One thing I noticed is that many of the articles are later then the ones I came across (actually came across because of another article) and some people who have read the stories have questioned the validity of whether there was a knife or not (we really won't know for sure unless the 911 tapes are released and/or testimony in the case is released) - and also whether she said she wanted to end it all (not saying she didn't - but as we haven't heard the tapes themselves, we really don't know what was said - only what the reporter said was said which may be incorrect for any number of reasons).
If you read the case documents (
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/06/24/TaserGranny.pdf ) of the filing with the court regarding the lawsuit, it states on page 3:
Lonnie’s grandmother was unable to tell him exactly when she had taken her meds, he was concerned and called 911 to ask for an emergency medical technician to come to her apartment to evaluate her.
That's a huge difference from saying he was concerned that his grandmother wanted to commit suicide.
But even if she had a knife - there is no real justification to taser an elderly person whom it appears was already being suffocated by police standing on her oxygen (I know if someone was standing on my oxygen supply I'd be fighting back to get them off it). The Police should have taken a step back to try to defuse the situation, as it seems right now they way overwhelmed someone - and really, what was the need for 10 police officers to be there. I could see 3 maybe but 10? It's not like some huge guy on crack waving a gun around threatening to kill people.
ps - I should note - and probably should have noted originally - I don't fully accept either story as I don't have a huge amount of faith in reported news stories (ie: trying to get out the story first, not checking facts, etc.) I'll be more interested in when the 911 tape is released and when / if actual court proceedings are released (I say if because it's very possible this will never make it to court) - My only feeling is that IMHO excessive force was used on an elderly, ill, (sounds like) bedridden person who, even if she was suicidal, should not have been assaulted like that.