'Sorry I tased you' cake doesn't cut it for woman suing police officer
A woman is suing a US police officer after he allegedly shot her with his stun gun, tried to cover up the incident, then apologised with a cake that said, "Sorry I Tased You".
Stephanie Byron filed a lawsuit against Escambia County officer Michael Wohlers in May this year.
It is believed the off-duty officer showed up at the apartment complex where Ms Byron was working and fired his weapon following an argument over a cup of tea in June 2015.
The Florida woman claims Wohlers harassed her about her personal life and also bullied the other staff before he fired his Taser.
The officer has since been placed on a one-year probationary period from serving at any law enforcement agency, officials said.
Wohlers, who was dressed in his uniform, allegedly argued with Ms Byron over a glass of sweet tea in an office located in the apartment complex.
It is alleged Wohlers acted “aggressive” toward Ms Byron when she tried to retrieve the cup and fired his stun gun, which hit her neck and chest.
The officer reportedly jumped on the woman when she fell to the ground, placed his knees on her chest, and forcefully yanked the Taser prods from her flesh, court documents revealed.
The suit alleges Wohlers used excessive force and Ms Byron's civil rights, committed battery against her and caused her hardships, including physical injuries, monetary loss, medical expenses, humiliation and mental anguish.
Wohlers' attorney didn't comment on the allegations but denied them in a court document.
According to the lawsuit, the officer told his employer that he accidentally discharged his device into a pillow at his house.
Sometime after that, he baked Ms Byron a cake and her attorney entered a photo of the cake as an exhibit into the court file.
"The cake Wohlers baked provides his version of the encounter and clearly shows a person Wohlers firing the Taser at Ms. Byron. It also reads "Sorry I Tased You," the complaint reads.
The cake shows two stick figures in frosting, with one aiming something with black wires at the other.
The officer resigned from the sheriff's office in July 2015.
Wohlers' attorney denied the allegations in a written response to the complaint.
The response also said Wohlers is protected by "qualified immunity" - rights that can shield government officials from civil liability lawsuits if the official did not knowingly violate a citizen's rights while performing their duties.
Ms Byron is seeking compensatory damages, costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees.
