The fast version: I would have said this was what cops call a “good shoot” if it had stopped at the first two bullets. It didn’t. I don’t think this was murder one, but it was at least criminally negligent homicide and those who covered it up should be prosecuted along with Van Dyke.This is a very thoughtful post on when deadly force is justified and when it - sometimes suddenly - turns into unjustified deadly force. This is important reading for anyone who carries, so RTWT.
As a bonus, there's a link there to his analysis of the Michael Brown autopsy results and what it likely means about the shooting. Short version: completely justified in that case.
I am no police officer, and do not have the training a beat cop would have. However, I have always told people to empty their magazine and reload, when the police arrive demand that they arrest the individual.
ReplyDeleteInteresting commentary I heard from someone today: racism means you believe that someone is by virtue of their race biologically inferior. That's not what we are seeing - it's predjudice, which is based on cultural characteristics. If an 80 year old Italian grandmother had exhibited the same behavior, the police response would have been different. So the conversation needs to be "Why?" Why did a cop in Chicago seemingly panic when dealing with a young black male in Chicago? And doesn't the community that has not expressed outrage at 800 murders and more than 2,000 shootings over the last couple years carry some of the responsibility for the cop's teaction?
ReplyDeleteInteresting commentary I heard from someone today: racism means you believe that someone is by virtue of their race biologically inferior. That's not what we are seeing - it's predjudice, which is based on cultural characteristics. If an 80 year old Italian grandmother had exhibited the same behavior, the police response would have been different. So the conversation needs to be "Why?" Why did a cop in Chicago seemingly panic when dealing with a young black male in Chicago? And doesn't the community that has not expressed outrage at 800 murders and more than 2,000 shootings over the last couple years carry some of the responsibility for the cop's teaction?
ReplyDeleteThe proper view of this would be if you or I did this would WE be charged. If
ReplyDeleteyes than the officer must be charged. LEO do not carry guns for ANY OTHER REASON
than to defend themselves or others from IMMEDIATE and CREDIBLE threats. This officer
did not face such a threat. Refusal to obey verbal commands is NOT justification for deadly force. The victim made NO MOVE TOWARDS anyone and therefore was not an immediate and credible threat.
This shooting was covered up by the Chicago PD. The officer was charged ONLY because the media forced the release of the video. If the video had remained sealed nothing would have happened. The DA made a politically expedient decision. He charged the officer with Murder1 to satisfy the public and cover his ass knowing that the requirement for premeditation cannot be proven thus the charge will not stick. The officer will face trial but the city will cover his legal bills. It's a show trial....not a trial seeking justice. I predict an acquittal unless the jury is allowed to convict for Murder2 or Voluntary Manslaughter. If not expect riots when the inevitable happens.