This is a thought I commented on a post about the Staten Island Grand Jury failing to indict Officer Pantaleo after the death of Eric Garner. Tell me what you think. https://youtube/watch?v=j1ka4oKu1jo - - - Theres a lot wrong with how the situation was handled on both sides. It was very likely a race issue. Its also very likely that they got tired of telling him to stop selling cigarettes on the corner. They probably harassed him more than necessary for a (very) petty crime. But regardless, what he was doing is illegal. They told him he was under arrest. He failed to comply. They clearly used WAY more than necessary force, but look at the size of him. Its beyond tragic that he died as a result of the situation. A grievous crime against humanity. However, I find it incredibly hard to believe that the officer intended for anything to happen beyond his apprehension. As horrific as the result is, I think the procedure the officer used was in fact lawful. Even though the way it played out is literally the worst case scenario, Im not sure that jail time for the offending officer would be right (in the eyes of the law.) Maybe he could have been indicted, but I tend to think that the likelihood of him being convicted of any crime are infinitesimally slim. Police officers ought to use better discretion in these situations. People being stopped by police offices ought to use better discretion in these situations. If a deputy tells you that youre under arrest, you are in fact under arrest, whether you think you ought to be or not. Whether youre guilty of a crime or not. That part is up to the court system. The common threads I see in most of these cases are 1) police officers abuse their authority in many situations, harass people unnecessarily, and try to assert their dominance over citizens, and 2) people dont think that what the police officer says is law, and they ALMOST NEVER comply with the officers wishes. The fact of the matter is, the word of the police IS law until proven otherwise in court. It sucks sometimes, but I think its a necessary method when trying to maintain lawfulness in such a crime-infested country. My heart breaks for the man that died and his family as well as the officer and his family (who was forced to resign and will likely have to move away from his home to protect himself and his family.) These are accidents that happen in a world marked with depravity.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 15:14:17 +0000
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