Minnesota man found guilty of assaulting trooper

Published 7:36 am Sunday, February 5, 2012

WALKER — A jury has convicted an Akeley man of assaulting a Minnesota state trooper while she was trying to arrest him last October.

Authorities say Trooper Darcy Gagnon stopped 26-year-old Elijah Knowles on Highway 34 on suspicion of DWI. As Gagnon tried to handcuff Knowles, he hit her on the head with the trooper’s Taser.

The complaint says Knowles put the stun gun to Gagnon’s head and pulled the trigger, but the safety was on.

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When deputies arrived, Knowles fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph. He was arrested after trying to ram two squad cars and crashing his car.

After 3 1/2 hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Knowles Wednesday night on seven counts, including second-degree assault, fleeing police and DWI.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 15.