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Thanks for adding some detail on the environment this took place in, M.

Perhaps the officer was jittery from being in a reportedly bad neighborhood.

However, I think it still stands that the voltage on the taser (or possibly where it was deployed, the chest) needs to be examined.

Being a loud, drunken, college student is really not a reason to end up dead. . .

This description of college student activity is not characteristic to Oxford, Ohio or Miami University. Rarely can one find a college town or college-dominated urban neighborhood where adults and families wish to live amongst the students. This has been the norm as long as underage drinking and, well, alcoholism in general has come to be socially acceptable among young adults. Combine a high-stress, high-hormone environment, flexible schedules that allow late nights nearly every night of the week, and a wealth of bar destinations, and you get Oxford, Ohio.
This was not a "characteristically bad neighborhood" - it was Oxford's historic uptown district, which is littered with bars and night life options. It was, however, a "characteristically bad bar" - in that police are regularly dispatched to this very popular location in response to fights and overly drunken and disorderly behavior. And when I say regularly, I mean EVERY NIGHT. While being a loud, drunken college student is not a reason to end up dead, attacking a police officer attempting to make an arrest is a quite valid reason to get tazed.
Attacking the merit of college students in Oxford, and in general, ignores the unhealthy behavior that has become institutionalized in our culture and our economy, especially Oxford's economy, which thrives on the uptown businesses that said "faculty" stays away from. No one has asked the question "why was he so drunk?"
Why, with police at this location more often than not to clean up fights, passed-out girls, and generally sloppy drunk people, are we not holding bars responsible for the people they serve? Because when it comes down to it, what I'm hearing is "it's not the student's fault he was drunk," and I know for a fact that it wasn't the officer's fault he tazed the student - because I was there when it happened - then who's fault is it? Who's left to blame? Given these factors, that only leaves BRICK STREET BAR.

It saddens me to see people making snap-judgments about Miami students due to one incident. As a Miami senior, I can assure you I do not see people vandalizing cars, nor do I hear of such things happening. I am not saying that these things never happen, but you make it seem as though Miami students are rowdier than other students. Most of us come from upper-middle class families with strong morals and for the most part, we act accordingly. We are dedicated to our studies, and the saying "Work hard, Play hard" is taken seriously. I'm not sure if you ever lived in Oxford or for how long you disgraced the town, but it seems that you are delusional in your way of thinking.
I know of many, many faculty and staff who not only live in Oxford, they raise their children here and enjoy being in this town. The staff is treated with utmost respect, and some can even be seen at the bars having a good time with students. Some people take umbrage to the rowdy behavior, but they realize that we are college students. Also, if it weren't for the students, there would not be a university here... which would mean no jobs.
As far as a 3-strike policy, the university has policies that result in expulsions/suspensions if they get in trouble. Getting rid of student loans would not be that much of an issue, most students here are coming from enough money--they don't need loans. I can also assure you that police are out in full-force Thursday through Saturday patrolling for the students who are out of control. Many times, the people who are acting inappropriately and end up arrested are from nearby cities such as Hamilton or Middletown. These people should not be put into the same category as the students who attend Miami.
Another point I would like to bring up is that Oxford is a college town. When it is summer, businesses actually close because being open when the student body is on holiday is pointless--they would actually lose money by staying open. As college students, we drink and people may yell when they are walking home after the bars. I can assure you this is not unheard of, it is not out of character and it is probably much better than being in an inner-city where you have to carry mace in order to feel safe while walking around at night.
Incidents such as these occur in the real world, and are probably worse-off in cities like Pittsburgh or Columbus after sporting events. College students are no different than the adults in the "real world", and if you were ever in college/remembered being there you would understand. Your stereotypes are saddening and just that--stereotypes.
In the wake of the loss of an alumnae due to unforeseen circumstances is sad to me, but I understand that actions have consequences. The situation obviously got out of hand, but your negative reaction disgusts me because you don't take into consideration the loss of a human life, it is just another way for you to point out your disdain for youth. A 2006 graduate--he was so young, yet people like you use incidents like that to discriminate against all college students. You should take a moment and remember what it was like to be young and to do something stupid... you're lucky that your stupid actions didn't lead to death like it did for him. At least think about the fact that he had family and friends somewhere who have lost a loved one. Don't use this moment to be a negative influence on the world.

-MW

There is no reason you should be responding to this blog that you obviously know nothing about. Being a freshman on Miami's campus I can tell you I rarely see the kinds of behavior that you described. Never once have a seen the vandalism you wrote about. As for the three strike rule, there is already one in place on campus... and it's two strikes and your suspended for the semester without a refund... seems a bit harsher doesn't it? Lastly, the man that died was not a student, he was an alumnus of the class of 2006.

Whoever you are, please make sure that next time you feel entitled to talk about the "horrible conditions" of a college campus and how lax the rules are, please do your research. It's this kind of ignorance that gives respectable schools like Miami University bad reputations.

What scares me about this is that the police stated that the boy was arguing with him. No mention that he was physical, just that he argued with him.
If this is the case, tasering is unacceptable.

So now trying to reason with or arguing your point gives the police the authority to taser you to shut you up because they don't want to deal with the situation appropriately.

The appropriate behavior has to be modeled by authority if they want the repect they deserve.

Also, since it is my understanding that this young man's father is a retired police officier (I think his mother was too)I find it hard to believe he was doing more than trying to keep his friend out of trouble and thought he could reason with the officer.

I could be off track with my view, but I think the taser is being used too easily instead of other tactics first, especially if it was used to shut someone up because now he's dead.

I think this is a disgusting comment. First of all, Miami University is one of the safest campuses in America. Secondly, there are plenty of professors who live in Oxford, and if they choose not to, it has nothing to do with the college students, it usually has to do with the shitty housing and public school system. You sound like a completely ignorant redneck.

That's a lot of fresh information to absorb. You live in the area and you're doing investigative work? Are you a reporter?

I hope that your investigations lead to the truth. Please keep us all updated if you would. Let the world know about what you find.