A woman who watched as her mentally ill partner died after being hit by a Taser fired by a Vermont state trooper has been paid $30,000 in a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office.
Theresa Davidonis signed the agreement Thursday.
Davidonis was at the Thetford home of Macadam Mason in June 2012 when police were called because Mason was threatening to injure himself or others.
On a second police visit to the home that day, Mason allegedly moved toward Trooper David Shaffer, who fired his Taser striking Mason in the chest. Mason, 39, died as a result of that incident. No charges were filed against Shaffer.
The settlement was to compensate Davidonis for mental anguish caused by Mason’s death.
Seven Days reported that the Attorney General’s Office reached the settlement to avoid a trial in Davidonis’ lawsuit.
“The State decided to settle this case at a relatively early stage in order to avoid the expense and disruption of litigation,” Assistant Attorney General Jana Brown said in a prepared statement. “The matter was resolved with no admission of liability, and the Vermont State Police continue to support the appropriate use of TASERs as a valuable law enforcement tool.”
