ORLANDO, Fla. – An Osceola County deputy on trial for tasing a man near a gas pump — resulting in a fire that seriously injured the suspect — testified in his own defense Wednesday.

Deputy David Crawford told the jury he never intended to deploy the Taser.

Crawford said another deputy had already tasered the suspect, Jean Baretto-Baerga, twice near the gas pump. Concerned about the danger, Crawford claimed he grabbed the Taser, activated its safety and tossed it aside. He said he had no idea how the device fired or how the fire started.

“When you grabbed the Taser, did you intend to discharge it?” defense attorney Michael Barber asked Crawford.

“I would never taste him,” replied Crawford.

However, the State Attorney’s Office pointed to discrepancies in Crawford’s testimony. Prosecutors argued that Crawford’s statements at the scene contradicted his defense. They cited a comment he made to other deputies to “kill the pump” and a warning he gave Baretto-Baerga: “You’re going to be tried again, bro.”

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When Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Williams asked Crawford about the comment, Crawford said it was a de-escalation tactic intended to achieve compliance, not a signal of intent.

“It’s a coincidence that you yelled, ‘You’re going to be tased again,’ and then the Taser went off?” Williams pressed on.

“Yes,” Crawford replied.

Crawford testified that after flipping the fuse, he threw the Taser under a car to keep it away from Baretto-Baerga and the gas pump.

But Deputy Michael Koffinas, who retrieved the Taser, testified that it was found just inches from where the fight occurred — not far from the suspect or the gas pump.

On cross-examination, Williams asked Koffinas, “Would you agree that it’s maybe six inches at most from where the fight was?”

“Yes,” Koffinas confirmed.

Video evidence shown by the defense depicted Baretto-Baerga driving recklessly, wheeling, speeding and riding on sidewalks. The sheriff’s office initially believed he was armed, although deputies later determined he was not a suspect in an aggravated assault investigation.

“We have to treat that person as if they are armed and dangerous,” Crawford told the jury, explaining the precautions taken.

Closing arguments are expected Friday, with jury deliberations to follow.

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