Bad Boys II

[Dill]

(06-14-2020, 11:25 PM)CKwi88 Wrote: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/autopsy-rayshard-brooks-death-considered-homicide-shot-twice-in-the-back 

Well they ruled it as a homicide. While the idealist in me would like the cops to have not shot a man that was running away, I can't really fault them for firing on the guy after he was pointing a weapon, even if it was a taser.

Actually, I believe it is illegal to shoot someone running away who is no threat to arresting officers.

Tennessee vs Garner 1985 https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/471/1/

Held: The Tennessee statute is unconstitutional insofar as it authorizes the use of deadly force against, as in this case, an apparently unarmed, nondangerous fleeing suspect; such force may not be used unless necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others.

That taser is not like a gun, and unlikely to count as a lethal weapon in court. In this case, the guy fired a "dangerous" (not lethal) weapon, apparently missed, then turned and ran. No danger to the cop at that moment, or anyone else. But Brooks has two holes in his back.

The guy definitely should not have resisted the cops and grabbed a taser. But if the choice is between killing a possible DUI resisting arrest, or letting him flee, then you let him flee. Otherwise the harm done the individual far exceeds the harm done society.

The "Police culture" which does not see it that way probably goes well beyond the police force; one of the issues at stake in the upcoming election.

By firing the offending officer and resigning, the chief sends a strong signal the Atlanta Dept. is serious about changing that culture.