ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The first witnesses in the trial of a deputy who used a Taser at a gas station and set a man ablaze took the stand Tuesday morning in Orange County.
Opening statements happened Monday afternoon. Prosecutors in the case are arguing that Osceola County Deputy David Crawford should have known about the risks of using his Taser near spilled gasoline.
Crawford was charged with culpable negligence in the incident, which occurred in 2022 at a Wawa on Central Florida Parkway. He used his Taser on Jean Baretto-Baerga, sparking a large fire and leaving Baretto-Baerga with burns over much of his body, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy was trying to take Baretto-Baerga into custody after reports that a group of bikers was driving recklessly and pointing a gun at drivers.
Prosecutors described in graphic detail during opening statements how Baretto-Baerga ended up burned and pointed out that an investigation found Crawford acknowledged the spilled gas during the takedown at the Wawa.
“This defendant’s reckless actions resulted in a fiery explosion, engulfing that pump and all the surrounding area in flames and resulting in the victim, Mr. Barreto, suffering severe burns to his body, roughly 60% of his body was burned,” a prosecutor said.
Lawyers for Crawford said the deputy was protecting the community and other civilians at the time and that he should not be found guilty.
Three deputies were also injured in the incident, authorities said.
If convicted, Crawford could face a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
[WATCH: Crawford’s body camera in media player below. WARNING: Video is extremely graphic.]
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