Cop Who Tasered Handcuffed Teen to Stand Trial

Pa. officer bound over for trial in stun gun case 
The Associated Press  -  May 22, 2012

SHARON HILL, Pa. - A police officer charged with assault after using a stun gun on an underage suspect has been ordered to stand trial. Colwyn police Cpl. Trevor Parham was bound over for trial Tuesday by a Delaware County district judge. Parham allegedly used a stun gun on the handcuffed teen inside a holding cell then used the acronym for "laughing out loud" in a text-message exchange with a fellow officer about the encounter. The teen testified he was arrested without justification but acknowledged kicking the cell and yelling before Parham used the stun gun on him. Defense attorney Thomas Fitzpatrick noted after the hearing his client warned the teen three times before using the device. He says Parham has a "pristine" record on the use of force and will be exonerated.

Related Background Story:

Colwyn Cop Arrested for Tasering Teen
The Philadelphia Daily News by Stephanie Farr  -  May 17, 2012

COLWYN POLICE Cpl. Trevor Parham said the movie he was making with his identical-twin brother would be “like the black ‘Godfather.’ ” After his arrest Thursday, he may be gaining the right experience to make the film. Parham, 40, of Drexel Hill, was charged with simple assault and official oppression for an April 24 incident in which he shot a juvenile with a stun gun while the boy was shackled in a holding cell, according to court documents. Parham turned himself in to county detectives and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said the Tasing, which Parham admitted to, was “unfortunate, disappointing and offensive.” Da’Qwan Jackson, 17, said that Parham arrested him after he crumpled up a disorderly conduct citation Parham gave him for refusing to identify himself after witnessing a fight. Whelan said the legality of that arrest remains under investigation. While Jackson was handcuffed in the holding cell, Parham hit him with 50,000 volts of electricity because Jackson “kept kicking the gate and calling me names,” he texted a fellow officer, according to court documents. Most disturbing to Whelan was that Parham texted the other officer that Jackson “got Tased in the cell lol.” “It’s certainly not funny to anyone,” Whelan said. An investigation is ongoing into other alleged misconduct by borough and police officials, including the acting head of the department, Wendell Reed. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Colwyn Mayor Daniel Rutland rescinded the state of emergency he declared Saturday after council agreed to no longer oppose the employment of Lt. Wesley Seitz, the man who informed Rutland of the Taser incident. In a video on YouTube, Parham talks with his twin, Troy, about a book they wrote, Mr. Malik, and a movie they are making, “Millionaire.” Both are based on the life of their father, who they claim was a private investigator and the partner of a big-time heroin dealer. In the video, the twins are wearing identical Argyle sweaters and drinking white wine. The Parhams talk about their passion for twin conventions, poetry, writing and movie-making. “We’re like Moses right now,” Trevor Parham says. “Everybody is behind us.” Reach Stephanie Farr at farrs@phillynews.com or 215-854-4225. You can also follow her on Twitter @FarFarrAway.