Deaf woman suing Tacoma police, Pierce County Jail

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on November 16, 2012 @ 6:05 am (Updated: 6:51 am - 11/16/12 )

A deaf woman who was tased and put in jail after contacting 911 for help last spring is suing the Tacoma police and the Pierce County Jail.

KIRO TV reports LaShonn White is seeking $4.5 million in damages for what her lawyer says are violations of 16 different laws made during her arrest.

White says she called 911 after a drunk friend attacked her, but the responding officers didn't know how to handle her deafness and they thought she was the suspect.

White says the arresting officer and his supervisor failed to provide her a translator as she requested.

They tased her and took her to jail where she spent three days over Easter weekend. No charges were ever filed.

KIRO reports White is suing Tacoma police for $3 million and the Pierce County Jail for $1.5 million for wrongful arrest, discrimination, and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing her with an ASL translator.

White says she hopes the lawsuit will change police and jail policies.

KIRO Radio's Seth Keller contributed to this report.

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
Straight from the newsdesk.
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Comments (2)


  • Add A Comment

  • smoke wrote...
    being a victim for fun and profit
    November 16, 2012 6:10 am
    OK, so the cops could have handled this better. But it's hard to imagine how she can suffer $4.5million in damages over a course of 3 days.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    "White says she hopes the lawsuit will change police and jail policies."
    November 16, 2012 8:25 am
    Not to mention make her rich. I'm sure this woman has only the public's best interest at heart.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }