Lubbock defends itself from the most recent taser-related lawsuit in federal court.

On January 14th NewsChannel 11 reported that Belinda Ann Sarabia sued the city for excessive use of a taser on her. She claims that police officer Sadie Hockenberry used excessive force by tasing her more than 20 times during a September 2009 traffic stop. Sarabia claims she was unlawfully ordered to get out of her car, and was tased repeatedly for not getting out. Sarabia claims she never threatened the officer and therefore the taser was excessive force. 

Last week the city told its side of the story in court records. "The City of Lubbock ... pleads by way of affirmative defense that the actions of Officer Hockenberry were reasonable and that Plaintiff's rights were not violated." The city says Sarabia violated the law by not following the officer's directions and therefore using the taser was reasonable.