Quote Originally Posted by Tradd View Post
Sweet Jesus, Rob, the average cop isn't as much of a marksman as you would seem to believe. Many cops only shoot once a year, when they qualify with their duty weapon(s) and maybe the pistols their agency allows them to carry off-duty. Ammo is expensive (the cheapest I've found is $13/50 rounds of 9mm target rounds). Due to budget cuts, there isn't as much training as there might have been in the past. Cops often only shoot more if they're into firearms. I shoot more than the average cop.

Shooting at a kneecap on someone running at you? Danged difficult. The average "hit rate" of cops is something like 17% from the figures I've read.

Tasers don't necessarily immobilize someone.

Toxicology tests are always part of an autopsy.

Obviously, nothing said is going to change your mind. Cops are all hell bent on evil, to suppress the lower class is what I take away from your posts. Sounds to me like you would be thrilled if more riots broke out. After all, the "haves" would have their stuff/businesses destroyed and the "have nots" might get some more of the pie.
Ummmm......consider me the one person on a jury who would hold everyone and everything up and question everything. That would be me in a case like this. And I don't believe all cops are bad, and I don't believe this cop started his day with the intention to kill someone, and I don't believe that all cops are hell bent on evil. Truly this statement here is true. That said, research has shown that folks in minority/lower income neighborhoods take more grief from the police and are sentenced for longer periods of time and are more often sent to jail/prison when innocent than better off folks are. This I deeply have issues with and we're talking about the loss of a life here, even if the deceased was a thug. What happened to this society's stance on rehabilitation that it once held when I was younger? Has society no compassion at all? And no, I would not be thrilled if more riots broke out - I'd be more embarrassed to be an American is what I'd be if this took place. Sad but true. Why on earth would you think I'd want riots to break out? As far as the have nots getting more of the pie, looting and rioting is not the answer, please believe me when I say I understand this.

As far as changing my mind - didn't I admit the deceased was a thug? Didn't I mention a few posts back that the authorities do have a right to state their case in court? Have you not seen some changes in my posts as more details have been revealed? Have I not said that I see huge missteps on BOTH sides? What you are seeing here in just typical lower class mistrust of the police and the legal system - I will always have that based on what I have seen in my days. BUT did I not say back during the OJ trial I sided with the prosecution? Nothing has changed there, today I would still side with the prosecution based on the evidence presented and the facts brought to light. It's always possible I may change my mind here, who knows? Based on what we know NOW, I say excessive force, especially with the militarization of the police after the death and due to the journalists being assaulted/arrested.

Consider me a breath of fresh air around here - I'm definitely one who is willing to take the unpopular stance and I'm also very true to my upbringing/class. Rob