This shooting has been on the news the past few days and I had to mention it. It seems like these incidents are all too common here in New York. The officer said that pulling the trigger was a "knee-jerk reaction" when the door swung open and that he doesn't even remember shooting this poor kid. If that's an excuse that can keep a person out of jail, then there is no justice in the world. If you are so jumpy that when a door swings open during a routine patrol of an apartment building, you pull out your gun and shoot without a second thought, then you have a problem and you should not be in the business of protecting and serving the public. And the thought that the most that this guy could face is losing his job is even more disturbing. It amazes me that police officers can commit these types of crimes again and again and they just get placed on paid desk duty for a couple of weeks and then they're back to their lives as normal. No consequences for the wicked. This was a murder like any other and should be treated the same. With a long, loooong jail sentence. And in fact, I believe it should be treated as a hate crime since it seems to be a clear case of racism. I have a feeling that if the door had swung open and it had been a young white boy standing on the other side, that gun never would have gone off.
Posted by Maria at January 27, 2004 11:42 PM | TrackBackI have so much respect for police officers but this is so horrible. I just cannot imagine how this family is holding together right now. Whenever they see a police officer for the rest of their lives they'll see a killer. This police officer has done so much more. He has shaken the trust in this community. You teach your kids to find a policeman when you're in trouble, it's just so sad.
Posted by: sandy at January 28, 2004 05:03 PMOkay, I hope you don't mind me putting this on here..it's some what law enforment related. I'm so mad. My brother is currently held in a Georgia prison...I just talked to him last night for the first time since November, he's been in the hole and what not..over Xmas he says everyone was getting high, the joints were being passed around and pretty openly. You know where they get the shit right..the fucking guards..anyway right after the holiday season everyone got popped for a urine test and big surprise everyone came up dirty. My brother and alot of guys were up for parole and now since the urine was dirty his and others sentences have been extended...so outside of getting high most of them have been on good behavior. The prisons are busting at the seams now so tax payers will continue to pay for my bro and other people because prison guards brought them dope. This is dirty also..the prison he's at has a meat packing plant. He says the state of GA buys the cattle, inmates slaughter, cut and package the meat than the state turns around and buys the packaged meat AGAIN. Please someone explain to me how this works. Okay..I'm so upset, so I'll close, was just looking forward to seeing my brother as a free man before I went overseas and now my goodbye will be in a dirty crooked prison.
Posted by: sandy at January 29, 2004 10:08 AMWow, that blows my mind. For some reason, I can't get over the fact that they have inmates butchering animals. For some reason that doesn't seem like the best way to rehabilitate violent criminals. Lettin 'em have at some cattle with an axe. Talk about getting out some homicidal aggression. And I wish I could explain about the state buying the meat twice, but that stumps the hell out of me. Sounds like typical senseless bureaucratic bullshit.
That doesn't seem fair at all with the drug testing, but doesn't surprise me all that much. I believe law enforcement takes a huge part in the drug trade inside and outside of prisons and then they arrest or in this case, further punish, those who they distributed the drugs to in the first place. A real catch 22.
Posted by: Maria at January 29, 2004 12:14 PMMaria
thanks for letting me vent..I just feel like someone has ripped my heart out right now. I'll be the first to admit my bro is no angel...but I do love him and I stand behind his sentence, he got what he deserved but I just hate to see him stay behind bars for this. The last 11yrs have been hard on all who care for Mike. When my parents divorced he became like a father instead of a brother and though he's mistreated alot of people, he's always shown me kindness, tenderness and alot of love. I'm just not in a good place today..
I'm sorry to hear that Sandy. I can only put myself in your shoes to the extent that I have an older brother too and I know how deep sibling love goes. No matter what, I could never stop loving him with every ounce of my soul. I always worry about him and pray that he will succeed in life despite all of his difficulties. There's nothing worse than knowing that your sibling is suffering, especially when you are very close. Buck up sweetie! I hope you feel better.
Posted by: Maria at January 29, 2004 03:47 PM