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Printer-Friendly ModeTasered student avoids jail time, faces probation
February 12, 2007 —
Charles Littleton, a 22-year-old sociology junior, was sentenced last Friday to six months of probation, the conclusion of a four-month saga that began with an incident last November in which Littleton and two police officers were involved in a struggle that left Littleton Tasered and Police Chief Gerald Cliff with a broken finger.
As reported in the Vanguard and numerous other publications, the scuffle was allegedly caused by Littelton's refusal to take off his hat, as is required by the rules of etiquette in the Saginaw City Council's chambers.
In addition to probation, Saginaw County Chief District Judge Kyle Tarrant ordered Littleton to perform 200 hours of community service and pay $140 in fines.
"I'm just glad it's over," he told The Saginaw News Friday after his sentencing. "It's better than being in jail."
The sentencing hearing followed a public apology issued directly to the City Council two weeks ago in which Littleton formally expressed his regret to the Council members and Cliff, who was present at the meeting.
"I never intended to make light of or disrespect a City Council meeting," he said in his apology. "I should have taken off my hat."
Originally facing felony charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer, Littleton and attorney Barbara Littles bargained the offenses down to misdemeanors in a plea agreement that included Littleton's apology to the Council in January.