Ex-Michigan state trooper loses appeal of manslaughter conviction in stun gun-related death of teen

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A former Michigan state trooper lost an appeal this week over his manslaughter conviction related to the death of a teenage driver who smashed his all-terrain vehicle into a truck after the trooper used a stun gun on him.

Mark Bessner’s defense team argued this week that a Wayne County trial judge had omitted evidence that would have helped his case and contended the jury should not have heard a quote of him saying in a separate incident that he wanted to "tase" an ATV driver.

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The appeals court reaffirmed his conviction in a 3-0 opinion.

Former Michigan state Trooper Mark Bessner listens to the prosecutor during his trial in Detroit, April 10, 2019. (Associated Press)

Bessner was convicted of involuntary manslaughter over the August 2017 incident and sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison in 2019. 

Damon Grimes, 15, drove the ATV near the trooper's car in Detroit while Bessner and another officer were patrolling the neighborhood that August. Grimes crashed into a truck immediately after Bessner used the stun gun and died. 

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Bessner said he fired the stun gun from his car because he believed Grimes had a gun. The teen, however, didn’t have a weapon.

Bessner will be eligible for parole in 2024.

The Associated press contributed to this report.