Botham Jean

That this was treated as an officer involved shooting shows favoritism and double-standard. She was off-duty and should have been immediately charged the same as any other private citizen who killed a person.

Abagond

Botham Shem Jean (1991-2018) was an unarmed Black man killed in Dallas, Texas by an off-duty White police officer on September 6th 2018. The officer, Amber Guyger, entered his apartment and shot him dead. She says she thought it was her flat, that he was a burglar.

She says: She came home after working 15 hours and was still in uniform. When she tried to unlock the door it was partly open. She came in, saw a looming figure in the dark and gave “verbal commands”. When the figure did not obey, she shot two times. Only when she turned on the lights did she see that it was not her apartment. (The next-door neighbour did not hear any “verbal commands”.)

He says: …

Jean had a red welcome mat in front of his door – one the few doors with any kind of welcome mat. People who knew him…

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Michael Drejka Charged With Manslaughter For Killing Markeis McGlockton – Stand Your Ground Law

Markeis McGlockton

I saw the video for this case when it first happened, and also read that the Sheriff refused to arrest Michael Drejka because of Florida’s stand your ground law.  When I saw the video, it was my impression that the shooter was an elderly man.  Maybe it was his posture or the fact that he fell to the ground so easily.  It turns out that Drejka was 47-years old on July 19, 2018 when he shot and killed 28-year old Markeis McGlockton.

Here is the video.

 

 

Comments were quickly posted on Twitter protesting that Drejka was not arrested.  Thinking that an elderly man might be afraid of a younger man pushing him to the ground, I sighed at the thought that he could avoid arrest using stand your ground in his defense.  Then, I watched the video again and saw where Markeis’ girlfriend Britany Jacobs, was getting out of the car and Drejka was standing at the car’s door invading her space.  I wondered what he said to Britany that provoked Markeis to push him.   I sighed again, because Markeis is not alive to tell anyone what he heard and believed that provoked him to push Drejka out of Britany’s face.

Other thoughts came to mind, such as Drejka thinking he was entitled to approach and engage Britany for parking in a handicapped parking space.  How is it possible to provoke a  confrontation, verbal or physical, then claim self-defense when someone takes action to stop the confrontation?

On August 13, 2018, Michael Drejka was charged with manslaughter.  He is currently in jail on a $100k bond and is going to be appointed a public defender.

Will New York Cave-In And Create An Intervention Stand Your Ground Law?

There’s a Change.org petition.  The title of the petition reads, “18-year old high school football player has been charged with murder defending his mom.”  The petition asks that all charges against Luis Moux be dropped. I read the body of the petition three times and after a very long sigh, decided that I would share this.

Luis Moux

According to CBS News, and the New York Post, Stanley Washington, (43-years old) arrived at the apartment where Luis Moux and his 37-year old mom, Lorena Sesemer live.  An altercation took place between them and Luis found Washington on top of his mom.  Luis wrapped his arm around Washington’s neck to pull him off his mom.  Washington fell unconscious and died.

The New York Daily News reports that Luis had bite marks on his forearm and knee.

Luis was charged with manslaughter.  Some reports say that Luis bail was set at $50K.  Others say that his bail was set at $25K cash.  Either way, Luis has been released on bail.

According to police, the boyfriend, Stanley Washington had a long criminal history that ranges from assault to criminal possession of a weapon, to menacing, criminal trespass and possession and sale of marijuana. Police had been to Sesemer’s apartment several times in the past to sort out domestic disputes involving Washington.

The New York Post reports that Stanley’s brother stated that he had taken care of Luis since he was 2-years old and that his brother was not violent.  Djuana Martinez, identified as Stanley Washington’s wife, said that Stanley “has a heart of gold.”

That is the story.

People, this is where the rubber meets the road.  I am now coming back full-circle to where I was during the George Zimmerman case.  Anyone who follows this blog should know that I stand for equality for all and that includes equal justice.  You might also know that I am opposed to Stand Your Ground law.  This particular case, for me, is not one of taking sides of who is right or wrong.  Rather, this is a case of people being careful of the things they request or demand of government officials in petitions. This is why …

Jury Finds Yanez Not Guilty In The Death of Philando Castile

Philando Castile

After approximately 29 hours of deliberations, the jury in the manslaughter case of St. Anthony, Minnesota police officer Jeronimo Yanez has returned a verdict of not guilty.  Yanez was also charged with two felony counts of intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety for firing his weapon.  When he shot and killed Philando Castile, Castile’s girlfriend and her 4-year old daughter were passengers in the car.  Bullets barely missed both of them.

During deliberations, the jury requested to review the transcript of Yanez’s interview with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  Judge William H. Leery III denied their request.   By Wednesday, the jury was deadlocked, but the judge sent them back to keep deliberating.

Kare11 reports that this morning, the jury handed a note to Judge Leary III requesting to have the transcript of Yanez’s testimony while on the stand and the cross examination read aloud in court.  The judge denied their request.

We followed the trial at this link.

If there are press conferences filmed later where the videos are on Youtube so they can be embedded here, I will post them in the comment section.

UPDATE:

Las Vegas Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter For Choking Man To Death

On May 14, 2017 at about 1 a.m., 40-year old Tashii Brown (also known by the last name Farmer) approached police offficer Kenneth Lopera of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Lopera and another officer were in a coffee shop in the Venetian which is located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

According to police, Tashii asked them if they knew where a drinking fountain was located and said that people were chasing him.  He then abruptly ran through an employee-only area. Lopera gave chase.  When he caught up with Tashii, he was trying to unlatch the tailgate of an occupied pickup truck.  Lopera believed that Tashii was trying to carjack the truck, and he tased Tashii.  The driver later told investigators that he did not think he was being carjacked.

Lopera shocked Tashii 7 times.  Body cam video from the incident shows Tashii writhing on his back in pain with his hands in the air as Lopera commanded him to roll onto his stomach.  Lopera hit Tashii with a closed fist several times in the head and face. He then put Tashii in a chokehold and held him in that chokehold until other officers arrived.  Body cam video shows that another officer told Lopera to release his chokehold on Tashii, but Lopera continued the hold for another 46 seconds.

Hung Jury In Trial of Former Garland Texas Officer

In December 2016, we followed the trials of Michael Slager and Dylann Roof.  There was also another trial.

Patrick Tuter, left. Michael Allen, right.

In August 2012, Officer Patrick Tuter of Garland, Texas led a vehicle chase of unarmed 25 year old Michael Allen.  Tuter fired at Michael 41 times, reloading several times and hitting Michael 3 times.   The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Officer performed the autopsy and determined that Michael suffered gunshot wounds to his upper back, side, and left elbow.

Tuter’s official report was that he opened fired after Michael rammed a patrol car.  The dashboard video however, showed that it was Tuter’s patrol car that rammed into Michael’s truck.  Tuter fired his gun from the back, left-side of Michael’s truck.

Michael Allen’s body was pulled out of the cab of his truck by a K9 who chewed his face.

In March 2013, Tuter was fired for violating department policies on pursuits and use of force.  He had been on the force 7 years.

In November, 2013, a grand jury indicted Tuter on a manslaughter charge which if convicted, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. 

Hung Jury in Michael Slager’s Trial

Walter Scott. RIP

Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager was charged with murder or voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man.  Walter Scott was shot in the back 5 times.

Trial began on November 3, 2016, with closing arguments on November 30, 2016.  We followed the trial on this blog with part 1; part 2; and part 3.

A by-stander’s video was released shortly after the deadly encounter that shows Slager unholstered his weapon and fire as Walter ran away.  Slager’s attorney then withdrew his representation and Slager was terminated from his job and charged with murder.

On Friday, the jury told judge Judge Newman that one juror was holding out for a not-guilty verdict.  Subsequently, the jury told Judge Newman that with further instructions on the law, they might be able to come to a unanimous decision.

After sending questions to the court this morning, and receiving answers to those questions, the jury sent a note saying they were deadlocked.

Judge Newman declared a mistrial.

Michael Slager also faces federal charges, including violation of Walter Scott’s civil rights.  That trial is scheduled for next year.

Source: CBS

 

Former Officer Ray Tensing on Trial For Killing Sam DuBose

Sam DuBose

On July 19 2015, Sam DuBose was shot and killed by now former University of Cincinnati Police Officer Ray Tensing.  Hamilton County prosecutors say that DuBose’s death was unwarranted and it was murder.  Sam did not have a weapon or appear to be reaching for a weapon.

Tensing’s defense is that DuBose dragged him with the car.

Prosecutors say that Tensing’s bodycam shows that he was not dragged.  A grand jury indicted Tensing on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter. Tensing was terminated from the police department.

The murder charge carries the possibility of life in prison. The voluntary manslaughter charge carries the possibility of 3 to 11 years in prison.

Tensing’s Background

Virginia Officer Stephen Rankin Found Guilty Of Manslaughter

William Chapman

It began on April 22, 2015 in a Walmart parking lot in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Police received a call of a shoplifter.  Portsmouth police officer Stephen Rankin came to the scene and saw 18-year old William Chapman walking in the parking lot.  William was wearing a backpack.  Rankin stopped Chapman on suspicion of shoplifting.  William denied that he shoplifted anything.

The situation ended with Rankin shooting William twice, once in the chest, and once in the face.  The coroner found that William was handcuffed when he was shot.  No stolen property was found on William.  An autopsy report found that the shots were not fired at close range, which contradicted Rankin’s story that William was close to him, failed to comply with his demands, and lunged at him.  A video of Rankin’s taser was examined.

An investigation was held that was completed on August 21, 2015.   A grand jury indicted Rankin.  He was charged with first-degree murder and using a firearm to commit a felony.

Robert Bates on Trial For Murdering Eric Harris

Bates and Harris

Trial started this week for Robert Bates, the ex-volunteer reserve sheriff deputy for the Tulsa County, Oklahoma’s Sheriff’s office.

On April 2, 2015, an undercover deputy was conducting a sting operation to catch 44-year old Eric Harris illegally selling a gun.  Bates, who is 73-years old, volunteered to help out.  Eric ran, and upon apprehension and taken to the ground, Bates pulled his gun and shot Eric in the back.

Bates’ defense is that he thought he was taking out and discharging his taser and not his .357.  Bates is charged with 2^nd degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces up to 4 years in prison.

The killing of Eric Harris resulted in activists organizing.  The actions of We The People resulted in a grand jury investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff’s office. The grand jury indicted Sheriff Glanz on 2 misdemeanor charges, including one for denying lawful requests of internal investigations into his office’s Reserve Deputy program.  After almost 30 years as Sheriff,  Stanley Glanz resigned.

Convicted Murderer Peter Liang Gets No Jail Time For Killing Akai Gurley

Photo: (Left) AP, (right) Facebook

Peter Liang is the former New York rookie cop who killed Akai Gurley in a stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project.  Akai was unarmed.  He was doing no wrong; committing no crime.

On February 11, 2016, a jury returned a guilty verdict, convicting Liang of manslaughter.  He faced a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.

At his sentencing hearing, Liang apologized to Akai’s girlfriend who is the mother of Akai’s daughter, saying, “I’m not a man of many words.  The shot was an accident.”

Today, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced Liang to five years probation and 800 hours of community service for the death of 28-year-old dad Akai Gurley — after reducing the charge against the cop.

Peter Liang Found Guilty of Manslaughter For the Killing of Akai Gurley

Justice for Akai

New York police officer Peter Liang, who shot and killed an unarmed man in a New York housing project stairwell in 2014, has been found guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct. Liang was charged with 5 counts in the death of 28-year old Akai.

Liang was charged with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, criminally negligent homicide and official misconduct.

The jury consisted of 7 men and 5 women.   During trial, Liang testified in his own defense.  He testified that his gun went off by accident after he entered the pitch-black stairwell and heard a “quick sound” coming from his left side that startled him and caused him to “tense up” and fire his weapon.

A major contention happened at trial when prosecutors presented that Liang did not administer first aid to Akai.  Prosecutors called on a number of instructors from the Police Academy to testify about the training recruits receive. While they described to jurors what each officer is taught, Liang and his partner, Landau, testified that they received minimal CPR training and were therefore unable to render aid.

Liang’s sentencing is set for April 14.  The manslaughter conviction carries up to 15 years in prison.  For those not completely informed about the case, we reported on it earlier.  You can also put “Peter Liang” in the search box found on the right-side border.

 

 

Robert Bates – A License To Purge 

Hi! Santiago here.

Has anyone seen the movie The Purge?

Wikipedia describes it as;

The Purge is a 2013 American social science fiction action horror film written and directed by James DeMonaco. It stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane and Max Burkholder.

The “New Founding Fathers of America”, which took over following an economic collapse and instituted totalitarian rule, has established one night a year -called “the Purge”- in which all crime is legal and all police, fire and medical emergency services are shut down for 12 hours, from 7 pm till 7 am. The purge has resulted in crime and unemployment rates plummeting to 1% and a strong economy. Although it is thought to be used as an act of catharsis for the U.S. populace, in reality, it is used as a method of artificial population control, as the people living in poor areas are usually the main targets.

Today’s events, and particularly what Tulsa, OK pay-to-play Bates did, caused me to think of The Purge.  Words can not express my disgust when looking at the events that led to this tragedy.  Sure, Eric Harris was illegally selling firearms to undercover wanna be cop Robert Bates, but the question remains as to how and why a 73-year old business man would be allowed to participate in undercover sting operations such as this.

Cleveland Police Officer Charged With Two Counts of Voluntary Manslaughter

Officer Brelo (left) with his attorney

The incident, as determined by a federal investigation.involved 37 percent of the Cleveland Police Department, consisting of 62 police vehicles and more than a hundred officers. One however, now faces trial for two counts of voluntary manslaughter because he stood on the hood of an unarmed suspect’s car and fired 49 shots using his Glock 17.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Officer Michael Brelo and found charges against five supervisors for dereliction of duty. Brelo’s trial is scheduled to begin today, April 6, 2015. He has chosen to have a bench trial.

It happened on November 29, 2012. Timothy Russell was driving his Chevy Malibu and Malissa Williams was Timothy’s passenger. Cleveland police officer John Jordan stopped Timothy Russell for a signal violation. Jordan had seen Timothy and Malissa outside the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s men’s homeless shelter, which is a spot that the cops refer to as “the wall” because it is known for drug dealing. Officer Jordan stopped Timothy for a signal violation, but suspected Timothy and Malissa of drug activity. Timothy took off.

On Feb. 5, 2013, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine gave a statement saying;

“To state the obvious, this chase could have ended without tragic results if Timothy Russell had simply stopped his car in response to the police pursuit. Perhaps the alcohol and the cocaine in his system impaired his judgment. We will never know.”

Timothy’s Malibu had a history of engine woes, and as he drove away from officer Jordan, his car backfired just as he passed another police vehicle near the city’s jail. The officer at that vehicle mistook the backfire for a gunshot.

Steal $90K, Get 6 Months In Jail And Other News

Jeffrey Daday

New York – Between January 2009 and May 2014, Jeffrey Daday, 36, stole more than $90,000 from parking meters. Daday was formerly the parking inspector officer for Mount Kisco, New York.

It was the bank workers who alerted police. They found that the depositing of quarters, dimes and nickels in large amounts to be suspicious.

Daday was subsequently caught in a sting operation. In September, he pleaded guilty in Westchester County Court in White Plains to second-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering of a false instrument for filing. Daday faced a 15-year jail sentence, but he paid the money back and was sentenced to 6 months and 5 years of probation.

Dooley and Zimmerman Cases – Same Law, Different Verdicts – Why?

Trevor Dooley. Found by the jury to be the initial aggressor for leaving his garage with a loaded gun and approaching David James.

On January 23, 2013, I wrote an article on the significance of the Dooley decision.  It is a Florida case where the defendant claimed self-defense.  Trevor Dooley was found guilty of manslaughter.  His case is currently on appeal.

Trayvon Martin. Found by jury to be the initial aggressor for exercising his right to be out of his residence when confronted by George Zimmerman.

When I first heard of the Dooley case, I expected that he would prevail on his claim of Stand Your Ground because of testimony that Dooley was walking back to his house when David James came up behind him, knocking him to the ground.

After the verdict and when I wrote the article, it was my position that the jury applied the facts to Florida law from the beginning, finding that if not but for the fact that Trevor Dooley left his garage with a loaded gun and approached David James for mouthing off at him, the two would not have come into physical contact.

Likewise, I said that if not but for the fact that George Zimmerman got out of his car with a loaded gun to follow Trayvon, the two would not have come into physical contact.  It was my position that the Zimmerman jury would find him guilty of 2nd degree murder, or manslaughter, by applying the law of initial aggressor to the facts.

I was wrong.