Bad Boys II

[fredtoast]

(06-26-2020, 09:17 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I have 0 idea how many times I can say this: Brooks was not shot for fleeing. 

You are 100% correct.

Brooks was not shot for fleeing.

I will even be as fair as possible and say that Brooks was not shot for racists reasons.

But Brooks was not shot in the name of justice or protecting anyone either.

Brooks was shot in a rage.

For a half hour or so Rolfe was one of the most professional and reasonable law enforcement officers I have ever seen. I watch a lot of videos, and many cops that I know as nice guys affect an aggressive, domineering attitude when dealing with suspects.  But Rolfe was cordial and treated Brooks with full respect.  Then that son-of-a-***** Brooks punched him in the face and shot a taser at him.  He was in a rage when he killed Brooks.  That is why he kicked Brooks' body as he lay dying.  That is why he didn't go for his first aid kit until another cruiser rolled up.  If you watch the videos you can see that he was still in a rage when he described being shot at to the other officvers.

So I don't think it is first degree murder.  In Tenneessee this would be a 2nd degree murder.  That is an intentional killing but without premeditation.  Usually defined as a murder committed "in a heat of passion" or under the influence of an "uncontrollable impulse".

No matter how much some of you may sympathize with Rolfe's rage it still is not an excuse for murder.