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Jul 10, 2007 7:03 pm US/Central
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Bicyclist Tazed By Airport Police, Case To Court
by Bridgette Bornstein
(WCCO)
A bicyclist said his constitutional rights were violated when he tried to ride home from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
In September 2006, Stephan Orsak flew home and picked up his bicycle from baggage claim. As he had before, he started riding out of the terminal. He had a route in mind that would be safe to Fort Snelling then to bike trails but he was stopped by Airport Police who told him bikes aren't allowed.
Orsak said they argued about whether that was true and whether there were signs posted prohibiting bicycles. He said the disagreement escalated. At one point the officer told Orsak he could leave, but he kept asking questions about what would happen next time he tried to ride his bike at the airport.
"I started to cross the one lane road and I was instantly thrown off the bicycle onto the pavement. Then Officer Wingate came up behind me, jerked me up from the armpits, ordered Officer Bryant, said shoot him," said Orsak.
Orsak said he was tazed, but that wasn't the end of it. He said he looked over and saw the officer stomping on his eyeglasses that had flown off.
The officer claimed Orsak threatened to punch him. Orsak denied it, and wondered why, with so many cameras at the airport, there's no surveillance video.
"There is absolutely something shady going on here," said Orsak.
A spokesperson for the airport declined to go on camera, but did say that they believe Airport Police acted appropriately in the interest of public safety.
Now the case is in court. The trial on obstruction of justice and other charges starts July 16 in Hennepin County Court.
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