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Man wins $269 in stun-gun lawsuit

A federal jury says Pittsburgh police wrongfully used a Taser to get a man out of his car, but say he is entitled only to $269 to cover his medical bill.

Twenty-nine-year-old Robert Rucker of Penn Hills had been seeking at least $75,000 in punitive damages. Rucker he was complying with police orders when Officer Neal Marabello used the stun gun on him in 2006.

The jury on Thursday agreed that the officer used excessive force. But the panel rejected claims by Rucker, who says he developed health problems and lost his job as a result.

Police suspected Rucker had hit his girlfriend with his car.

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