Grand jury clears Victoria officer who used Taser on senior citizen

VICTORIA, TX -- A grand jury has declined to indict a Victoria police offer who used a Taser on a senior citizen during a traffic stop late last year.

The decision came down Thursday, but released yesterday, clearing Officer Nathanial Robinson, who used his Taser on 76-year-old Peter Vasquez during a stop for an expired inspection sticker on December 11.

Following an internal affairs investigation by the Victoria Police Department, it was determined Robinson violated three different policies and was fired from the department. Police Chief Jeff Craig cited "conduct and performance", "use of force" and "arrest without a warrant" as the policies Robinson violated.

Eyewitness News spoke exclusively with Peter Vasquez' son yesterday. Albert Vasquez said his father is extremely disappointed by the grand jury's decision released Friday, and thinks it sets a bad precedent.

"I think this is going to be a disappointment throughout the community, throughout the nation. I feel that their disappointment is going to be because this could've been them," Albert Vasquez said.

Former officer Robinson's attorney Greg Cagle issued this statement last night:

"I'm happy he's been cleared. I was not surprised. I've known all along that the stop and use of force was reasonable. I'm glad the grand jury did their job."

Cagle said the former officer would like his job back but it's unlikely he will get it. He said his client has no hard feelings.

Meanwhile, this case may not be going away anytime soon. The Vasquez family is looking into any civil actions that can be taken.