

While they self-grandize themselves, the reality is that the couple of dangerous incidences I have witnessed or been in proximaty with, the police were no where to be found (handled by local citizens) but I've been ticketed in the past two years for failure to signal (which I doubt since I do this reflectively) and not wearing a seatbelt (I was going less than a mile from my house down the street). This misfocus and lack of direction seems to be prevalent and intensifying. It may provide some insight into the ever diminishing respect being shown to law enforcement.

Respect is something that's earned.

to Fred Jones 6:11, et al | 11:45 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Yes, they watched a different video -- the whole actual recording, not just the Edited version Massey put up on YouTube.
You are the victims of his P.R. campaign to look good after he behaved like a 3-year-old.
Lots of people here on both sides are making judgments without all the facts.

J in NY | 11:49 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I have seen the video and find it interesting that Mr. Massey did not get tasered until after he asked the officer the most obvious question that we should all be asking, "what's wrong with you?" The patrol man probably felt that his authority had been questioned, so he decided to let Mr. Massey know who was in charge. This officer needs to lose his job. He is obviously in the wrong line of work. It seems like he needs to start looking for work as a bouncer, where it is okay to act like a gorilla.

Oh, and Bill, the taser was not the least harmful way to resolve this conflict. There are other ways, less harmful to take care of conflict. You do not always have to resort to force.

Just a thought about use of the taser in general. It is not as safe as some want to believe. Did you see the video on CNN.com concerning a man in Canada that died after he was tasered. Electrocution is not safe. We do this to people in the hospital as a means of stopping the heart from beating.

Training Issues | 11:54 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Now that the UHP stated that Gardner was not at fault maybe they will look inward and fix their training program.

Massey walking away and ignoring Gardner's order before getting tasered could be the only thing in favor (borderline at best) of the officer. Overall the situation showed that Gardner lacked the skills and training (or choose to ignore them because he was frustrated with Massey) to deal with a routine traffic stop.

Many have stated that Massey was childish and caused the problem but it should be the professionalism of a 14 year UHP veteran to defuse things before the taser is used.

Even if Massey had complied with Gardnerï¿½s original order and been handcuffedï¿½Gardner still would've have looked heavy handed dealing with the traffic stop.

Iï¿½ve worked as training NCO for an Air Force Security Forces squadron and this case has lack of/poor training written all over it. Gardner should know if Massey does "A" then proceed with "B" not if Massey does "A" go immediately to "Z"...it is called protocol.

Admitted wrong doing | 11:58 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

So when they admit that there was wrong doing by the officer, the harshest thing that is said is that his comment about "taking a ride with the taser" was "inappropriate" and his "poor communication". Is that it? Wow, you really came down hard on Gardner with that one. I'm sure he feels really bad with such a firm rebuke. That'll make him think twice about escalating a situation to non-lethal force again...

Obviously the UHP is incapable of appropriate discipline to its own.

how do you view your god? | 12:03 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The way people view this situation is the way they view their god:

Some see their god as an extremely punitive "do as your told or you'll be punished" figure.

Others see their god as one who is not interested in power-trips.

Lave | 12:10 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

J in NY. I would bet that given the situation in NY the officer may have pulled out his gun and shot the little spoiled brat. But then again being an easterner you are above the rules of common sense. Last time I checked most people in NY don't venture out after dark because of all the law abiding citizens that live there. The officer may have over reacted but if Massey had listened and followed the instruction he could have gone his way and cried to any one who would listen because he got caught speeding. I don't ever recall a movie from Utah about gangs drugs and lawlessness. Sure have seen alot from NY.

LP-Santa Clara, UT | 12:15 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The law is plan and simple. If you do not agree with a ticket, go to court and fight it. At the scene is not a time and place to try to have it your way, Mr. Massey. Perhaps other things could have been done, but once you cross the line, the officer is in control.
If you do not obey simple commands, consequences happen.

In the future, sign the ticket and take your case to the courts. Do not be oppositional.

An old study | 12:19 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

I am reminded of a disturbing study.

Actors, pretending to be volunteers who were hooked up to some phoney electrodes that would allow real people to "turn up the juice on them" at will.
The volunteers, thinking the actors were actually getting shocked (due to the actors' screaming and carrying on), almost all exceeded the phoney "danger zone"
on the phoney meters.
Now, what does that tell you about some people?

Anonymous | 12:45 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

People in authority positions love to use their authority.
Put a weapon into somebody's hands and if that somebody is a little, uh, unbalanced, it's perfectly okay because he has the law of the land behind him.
Remember the character "Little Bill" in the Best Picture of the Year - "The Unforgiven"?

Pablo | 12:52 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

The comments supporting this rogue officer are truly frightening. It is people like that who blindly, unquestioningly obey any command, no matter how unlaweful, from a person "in authority" without questioning, that will eventually lead to U.S. citizens losing all their civil rights. Protect and serve, not harrass and injure. We should absolutely hold our public servants responsible for egregious, fascist, criminal behavior. Citizens blindly following unlaweful orders from public servants is how dictatorships and fascist regimes gain ground. It seems almost like a national sickness that we are allowing our civil rights to be taken away bit by bit simply for the sake of feeling a little more safe, and fascist police who think they are above the law and have no criminal repurcussions for any actions no matter how criminal are a symptom of a free society that is slowly getting sick and dying. People who have the mindset that this officer in any way acted appropriately are a huge part of this national sickness. To blindly follow your government and it's entities, no matter how outrageous their ideas and behaviors is un-American and cowardly. Have the guts to stand up for our civil rights.

truthmonger | 1:06 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

So the officer is found innocent by his peers, what does that prove.

The people have spoken and say otherwise.

This officer was obviously gun happy. It was clearly not a dangerous situation.

Authority is a scary thing.

Exactly how much authority do we want give the police?

Are the allowed to order people around without limit?

Let's not give the police a blank check to do what ever they want.

Authority, power, will always be abused.

Milgram Experiment | 1:24 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Re: "An old study"

The Milgram experiment was a seminal series of social psychology experiments conducted by Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram, which measured the willingness of study participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts that conflicted with their personal conscience.

The Milgram experiment and horrific results may reflect why there are people who condone anything an authority figure says or does.

Even cops who electrocute people.

Disappointed | 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Considering the circumstances at the time the officer used the taser, I think he was justified to do so - Massey should have just obeyed the officers commands. However, the officer shouldn't have been so opposed to a conversation with Massey, and at least tried to answer his simple questions. Why couldn't the trooper have just told Massey his speed? Isn't that one of the first things an officer does when stopping someone for a speeding violation? Massey definitely had a right to know. I also think Gardner over reacted to Massey's refusal to sign the ticket. And who knows? Maybe Massey would have finally complied if the officer wasn't so stubborn not to talk to him! If things would have been handled much better, up to this point, then none of this would have happened. I think both men let their egos get the best of them and boy are they paying the price!

HAROLD | 1:45 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

ANYONE THAT FLAUNTS THE LAW WITH SUCH LITTLE RESPECT FOR OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IN JAIL. HE IS A POOR EXAMPLE OF AN AMERICAN AND UTAH CITIZEN!

Janey | 1:53 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Please please please stop bringing up the officers' lives being on the line. I never in a hundred years thought I would say that but excuse me, many many people are killed by police when they are only holding a cell phone or a hairbrush, etc. Even little babies are killed if they are being held by a guy who appears to be threatening a cop. (Denver Swat Team kills 18 mos old baby girl by firing through her to get to her father.) Innocent lives are on the line around cops who shoot first, ask later. Real people whose lives are commonly on the line are the convenience store clerks who stay up all night to serve us when we need milk or bread or meds. They are shot or stabbed and die far, far more often than policemen or especially patrolmen. To all you officers etc. who post and support a rogue cop, don't think you have a monopoly on being endangered. Firemen, God bless them, often die in the line of duty. All they have is a waterhose and a suit which will hopefully save them and the child they carry out. No cowardly tasers.

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