Baltimorei

[gimmethesimplelife]

I for one am glad that these six officers in Baltimore have been charged. From what I understand Baltimore has calmed down a great deal since these officers where charged. What I am hoping is - please, please, please - the next time there are questionable circumstances as there were in Baltimore, that it won't take rioting, looting, and burning to have the officers involved face the law with no immunity due to being police officers.

That said, I have a question. Let's say that there had been no rioting or looting or burning - does anyone here other than me believe that these officers would not have been charged minus the drama? (i.e. rioting, looting, burning) This is an example of why I believe as I do about America - without the drama, I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell these officers would be facing charges. Very sad that often America requires drama for laws to be upheld - this is beyond my ability to forgive and/or forget. But. as I've stated already in this thread, it takes what it takes. At least officers are facing charges and next time, in whatever US city such drama plays out in next, maybe those with power might take heed of common sense, and have police officers in said next city be accountable to the law BEFORE drama is perceived as necessary to have laws upheld? Ummmm.....I don't have much faith, but who knows? Rob

[Alan]

Let's say that there had been no rioting or looting or burning - does anyone here other than me believe that these officers would not have been charged minus the drama?

If there were reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, I believe those responsible would have been charged. The rioting simply guaranteed that everyone in the vicinity is being charged, right or wrong.

Giving in to a mob isn't justice.

[bae]

Alan Dershowitz, infamous right wing oppressor of the under classes, seems to disagree with your assessment of the wisdom of charging the officers at this time, Rob.

Makes a good political statement though, especially to people unfamiliar with how the process works.

Enjoy.

[gimmethesimplelife]

If there were reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, I believe those responsible would have been charged. The rioting simply guaranteed that everyone in the vicinity is being charged, right or wrong.

Giving in to a mob isn't justice.

You really honestly believe that without the rioting, looting, and burning these six officers would have faced charges? I don't believe they would have without the intense drama. This is something else America has taught me - not only legal settlements but drama is sometimes necessary for laws to be upheld. I don't know how to forgive America for this - it's simply inexcusable. But at least in Baltimore drama worked.....here's a wish that human beings in future similar situations will be worth the human rights and human dignity afforded by having police officers accountable to the law - and without litigation and/or intense drama being necessary.

With all the years I've lived in America, I'm not holding my breath on this wish, though. Rob

[Alan]

You really honestly believe that without the rioting, looting, and burning these six officers would have faced charges?

I thought I was clear, let me try again. I believe that the wrong-doer, if an investigation found there to be one, would be charged. The fact that 6 are being charged tells me that pure democracy, otherwise known as mob rule, is in play in Baltimore. If America taught you to expect that, you were mis-lead.

[Packy]

Alan Dershowitz, infamous right wing oppressor of the under classes, seems to disagree with your assessment of the wisdom of charging the officers at this time, Rob.

Makes a good political statement though, especially to people unfamiliar with how the process works.

Enjoy.

I saw the Dershowitz interview, and I happen to agree with his statement.

[Gregg]

This is something else America has taught me - not only legal settlements but drama is sometimes necessary for laws to be upheld. I don't know how to forgive America for this - it's simply inexcusable. But at least in Baltimore drama worked.....

I think most laws are upheld fairly regularly without the addition of the media's dramatic license. It certainly did work in Baltimore, though. It worked to boost cable news ratings, YouTube hits, tweets, newspaper sales, the public profile of a young State's Attorney...

The odds against getting a conviction on second degree murder or manslaughter charges seem pretty overwhelming (see Graham v. Conner and others). The State certainly knows that which leads me to guess this might be a ploy to pacify the mob and avoid a Fergusonesque summer. If so, its not a completely ridiculous strategy, but do we really need a lesson about using the ends to justify the means?

[catherine]

Also, look at the timing of the announcement of the indictments--Friday afternoon, strategically planned to avoid weekend rioting. It was riot-to-be turned victory parade. I understand that the community considers the indictments to be a victory of sorts, but having a "victory" parade in the wake of tragedy--a death and six indictments--seems like a poor choice of words.

[JaneV2.0]

During the 68 Democratic convention chaos in Chicago, Old Man Daley said looters would be shot on sight, I believe. Too bad that's not an option now.

Because an attack on business is a sound justification for execution without trial, right? Just like walking/driving while black justifies whatever brutality head-banger police want to dish out. I guess it's only a police state when somebody else is being roughed up.

[bae]

Because an attack on business is a sound justification for execution without trial, right?

I believe this point was addressed up-thread.

But yes, if you look at the laws of most states, use of lethal force is permitted to suppress riots. Been that way for a long long time.