A Lawrence County man yesterday filed a lawsuit against the Shenango Township and New Castle police departments and two officers, claiming that he was stunned by a Taser last year for no reason.

Edward Brown, of Hickory, also names as defendants Darrin Paul Cwynar, a Shenango Township police officer, along with Brian Cuscino, a New Castle officer.

Mr. Brown, who was 73 years old at the time, said he was leaving a store at Lawrence Village Plaza on Jan. 24, 2007, when Officer Cwynar approached him and asked to talk.

Mr. Brown did not want to, the lawsuit said, and instead walked to his car and got in. After warning Mr. Brown, the officer stunned him with a Taser twice.

He was then pulled from the car by other officers who'd been called to the scene. Mr. Brown claims he was thrown to the ground into standing water and then stunned twice more.

Following the event, he was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

State court records show that Mr. Brown was placed in the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for the resisting arrest charge in March.

However, on Aug. 22, a petition was filed to revoke his ARD status, and a hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 7.