Avoiding what could have been a costly and lengthy wrongful death trial, Camden County has paid $1 million to the family of man who died after a sheriff's deputy used a Taser to subdue him three years ago.

Avoiding what could have been a costly and lengthy wrongful death trial, Camden County has paid $1 million to the family of man who died after a sheriff’s deputy used a Taser to subdue him three years ago.

The family of Glenn David Norman sought damages from the county and defendants employed by the county within the sheriff’s department over Norman’s death in the early morning hours of Oct. 4, 2011.

Obtained through a Missouri Sunshine Law request filed by the Lake Sun, court documents reveal the details of the settlement, which was negotiated through the U.S. District Court of Western Missouri earlier this year. The parties finalized the settlement in July, but a provision prevented the parties from divulging information about the settlement to media.

Norman’s children — Spencer, 26, Courtney, 25, and Kiefer, 21 — along with Norman’s mother, Helen Norman and later Norman’s spouse, Rhonda Norman, alleged deputies acted with “deliberate indifference to the safety, security and well-being of the decedent,” resulting in his untimely death. The claim also alleges deputies used excessive force, failed to provide appropriate training to deputies using the Taser device and failed to discipline the officers involved in Norman’s arrest.

Deputies responded to a home in the Linn Creek in early morning hours of Oct. 4, 2011 to find Norman trying to gain access to a home. Testimony by his then-girlfriend alleged Norman had taken pills earlier in the night and was not in his right mind as he began beating on the door of a neighboring residence.

Camden County Sgt. Brian Fiene and deputies Richard Dziadosz, Larry Rutherford and Jamee Watson responded to the scene. All four are named defendants in the lawsuit along with Camden County Sheriff Dwight Franklin. As officers attempted to place Norman under arrest, he resisted. Fiene deployed the Taser and knocked Norman to the ground. Information taken from the Taser device indicated Fiene discharged the Taser 15 times, exposing Norman to 50,000 volts of electricity for 84 seconds. Watson placed her knee between Norman’s shoulders until he eventually stopped moving and breathing. Norman died at the scene of cardiac arrest.

Toxicology reports showed Norman had used methamphetamine the evening of Oct. 3.

Although the county’s insurance paid the $1 million settlement, the county denies “any negligence or fault with respect to the incidents or occurrences allegedly causing the death of Glenn David Norman,” court documents say. The settlement also absolves the county from any further litigation involving Norman’s death.

While the county still dismisses any culpability in Norman’s death despite the settlement, his family filed the lawsuit in hopes that the sheriff’s department would accept responsibility and to hold them accountable.

“Regardless of the shape he was in when he died — yes there were drugs in his system — there simply were no health problems. There was no way four deputies had to get involved and taser him,” Barb Hill said.

Hill, of Iberia, had known Norman for years. He had married her niece and although the two later divorced, Hill said David — as the family called him — had remained part of the family and was devoted to his children.

His daughter, Courtney, now 25, was "daddy's girl." Coping with the death of her father has been difficult for all three of his children, Hill said.

As part of the settlement agreement, the children and Norman's mother and wife agreed not to discuss the case or the outcome. Hill said she doesn't have those constraints and even though several years have passed, it is important for someone to speak up about his death and the circumstances surrounding how he died.

"He was a good person. Sure he had some problems, but he was the nicest guy and had an infectious smile," Hill said. "His family is still hurting, nothing eases the pain and the grief. It tore the kids apart, they will never be the same."

Following an investigation of Norman’s death conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Camden County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Keedy decided not to pursue criminal charges against the officers.

Medical conditions and drugs killed Norman, not the electrical charge from being shot with Tasers, Keedy said in his opinion.

Keedy said his review of the case, conducted in 2012, was limited to issues of criminal liability. He said the only crimes committed during this incident were committed by Norman prior to his death.

Debate has continued across the country on whether the use of Tasers constitute “excessive force.”

Since Norman’s death, the Camden County Sheriff’s Department has “revised” its policy concerning the use of Tasers, according to Capt. Kelly Luttrell. He could not elaborate on the changes.

While speculation continues to swirl on if Tasers are an appropriate tool to subdue suspects, Hill said the use of the device killed a man.

"The sheriff's department needs to get rid of the Tasers, like many other departments have. This shows what happens when overzealous deputies go too far. No one took responsibility and those deputies were put right back to work,” she said.

According to information provided by the county clerk’s office, Fiene and Rutherford no longer work for the county. Keedy lost a bid for re-election to Michael Gilley in August.

Lake Sun Editorial Director Joyce L. Miller contributed to this report.