Family still looking for answers

A normal business day ended with a twist at the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Tuesday night. \nAt the end of the formal meeting, commissioners, family and community members remained to discuss the November death of Bedford resident James L. Borden Sr. \nLast November, Borden died in police custody. Against EMS discretion, police allegedly continued to take him to the station to have him booked where he was shocked with a taser gun three times after police say he was combative and talking to inanimate objects. Now his family is seeking answers.\nThe Bordens attended the council meeting Tuesday. Joe O'Connor, who governed the meeting, was unaware of how the Bordens' case could affect the Monroe County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council meeting and, thus, requested they not speak until the meeting was over. \nMarc Haggerty, a member of the Citizens Investigating the Death of James L. Borden Sr. organization, was upset the discussion was put off until after the meeting.\n"(The delay) was a ploy to keep it off county (TV) airwaves," Haggerty said. \nAlthough several council members departed at the end of the meeting, some remained to speak to the Borden family. \nAs the camera kept rolling, Haggerty thought some of the council representatives should have stayed.\nWhen the CJCC meeting concluded, the Bordens were given a chance to speak and have representatives speak on their account. \nCitizens Investigating the Death of James L. Borden Sr. members Vid Beldavs, Jim Hart and Haggerty both spoke on behalf of the Borden family. Beldavs requested three issues be addressed by the councilmen.\nAn appeal to ban the use of taser guns in Monroe County by police or corrections officers until this case is further investigated was asked for review. Taser guns are generally used as a "last resort" when dealing with combative individuals. According to All American Protection, a Web site that sells self-defense products, taser guns have "a 15-foot range and apply 50,000 volts … that over-ride the central nervous system providing incredible takedown power."\nThe family also requested Bloomington adopt Fort Wayne's method of training officers. This training program, known as the Crisis Intervention Team, trains officers to act in an appropriate manner when dealing with mentally ill or disabled people. Using CIT training teaches officers to present orders in a more understandable fashion. This tactic has reduced arrests in Fort Wayne. The CIT training method is used in many cities nationwide. \nConcluding the requests, Beldavs asked for an investigation to uncover answers to the many questions concerning Borden's accidental death on behalf of the family. The Bordens want to know what is currently being done to alleviate overcrowding in jails. The family also wants the city to address issues concerning police misuse of force. The Bordens believe that with public knowledge similar situations can be avoided. \nBorden's relatives said they ultimately want to be heard, said Steve Borden, brother of the victim.\n"We expect to move forward," he said. "Hopefully, somebody will listen."\n-- Contact staff writer Andrea Opperman at acopperm@indiana.edu.