Outcry after Texas policeman tasers 72-year-old woman

A horrified sheriff has spoken out after a 72-year-old woman who refused to sign a speeding ticket was stunned twice with a Taser gun after provoking a policeman.

Video released by Travis County Constable’s Office in Texas shows Kathryn Winkfein hitting the ground and moaning while the shocks jolted through her body after the May 11 confrontation with sheriff’s deputy Chris Bieze.

Travis County sheriff Greg Hamilton, whose office does not oversee the constables, issued a statement saying: “I do not personally agree with the actions of the deputy constable as they are shown in the video. When I look at the video I am in awe of what happened.”

Ms Winkfein was stopped for driving at 60mph in a 45mph zone just west of Austin. A dashboard camera in the deputy’s car shows the 4ft 11in OAP refusing to sign her speeding ticket, getting out of her white pick-up truck and swearing at the deputy constable.

Bieze then pushes her to get her away from traffic.

“You’re gonna shove a 72-year-old woman,” Ms Winkfein says angrily, standing inches from the deputy.

“If you don’t step back, you’re going to get Tased,” Bieze says.

“Go ahead, Tase me,” Ms Winkfein says. “I dare you.”

The video then shows Bieze using the Taser and Ms Winkfein hitting the ground and moaning in pain.

“Put your hands behind your back or you’re going to be Tased again,” Bieze yells, and then hits her with another jolt.

Ms Winkfein was eventually charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanour punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of up to $4,000 (€2,850).

Constable Sgt Maj Gary Griffin of the constable’s office defended Bieze’s actions and said Ms Winkfein was belligerent and difficult to handle.

Ms Winkfein previously told Austin television station KTBC that she did not believe she deserved to be shocked.

“I wasn’t argumentative, I was not combative. This is a lie,” she told the station.