By Cole Waterman
mlive.com
SAGINAW, Mich. — A former Saginaw County Jail corrections officer recorded on video tasing a coworker opted to forgo a trial in favor of pleading to a misdemeanor.
Angelina L. Young on Thursday, Oct. 3, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens for a scheduled bench trial. Young ended up pleading no contest to the lone count she faced, that of assault and battery.
The charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Defense attorney James F. Gust said his client was pleading no contest rather than guilty due to potential civil liability. As such, Jurrens relied on a police report to enter a conviction on the record.
On March 24, Young was inside a control tower within the jail at 311 S. Harrison St. Video released by the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office showed a male corrections officer seated at a desk as Young walked behind him. She drew her Taser International X26 and drive-stunned her seated colleague under his right arm.
The shocked officer fell backward and out of his chair. Young, still holding her Taser, patted his back and helped him from the ground.
Sheriff William L. Federspiel placed Young on administrative leave for an investigation to take place. He fired her in early June once the probe concluded.
Young indicated she had stunned her coworker as a practical joke, the sheriff has said.
Young had been a full-time corrections officer since at least 2017. She had participated in annual Taser safety training and knew not to withdraw the weapon unless it was necessary, Lt. David C. Kerns has said.
Young’s sentencing date is pending.
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