Courtroom Drama: Father & Son Tasered, Arrested

FERNDALE, Mich. - A speeding ticket causes drama in the courtroom in Ferndale. It all ends with a father and son tasered and arrested.

Father and son were at Ferndale's 43rd District Court fighting a speeding ticket when, all of a sudden, a courtroom fight broke out forcing police to grab their Tasers.

"I asked him when the last time the radar had been checked," said Joseph Riddle, Sr. That's what he believes set police off.

On Monday, a judge ruled that Joseph Riddle, Jr. had to pay a fine for his speeding ticket. Joseph Senior says when he started asking questions, an officer pushed his son.

However, police tell a much different story, claiming Joseph Junior is the one who first swung at police and his dad followed after they refused to leave the courtroom.

We asked Joseph Junior whether he punched them first. He answered, "No, I did not. He pushed me first, and I turned around and asked him don't push me and that we (were) going downstairs to pay the ticket, and then... I don't know, somebody came from behind and got to chocking me."

A melee broke out in the courtroom and moved into the hallway. It got so violent, Joseph Junior claims he was slammed into a fire extinguisher. Bandages cover where his wrist was cut.

Ferndale Police Lt. William Wilson says officers had no choice but to taser the unruly men.

"Finally, they were able to subdue and handcuff them, but they were forced to use Tasers in order to apprehend both of them, finally get them handcuffed," said Wilson.

The Riddles were both arrested for resisting and obstructing police. Both father and son deny tag teaming police.

"I know they (are) making it up. They are lying. I'm 64 years old. I'm not going to tag (a) bunch of police," Joseph Riddle, Sr. said.

Usually camera are rolling inside the courtrooms, but because this was an informal hearing, we're told they were not. Both father and son tell us they feel they were unfairly treated and plan to fight the felony charges.