Update on News And Any Subject Discussion
James Holmes
A jury has found James Holmes guilty of murder in the Colorado theater shooting.
Holmes faced two counts of first-degree murder for each of the 12 victims. The jury found him guilty on all 24 counts, and 140 counts of attempted murder for the 70 people wounded in the shooting.
On July 19, 2012, Holmes walked into a theater in Aurora, Colorado that was showing “The Dark Knight Rises.” He walked through a rear door and left it propped open. About 18 minutes after the movie began, Holmes came through the rear door wearing a ballistic helmet, a gas mask, black gloves and protective gear on his legs, throat and groin. He threw a tear gas canister into the theater that exploded, then he opened gunfire with a AR-15 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 40 caliber handgun. Holmes was arrested outside of the theater in the parking lot about 7 minutes after the first 911 call was made to police.
His sentencing phase begins on Wednesday and is expected to last about a month. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Sandra Bland
On Friday afternoon, Sandra was pulled over by a Texas Department of Public Safety officer for changing lanes without signaling. Bland allegedly struggled with the officer and another cop arrived, both of whom are seen with Bland on the ground during a video taken by a motorist.
Sandra is heard on the video saying “I can’t even fucking feel my arms,” and “You just slammed my head into the ground, do you not even care about that? I can’t even hear!”
One of the officers is heard on the video telling the person recording, “You need to leave.”
After she was arrested, Sandra Bland tried to post bail.
“I talked to her when she first went to jail,” said Joe Booker of Hempstead. “I called her mother for her.” Sandra needed $500.00 for bail.
Sarah’s sister said that Sandra called her from jail and said she believed her arm had been broken by police. Her body was discovered by a jail worker on Monday morning. An autopsy performed on Tuesday listed Sandra’s cause of death as suicide by asphyxiation. Texas Rangers said they are investigating her death, and the Bland family has retained an attorney.
Texas state Senator Royce West has asked the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety to release any video it has of Sandra’s arrest.
Four Marines Murdered, One Police Officer Wounded, and Killer Dead in Chattanooga
24-year-old Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez has been identified as the shooter who went to a recruiting office, then to a military facility.
Abdulazeez had not been on the radar of federal law enforcement, but his father had. Abdulazeez’s dad was investigated several years ago for “possible ties to a foreign terrorist organization” and had been added to the U.S. terrorist watch list.
Bits and pieces are coming out, including that in April, Abdulazeez was arrested for driving under the influence. He was scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Leaving His Job After 14 Years, Police Officer Gives Away Gift Cards
Police Commander Brian Peters of the Brooklyn Center Police Department in Minnesota was on the force for 14 years. He left the job to start a new position as manager of Target’s global crisis command center. Peters didn’t want a going away party. He wanted to give back to the community, so he purchased ten gift cards worth $50.00 each and handed them out to strangers in Brooklyn Center.
“In light of how law enforcement was viewed these days, it was also a good thing for people to understand that police officers can be good. Not everyone is bad,” Peters said.
Feel free to use the comment section for discussion on any topic.
What’s On Your Mind?
Posted on 07/17/2015, in Cases, open discussion, Potpourri, Sandra Bland and tagged Brian Peters, Brooklyn Center, Chattanooga, James Holmes, marines, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez, Sandra Bland, verdict. Bookmark the permalink. 47 Comments.
My thoughts and prayers are with the 4 Marines’ loved ones. Such a horrible tragedy! I hope the investigation uncovers all that should be known.
I pray for the policeman and others who were wounded that they will have a complete recovery.
From the article linked above, I saw this strong statement of condemnation:
I pray for peace around the world and for actions directed by hearts of love.
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
These actions of violence …. coming from deranged citizens or from misguided LEOs need to stop …. How to stop them poses one of the greatest challenges of this society.
Kindness, education, acceptance, regulation, early intervention, empathy …. a long list acknowledging that we are all connected. What touches one, touches all!
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Horty, thanks for the reblog, dear friend. I agree and stand in unity with you.
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No way do I believe that Sandra Bland hung herself on the day she was to get out of jail on bond….just an hour after she had requested to make a phone call. She had everything to live for with a job she was to begin two days later at Prairie View A&M University as director of student outreach.
The job, in my opinion, was exactly what would match her passion for social outreach and activism.
In a video that I posted on the page before this, Sandra talked to her listeners explaining that they could use their voices (and cellphone photo capacity) to be the change that they wanted to see in our society.
She knew how to advocate for herself as shown in the witness video above and she knew that the witness’s video would exonerate her and show that she was unjustly treated and arrested by LE. This is a person who was going to fight the charge against her…certainly not a person who would take her life. I imagine this was hard for the LE around her to swallow.
Just look at the photo of her here:
You can see her zest for life in her eyes, her outgoing and friendly spirit in her smile, and a
glow about her that tells you she had a bright, beautiful future.
I will not rest until she receives the justice that she deserves. My heart has not stopped grieving for her.
May Sandra rest in peace in God’s loving arms of comfort and may her family feel the Lord’s Presence and comforting embrace.
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THIS!!
“In light of how law enforcement was viewed these days, it was also a good thing for people to understand that police officers can be good. Not everyone is bad,” Peters said.
that ALMOST brought tears to my eyes!
after these past few weeks of realizing some ppl who i thought were friends never were, seeing Sandra, an educated, thoughtful, vivacious, good& caring, involved young woman being treated like a common thug by a couple of MEN, because they CAN, just blows my mind. i’m afraid to imagine what Sandra went through. but i hope that someone pays for hurting her and taking her life away.
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Just take a look at this company’s video where Sandra Bland is featured to see how capable and personable she was.
She appears in the video at timestamp 0:26 to 0:38 here:
(Administrator’s note. The video has been removed by the user.)
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Well, it looks as if the Cook’s Direct Company has removed the video in which Sandra was featured. (She worked there for a year as an administrative assistant.)
Anyway, here is a photo of the company’s personnel. Sandra the 3rd from the left in the back row.
https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11666095_10153467004279184_3868818656073751274_n.jpg?oh=b3685cb0437b422ee6c0feaf06751d14&oe=560E9047
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Shannon,
I wish that I could find the video or exact quote that Rev. Sharpton made on his program yesterday, because it was profound. My paraphrase is, good cops are being impugned by the actions of bad cops. Slanted, partial investigations do not help build trust between law enforcement and the community. It will take good cops to stand with the community demanding impartial investigations.
My added opinion is, media needs to be balanced. If they are going to report the background of the deceased, then they need to also report on the background of those who pulled the trigger.
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.i saw it too! He said what we’ve been saying.
Of course there’s good cops! but they’re not getting the media the bad ones are. good ones, who aren’t involved with corrupt depts, who are doing what we’ve entrusted them with & doing it honorably don’t get the respect they deserve becuz we’re so focused on the bad ones. And that’s becuz when a bad cop does something its really bad bcuz It can cost an innocent person’s life.
And bad cop infects the others around him when his fellow cops & prosecutors enable him instead of doing the right thing.
So the good cops need to pay attention. They’ve gotta figure out if they went into the biz for the right reasons and if so do they want to save it. Becuz if they want their profession to be one of honor, dignity& respect, they’re the only ones who can make it so.
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The four Marines killed yesterday are:
Gunnery Sgt Thomas J Sullivan, 40
Lance Cpl Skip Wells, 21
Sgt Carson Holmquist, 27
Staff Sgt David Wyatt, 37
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http://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6993f98d1aff56748a3955c7416ef02db84e436b/0_0_620_372/master/620.jpg?w=620&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=34ececd4124c6aabfcb9eb64a48aff08
A composite of the marines killed in Chattanooga (clockwise from top left): Thomas Sullivan, Skip Wells Carson Holmquist and David Wyatt. (from Guardian article which credited the “Photograph: Facebook and Wells Family”)
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Tragically, Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith who had been wounded by the shooter in Chattanooga has died.
Prayers and condolences to his family.
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My thoughts
James Holmes I really believed he would get the insanity verdict the man is crazy and yes crazy people can plan their own actions I would like to see the therapist that he reached out to held accountable as nobody reported the obvious signs whats the point in having those laws if they are not to be enforced.
Sandra Bland, the story does not add up cops lied about her assaulting them as shown on video yet she winds up dead where are her booking photos? this is in Texas though regardless of a federal investigation or not there are some good ole boys down there and you know what they say about Southern Justice.
The 4 Marines who lost their lives God rest their souls, and may god bring peace and closure to the families, here again we have a classic example of how these “Responsible Gun Owners” act honestly this Nation needs to disarm our society is so out of touch I mean we can NOT even get along with one another in this Nation why allow us to have access to guns? Seriously it like seeing a small brush fire then walking over to it and pouring gas on it….
Have a good weekend folks 😀
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What an absolute nightmare for the motorists! They must have been so terrified.
Good to hear that they all escaped to safety and that only two sustained an injury. Hoping that those two motorists recover from their injuries quickly.
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Yahtzee, I heard from some friends in LA last night. The smoke and stench was horrible.
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I bet it was!
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This Monday (July 20), jury selection will begin in the trial of Ofc. Randall Kerrick on the charge of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of Jonathan Ferrel.
http://www.wtxl.com/news/jury-selection-starts-monday-in-shooting-death-of-former-famu/article_6834bb46-2bea-11e5-a78d-0770b4b579ef.html
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I’m looking forward to that trial and hope it’s live streamed or at least reported daily. If live streamed, I’ll put up a section here so we can follow.
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It is wonderful to know that the School Board of Miami-Dade County has recognized Sybrina Fulton’s work and dedication to help bring about change and a better world.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article27314131.html
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Re: investigation into the death of Sandra Bland.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/18/us-usa-texas-death-idUSKCN0PS09C20150718
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Apparently they are going to release the dash cam video on Monday.
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Photo of a protester with sign countering the KKK at the SC capitol building:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CKOBCiTUwAAs9mj.jpg:large
His sign says “Knock out racism”
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This is the most remarkable video i’ve ever seen! PLEASE WATCH if you get a chance because this is like a movie to me.
This is a live streamer who went to #RacistsCounty and literally had a Conversation with that Sheriff who was a fired for racism! OMG this is deep!
PS i love this girl!
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/68005345 …
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Wow, thanks for posting this, Shannon! I can’t believe that they had that long conversation with Sheriff Glenn Smith.
I am going to listen to it again before commenting.
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i watched the entire video he was LYING on every point……NOT possible she hung herself the PHYSICS dont work the bag would rip apart and NEVER support her weight……and why was she even arrested for changing lanes without signalling? why was she taken from her car and thrown to the ground? and why during an investigation of her death did they check her new job? her having that job shows she had reason to LIVE……and could not possibly give any info about her death circumstances.
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“Details Of Unreleased Dash Cam Video In #SandraBland Case Revealed”
http://newsone.com/3157133/details-of-unreleased-dash-cam-video-sandra-bland-case-revealed/
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So many groups came together in NC pushing for voting rights:
“”Our Selma!” | Mass Moral March for Voting Rights”
Published on Jul 15, 2015
July 13th, 2015 – On the same day the NC NAACP goes to trial against North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory for the suppression of Voting Rights in the state, thousands turn out for the Forward Together Movement’s Mass Moral March for Voting Rights in Winston-Salem.
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deray mckesson @deray 2m2 minutes ago
deray mckesson retweeted Tom Dart
And here, the final account of #SandraBland from the video. 2015.
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Derby did not start with page 1. Here it is:
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Here is page 3:
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Here is a video of the inside of Sandra’s jail cell:
“VIDEO: Waller County Jail cell where Sandra Bland found dead”
http://www.click2houston.com/news/video-waller-county-jail-cell-where-sandra-bland-found-dead/34260382
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that clearly shows a garbage bag in the can and the bag is no more than 4 feet or 48 inches tall…….there is nothing high enough in that cell to hang oneself from and the bag even if twisted up is NOT long enough to tie a secure knot somewhere high and then around ones neck and another secure knot plus the bags have been PROVEN to not be capable of holding her weight…….the PHYSICS say she could not hang herself in that cell with that bag.
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That’s hilarious!
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Sandra Bland’s death is now being investigated as a homicide
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/07/21/da-its-too-early-to-know-how-woman-died-in-texas-jail-cell/21211737/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D222152420
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the trooper LIED on his report……just saw on TV he claims she remained combative even after being handcuffed and kicked him in the leg while in handcuffs……which means he had no reason to arrest her in the first place……the reason for the arrest was the “assault” which did NOT happen by his own words until AFTER she was arrested and in cuffs….he also claimed she was combative and UNcooperative the entire time but the video does NOT show that, she gave him her license and papers, he went back to his car and came back to give her a warning ticket about 3 minutes later, he then told her to put out her cigarette and she said she could smoke in her own car if she wanted, he then told her to get out of the car and opened her door, she did get out again cooperating…….then was taken into custody………
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It.does.NOT.Stop! Tears…horror!
“University of Cincinnati Campus Officer Fatally Shoots Unarmed Black Man: Report
Sam Dubose, the father of 13, was pulled over for driving without a license plate on the front of his vehicle over the weekend before being shot to death.”
http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2015/07/university_of_cincinnati_campus_officer_fatally_shoots_unarmed_black_man.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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Dashcam of traffic stop of Sandra Bland
I am shaking. I have watched the first 20 minutes. Sandra was right about everything she said. She KNEW she could take the officer to court and that he would LOSE!
So upsetting! So horrifying.
At the news conference today the Senator and others said that she never should have been taken into custody!
I am crying…..so upset….
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amazing the officer clearly is a 100% LIAR…….she was NOT combative until when he started giving her unlawful orders…..and he clearly said she was under ARREST long before she did anything wrong…….before he tried to remove her from the car he said you are UNDER ARREST.
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You are so RIGHT, Bill!
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he asked her was anything wrong and she answered YES i am upset that you are doing this over a lane change when you came up behind me real fast(the video shows that FACT) and i moved over to allow you to go on by……..he also made a U turn after his previous stop and took off after her, i noted right away after the U turn he was speeding clearly.
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Bill, one of the things I was warned about as a young adult, is to always be aware when driving from the North to the South that law enforcement in the South love to stop vehicles with license plates from Northern states. LE will even run those plates while following just to see if they can make a stop and arrest because LE assumes that most people from out-of-state won’t fight the case because they just want to get back home.
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Joy Reid @JoyAnnReid 23m23 minutes ago Brooklyn, NY
Ms. Bland was asking the relevant question: why was she being ordered out of her car and arrested? Failure to extinguish a cigarette?
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I just watched it. Sharon’s family has asked that there be no discussion of the case on social media, so I’ve restrained myself. However, I do have a question. What is Texas’ law regarding unlawful searches of a vehicle?
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