Family sues OPD after man shot with Taser, dies

ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of a Polk County man who died after being shot with a Taser by an Orlando Police officer filed a lawsuit against the police department.

Adam Johnson was show with a Taser by an officer at Universal Orlando in April 2011 and died a short time later.

The officer said Johnson was being unruly at Universal Citywalk.

But Johnson's family said he was shocked without provocation and with no legal justification and sued the Orlando Police Department and Officer Edward Michael.

"It's not unusual when the police conduct results in someone's death that the family brings a lawsuit," said WFTV Legal Analyst Bill Sheaffer.

Sheaffer suggested that a jury might have difficulty empathizing in the case.

"Jurors do not tend to award damages when someone dies as a result of tasing," said Sheaffer.

In the lawsuit, Johnson's family said Michael used the Taser on him two or three times … after he was defenseless on the ground and claimed Michael and other off-duty officers at Universal the night of the incident lacked training and supervision regarding Taser use.

A toxicology report revealed that Johnson had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

The attorney representing Johnson's family had no comment.

An Orlando police spokesman said the department doesn't comment on pending litigation.

WFTV