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You are here: Home / Civil Rights / Criminal Justice / Shitty Cops / Philando Castile’s Killer Walks

Philando Castile’s Killer Walks

by Tom Levenson|  June 16, 20175:20 pm| 113 Comments

This post is in: Shitty Cops, Bitter Despair is the New Black, Stuff About Black People Written By a Black Person

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To the surprise of exactly no one paying attention in 21st century America, another extrajudicial killing by a cop ends with the killer walking free:

The Minnesota police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop was acquitted on all charges by a jury Friday, a decision that came nearly a year after the encounter was partially streamed online before a rapt nation in the midst of a painful reckoning over shootings by law enforcement.

Officer Jeronimo Yanez pulled Castile’s car over in Falcon Heights, a suburb near Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the officer later said he thought Castile matched the description of a suspect in a robbery. The stop quickly escalated.

Yanez fired into the car, saying later he thought Castile was going for his gun, a claim Castile’s girlfriend, sitting in the seat next to him, disputed. She began filming the aftermath of the shooting with her phone.

I’m going to outsource anything I might say entirely to NPR Code Switch/Post Bourgie’s Gene Denby:

 

Again: I’d bet good money there is no one conscious in America today didn’t expect this outcome at all un.  Which is the most enraging fact of all within this wretched story.

Over to you.  I’ve nothing left but blank depression and incoherent rage.

Update:

Via AP:

A Minnesota city says it will dismiss a police officer even though he was cleared of all charges in the fatal shooting of a black motorist.

The city of St. Anthony says it concluded the public “will be best served” if Officer Jeronimo (yeh-RON’-ih-moh) Yanez no longer works for the city. The statement says the city plans to offer Yanez a “voluntary separation” so he can find another job.

The city says Yanez will not return to active duty.

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Previous Post: « Trolling the Big Leagues and Winning
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Reader Interactions

113Comments

  1. 1.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    This country always was a police state for certain kinds of people. Practically any non-white; that includes Europeans who at the time weren’t “white” enough

    If things keep going the way they are, it won’t matter what color our skin is, we’ll all be under the thumb of the white nationalist gestapo

  2. 2.

    rikyrah

    June 16, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    No shock in the least.

  3. 3.

    Aimai

    June 16, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    Thanks for this pist, Tom. And the very powerful storify.

  4. 4.

    Ryan

    June 16, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    “Over to you. I’ve nothing left but blank depression and incoherent rage.”

    You and Twittler appear to have something in common.

  5. 5.

    rikyrah

    June 16, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    The NRA silence on his death was quite telling…

    2nd Amendment..uh huh

  6. 6.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    Being a cop just got a bit more dangerous.

    Judged by 12 instead of carried by 6 works both ways.

    /So this is a +4 day so far.

  7. 7.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Who the fuck is on these juries? I guess when the defense is acting in the best interests of their client, and the prosecution is acting in the best interests of the defendant, you end up with this shit.

    ETA: On a side note, thank you for using screenshots instead of embedding 20 tweets.

  8. 8.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    @rikyrah:

    The NRA silence on his death was quite telling…

    You must be at least this white to possess a gun without being shot.

    /Might as well be NRA official policy. They’re not even pretending at this point.

  9. 9.

    Adria McDowell (formerly Lurker Extraordinaire

    June 16, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: This would include people with names like Jerónimo Yáñez.

    Sigh. I can’t blame black folks AT ALL for being angry.

  10. 10.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    I just finished reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, so the timing works out well for me.

    Otherwise, this sucks.

  11. 11.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    Here’s a game of Who Said It?:

    Literally anyone on the far-right today or Adolf Hitler:

    “I won’t be a spoilsport to any of my men. If I demand the utmost of them, I must also permit them to let off steam as they please, not as it suits a lot of elderly church hens. My lads are no angels, God knows. Nor are they expected to be. I’ve no use for goody-goodies!”

  12. 12.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:31 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Who the fuck is on these juries?

    People who were unable to get out of being able to serve on a jury and/or people with too much time on their hands.

  13. 13.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    @TenguPhule: But that’s true for every jury in the country, and most jury trials aren’t complete travesties.

  14. 14.

    trollhattan

    June 16, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:
    I can’t imagine but I do have a suspicion the prosecutor maybe doesn’t always bring their A-game to these cases (and that’s when the DA caves to make the charge to begin with). The entire system tilts in the cop’s favor.

  15. 15.

    Shinobi

    June 16, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    His death was senseless, and it going unpunished is enraging.

  16. 16.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    I will repeat what I said below:

    Even if you take the cop’s story at face value that this was a case of mistaken identity and the cop panicked, name any other job where you can mistakenly kill an innocent person while on the job and not be tossed out on your ear almost immediately.

  17. 17.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Police are always given the benefit of the doubt here in these United States. It helps if the cop is a Nice Clean-Cut Police Officer and the vic is a Darkie Thug. Oh, and an almost white jury. Can’t forget that

  18. 18.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    It is a hot topic on local sites. My “favorite” response if one asshole that said it was Castiles fault because he told the cop he had a gun at the start instead of waiting. _I_ want to start shooting white people.

    Here is what I am posting when people bring it up
    I am sure the NRA will be really upset with this. Mr. Castile was a licensed CC owner who informed the officer he was carrying legally. The officer promptly shot him repeatedly. You know the NRA has to be really pissed off & will soon be demanding discipline against the officer. . . . Right?

  19. 19.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: They are when it comes to police on trial. The vast majority of cases are travesties no matter which state you are in, because the police get the benefit of the doubt regardless of the evidence and many of these jurors are “law and order” morons who think the violations they see on Police dramas by Police are SOP and excused as being done for the greater good.

  20. 20.

    trollhattan

    June 16, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    name any other job where you can mistakenly kill an innocent person while on the job and not be tossed out on your ear almost immediately.

    Cruise line chef?

  21. 21.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    @Mnemosyne: He should have faced some consequences for this. Did he at least get suspended without pay?

  22. 22.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    You know the NRA has to be really pissed off & will soon be demanding discipline against the officer. . . . Right?

    There’s a dead cricket over there on your right somewhere.

  23. 23.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Did he at least get suspended without pay?

    No, union bargaining would have protected him against that. Its with pay.

  24. 24.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    My “favorite” response if one asshole that said it was Castiles fault because he told the cop he had a gun at the start instead of waiting.

    Jesus fuck. On what planet does a guy planning to shoot a cop at a traffic stop first announce to the cop that there’s a gun in the car that he has a license for?

  25. 25.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: I thought someone said below that he was let go.

  26. 26.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    name any other job where you can mistakenly kill an innocent person while on the job and not be tossed out on your ear almost immediately.

    Doctor.

    Sorry, you did ask. But at least most of the time its an honest mistake, not murder.

  27. 27.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    @Schlemazel: They won’t because the NRA consist of a bunch of fascist thugs and grifters who couldn’t give two shits that a black man was shot to death. Even though he owned a gun legally, a CC permit is only valid if the holder is white

  28. 28.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    @Baud: Now he was. But before that, bupkus.

  29. 29.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    @trollhattan:

    I’m pretty sure that whole kitchen crew was fired as soon as they got back to shore.

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    He apparently just got fired today after the verdict came down.

  30. 30.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    any other job where you can mistakenly kill an innocent person while on the job and not be tossed out on your ear almost immediately.

    President? General?

  31. 31.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @Mnemosyne: Good. Hope he gets blacklisted and has to become a rent-a-cop

  32. 32.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Something to remember… the prosecutor has to convince twelve people beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense only has to confuse one.

    As a culture, we’ve had TV shows and movies glorifying the police for 60 years. There is a whole lot of built-in bias towards the police and a whole lot of prejudice against multiple segment of society, including POC, the LGBTQ community, people of the wrong religion, etc.

    This is a travesty.

  33. 33.

    Chyron HR

    June 16, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Thankfully, the senator from Vermont has decreed that white working class lives are what really matter, so I no longer have to be bothered by the summary execution of African-Americans in the street.

  34. 34.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    @trollhattan: yeah, that’s what I meant by the prosecution acting in the best interests of the defendant, this is what I get for trying to be clever.

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): jury verdicts are unanimous though, guilty or not guilty. …right?

  35. 35.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    BTW – our daughter went to high school with the cop. She now lives 800 miles away but when I told her what had happened she was surprised because the shooter was a nice guy & she could not imagine him acting like this. But then she is white & has not seen him in 10 years, she is pretty upset with him

  36. 36.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    @TenguPhule:
    bastard probably shot that too..
    Sorry but bitter humor is the only thing keeping me “sane” at the moment

    @Mnemosyne: EXACTLY! It is also what you are instructed to do in class.

  37. 37.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Personally, I find the standard cop appearance very off-putting: buzz cut, sun glasses… throw in a stupid trooper hat as well. Yeah, I’m judging by appearance. YMMV.

  38. 38.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @Schlemazel: I’m planning on being +4 today. You a drinker?

  39. 39.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Yup.

    The dynamic I mention also explains why when you have a black suspect, the DA seems to frequently use juror refusals on POC… fear of jury nullification I suppose.

  40. 40.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:
    Yeah, that was what I am hopping people will take from the idea. I know I can’t change ignorant minds on how it is deadly to just be a black man in America but maybe taking support away from the NRA is something

  41. 41.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    jury verdicts are unanimous though, guilty or not guilty. …right?

    Only for guilty or non-guilty. Anything else is normally a hung jury. YMMV depending on the State.

  42. 42.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): I guess I don’t get the quip then. Wouldn’t both sides have to convince twelve people, or else there would be a mistrial?

    Anyway, I’m assuming the jury selection is fucked up because the DA isn’t really trying, plus all of our other racial and authoritarian biases ladled on for good measure, but I’m still always appalled to imagine who these people must be.

    @TenguPhule: right, and a hung jury is one that has not reached a verdict, hence, verdicts are unanimous.

  43. 43.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    On what planet does a guy planning to shoot a cop at a traffic stop first announce to the cop that there’s a gun in the car that he has a license for?

    Planet Dumb Whitey. Home of the Common Loon and Racist Shitbag. Population: Too many.

  44. 44.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    True, and the same problem applies: there’s a whole societal infrastructure that prevents doctors from being held accountable for their mistakes. As any nurse can tell you, if a doctor makes a fatal mistake, it’s usually the nurses who get fired.

  45. 45.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    jury verdicts are unanimous though, guilty or not guilty. …right?

    My understanding is you need 12 for guilty. 11-1 means not guilty.

  46. 46.

    Formerly disgruntled in Oregon

    June 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @Chyron HR: Seriously? Doesn’t seem like the time or place to stir up the hornets.

  47. 47.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @Schlemazel:

    she was surprised because the shooter was a nice guy

    Maybe he is. Doesn’t mean he’s well trained or calm and composed in tense situations.

  48. 48.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    June 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: I believe he was fired some time after the verdict.

  49. 49.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    @Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Agree. Thanks.

  50. 50.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    We need a word (German would do) for the feeling that incorporates elements of:

    Disgust
    Sadness
    Rage
    Despair
    Resigned acceptance

    with a little bit of:

    Determination
    Resistance
    Aspiration
    “We-shall-overcome”ism

  51. 51.

    MomSense

    June 16, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    I honestly don’t think I would have the strength to survive being black in America. This is an injustice. I’m heartbroken, furious, anguished and aware of how fucking privileged I am. Some of my friends have shared their experiences with giving “the talk” to their sons and then the worry they feel every time their kids leave the house. And what advice to you even give?

    And now the top law enforcement official in the country is a racist scumbag who won’t even feign concern for equal protection or civil rights.

    There is evil at the very heart of America.

  52. 52.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: No. You need a unanimous or supermajority any verdict, depending on state law. Otherwise, it’s a hung jury.

  53. 53.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    I mean someone who kills a person directly by shooting a gun, running them over, etc. Not someone who gave a bad order.

    I know there have been some sad cases here where kids got accidentally run over by bus drivers because the driver didn’t see them. I’m not sure if the drivers got fired or were allowed to quit.

  54. 54.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    @TenguPhule:
    I have real problems with depression so I try not to be but I am having a beer now & may have a second.

    “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.”
    I do not believe in any invisible sky wizards but I do tremble for my country if people of color finally have had enough

  55. 55.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: due to the presumption of innocence you aren’t guilty unless you get a guilty verdict, but a deadlocked jury hasn’t delivered any verdict.

    Ah, now I get the 12:1 thing when you look at it like that though.

    Sorry, trained logician.

  56. 56.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    hence, verdicts are unanimous.

    Only Federal. State level is dependent on the State. Oregon and Louisiana do not require unanimous verdicts.

  57. 57.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I’m studying to be an RN and I can tell you what I learned in class is that it’s up to the nurse to not follow a doctor’s order they feel is unethical or unnecessarily dangerous. If a law or some other rule was broken and the patient died or was otherwise injured as a result, as long as the nurse refused, then they’re not at the fault. The doctor is

  58. 58.

    Mike in NC

    June 16, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    If I’m not mistaken almost every state with Republican majority legislatures are working to pass laws where all anybody needs to do to get a concealed carry permit is to ask for one.

  59. 59.

    HinTN

    June 16, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    @Baud: A difficult and powerful book. Should be required reading everywhere.

  60. 60.

    Schlemazel

    June 16, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    @Baud:
    true enough but I think her expectation was that he was better than this.

  61. 61.

    indycat32

    June 16, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: 11-1 means hung jury and retrial at prosecutor’s discretion

  62. 62.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    A question for lawyers. In light of the thread, is it possible to kill an LEO as a private citizen in self-defense. It’s a legal question I’ve recently thought about

  63. 63.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 16, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Sorry, trained logician.

    Me too.

  64. 64.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): Its not really their appearance that bothers me. It’s this entitlement a not small number of LEOs have to not being held accountable when they break laws and protocols with someone getting killed as a result

  65. 65.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    is it possible to kill an LEO as a private citizen in self-defense.

    Yes. This has happened before when LE have raided the wrong homes instead of the ones they were supposed to. Depending on how white the gunowners were, they tend to avoid being convicted of murder.

    POC on the other hand, tend to get the book thrown at them. If they survive.

  66. 66.

    O. Felix Culpa

    June 16, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: Don’t.Go.There.Online.

    ETA: Even if it’s a genuine hypothetical out of curiosity. Just.don’t.go.there.

  67. 67.

    Brachiator

    June 16, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    If I’m not mistaken almost every state with Republican majority legislatures are working to pass laws where all anybody needs to do to get a concealed carry permit is to ask for one.

    Offer void and prohibited while black.

  68. 68.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    That’s what it’s supposed to be, but it’s pretty common for nurses to get punished after a patient death, but not doctors.

    (Though, to be fair, these nurses probably deserved to be fired.)

  69. 69.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    @Mike in NC: I assume we’ll eventually get to the point where we have opt-out concealed carry permits but you need a passport to vote.

    @Mnemosyne: Ahha, I see. Hm. Athletes accidentally kill each other sometimes.

    @Gin & Tonic: A most unfortunate choice.

  70. 70.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    @O. Felix Culpa: I’m not advocating for someone to go randomly kill police. Just aware that officers are human beings capable of being corrupted like anyone else

  71. 71.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: Self defense is technically available to everyone. But the burden of proof is in the person asserting the defense. So good luck.

  72. 72.

    O. Felix Culpa

    June 16, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: I understand that you’re not advocating. But asking such a question in a public forum in a time of heightened emotions and real violence is unwise.

    ETA: Perhaps this is a case of mistaken identity, but I recall Adam stepped in recently when a commenter (you? not sure now) starting asking about violent hypotheticals for a writing project. It was then and I believe is still now ill-advised to posit such questions online in the current climate.

  73. 73.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: Typically when it happens, the shooters don’t know they are police they are shooting at. What has made things even worse is that some criminals are dressing up as the police when attacking homes (we literally had one home invasion gang doing this recently here, rapists too to boot).

    So yes, the environment is getting ugly. Avoid guns like the plague.

  74. 74.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    The one useful thing Radley Balko has done with his life was to get Cory Maye off Death Row after Maye killed a police officer who burst into his house during a no-knock raid. It was, of course, the wrong house, but a jury sentenced Maye to death anyway. Balko helped get his conviction vacated and Maye eventually signed a manslaughter deal for time served so he could be released.

  75. 75.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Sorry, trained logician.

    Boy did you pick a bad era for that.

  76. 76.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Yes, I believe the plurality of police officers do attempt to do a fair, honorable job. The bad apples, as it were, perhaps seem more plentiful because of the constant news cycle. Or perhaps because more psychological testing on officer candidates and more training should be required. There is not one lone, simple explanation for the problem IMO.

  77. 77.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    @TenguPhule: Yes, it’s a downright dreary market for computer programmers right now.

  78. 78.

    Booger

    June 16, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    Maybe if these reckless murderers are so fearful they shouldn’t choose policing as a career?

  79. 79.

    Baud

    June 16, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: We need to invent a computer than runs on memes and outrage.

  80. 80.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us” is an understandable mentality, but it’s not too legitimate when you’re literally the ones doing the attacking and have a legal monopoly on violence.

    @Baud: No we don’t.

  81. 81.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Warren Zevon even wrote a song about one of them.

    But I think TP’s doctor example is the closer one.

  82. 82.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Boxing and MMA strike me as very barbaric sports. The most esteemed result is to render your opponent unconscious.

  83. 83.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    @O. Felix Culpa: Just honestly curious.

    @TenguPhule:

    That’s why I’ve thought of buying a Taser. Not for a while becz of the cost ($400!). Mostly because of incidents like what happened In Portland. I wish I could have been there to save those people

  84. 84.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 16, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: I didn’t think it was unfortunate. But it was a long time ago.

    Way OT, but have you read this book? I just bought it.

  85. 85.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    That’s why I’ve thought of buying a Taser.

    Don’t. They’ve got all the disadvantages of a gun but are fucking worthless if push comes to shove.

    If you use the shooting one, you miss and/or you fail to hit right, you’re fucked.

    The close range ones have penetration problems.

    Either one qualifies you as armed when someone shoots you.

  86. 86.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: As a rule, I’m allergic to anything that says ‘big data’ on the cover, but let me know if it’s any good.

  87. 87.

    Kathleen

    June 16, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    The retrial of Ray Tensing, the UC cop who killed Sam DuBose is currently underway. I don’t have the heart to follow it in local media, though I was captive prisoner in front of TV playing “news” from affiliate of Sinclair Broadcasting at the dentist’s office yesterday. The courthouse reporter said prosecution requested to add 1st degree Manslaughter along with murder charge. Judge denied motion saying prosecution should have done that from the beginning if that’s what it wanted to do. Anchor smirked and said it sounds like prosecution is worried about verdict and courthouse reporter sneered awhile voicing her agreement. Effers. God I hate broadcast media (with very few exceptions).

    BTW, jury makeup is 9 white, and 3 African American.

  88. 88.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    June 16, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    As I have revealed previously on this forum, I was a civilian (non-sworn) evidence technician and CSI for 13 years in the last century. I have respect for the police in a general way. There were more good ones than bad ones in my experience.

    But I had more respect for the industry prior to finding it my livelihood. I got out because I could feel myself becoming more cynical (a darkening of the soul, as it were).

  89. 89.

    Suzanne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    @Booger:

    Maybe if these reckless murderers are so fearful they shouldn’t choose policing as a career?

    Seriously. This is what gets me, they describe being just fucking PETRIFIED at normal things. Like, who are these delicate snowflakes in the police departments of America?

  90. 90.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    @O. Felix Culpa: It was for a writing project.
    I think this applies:
    http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ItsForABook

  91. 91.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while):

    Or perhaps because more psychological testing on officer candidates and more training should be required.

    My hobbyhorse in this field is training. Right now, our cops are trained to demand instant compliance with their orders, and to react with violence if they don’t get it. That’s why mentally ill or otherwise mentally impaired people are at very high risk of being injured or killed by police.

    There was a very tragic case fairly recently of a star college football player who was shot dead by police because he was disoriented after he was in a car accident and didn’t obey their commands. Why the police were making demands of someone who was profusely bleeding from the head was never satisfactorily explained.

  92. 92.

    ruemara

    June 16, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: They claimed Castile was high. Because the Negros are always puffing on the funny weed. Which unleashes their dangerous super powers.

  93. 93.

    sharl

    June 16, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    From Leon Wolf, an occasionally (maybe often) sane conservative who works as an editor at the often-insane Glenn Beck’s media outfit The Blaze.

    Leon Wolf‏ @LeonHWolf

    In re the acquittal of Philando Castile’s shooter, I have some thoughts. 1/

    I have been to a concealed permit class taught by a former cop. They tell you, if you are pulled over, to immediately tell the cop.. 2/

    “I have a gun, it is registered, I have a permit. The gun is right here.” Do it before the cop asks. 3/

    That no longer seems like very good advice. 4/

    The usual barking seals will applaud this video because they perceive cops as part of their tribe. 5/

    This decision doesn’t make anyone safer. It’s really sad, the total lack of accountability. 6/

    It’s been almost a year since I wrote this, and nothing has changed. {Redstate link} The Uncomfortable Reason Why It Came To This In Dallas Yesterday (Posted at 9:28 am on July 8, 2016)

    If people are not given justice, if they don’t feel the watchers are being watched, undesirable things start to happen. 8/

    Don’t cheer for what happened today. The end. 9/

    He didn’t link the video he referred to in tweet /5; I assume it was probably video in or just outside the courtroom where the not-guilty verdict was reached.

  94. 94.

    Barbara

    June 16, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    This makes me feel empty inside. It was unjust, and I hope his family can at least receive compensation. Nothing will make up for losing a husband or father.

  95. 95.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    @TenguPhule: I suppose I’d like some way to defend myself if the unthinkable happens and stop someone else from being killed. I don’t want a gun. I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s death even if they’re a shithead. So lethal options are off the table

  96. 96.

    Mnemosyne

    June 16, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    @ruemara:

    They were grabbing for any excuse they could to cover up the fact that the cop straight-up killed an innocent guy because he panicked and fucked up.

  97. 97.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 16, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: This is why I try to stick to writing about wizards and disappearing fish.

  98. 98.

    sukabi

    June 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: it’s got to be Hitler, grammatically correct and coherent. Our rwingers have forsaken education as being evil.

    ETA..although it’s exactly the philosophy that our rwingers have embraced.

  99. 99.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    June 16, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    @sukabi: Yup! From the early days of his dictatorship. He was defending his Storm Troopers from said “church hens” protesting their violent and unjust behavior against anyone suspected of being anti-Nazi

  100. 100.

    GOVCHRIS1988

    June 16, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    Are we surprised?

    Seriously, are we? Last November, we elected a man of the lowest morals, and ethics, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, sexist, and just downright willfully ignorant and goddamn narcissistic, with no political or military experience, who we infantalize whenever he fucks up being president, which is often. I mean, seriously, I have never heard so many people excuse a 71 year old man for having the mental capacity of an infant. Its always, “Well, he’s new at this.” or “He’s not a politician.” as though it excuses him for being a moron. I mean, Ryan Lochte being infantalized in Rio was bad, but this in no uncertain terms tells us of the black expectation of being adults when we get out of the womb. Hell, we had a grown cop shoot a 12 year old for playing cops and robbers and everyone questions the kid for playing with a toy and excuses the adult for being scared, which I always though cops were supposed to be if not fearless, more guarded and sedate than the normal human being.

    Being black is something I do not regret. I never looked at my skin and thought I wanted to be another color. I’m ok with having kinky, nappy hair. I’ve lived with those all my life. Its a part of me. What I do regret though, is that I had to grow up faster than everyone else not of my color. There is a higher opportunity cost for us if we fuck up at a young age and a lower merit gain if we happen to achieve the same or better in excellence than our white counterparts. Thats just the truth. You see it. Its hard not to see it. The cameras tell the story, while people tell you to disbelieve your own ears and eyes, and people are willing to do so in order to keep their prejudices, hatreds and fears intact. Even if it shows you are law abiding citizen, a wonderful teacher, they still will twist their minds to say that you were a useless brute who deserved to be put down in front of his child. It was for the best.

    I think about this every time now. I mean, I’m 28, a college graduate, have a paralegal certification, getting my Masters Degree in Computer Science (Have a hodgepodge of trades), never been in jail, never even got a speeding ticket. How would I know if one day I was pulled over by a cop, that I would make it out alive. Even if I used my business tone, and respectfully pulled my wallet on the dashboard with my hands on the steering wheel before the cop gets to my window, how would I know if I were to get home that day. We’re not that far removed when sheriffs would chase black motorists down and lynch them for being either one mile over or under the speed limit. They just happened to be there that day and hate, prejudiced and cruelty just comes into play. It doesn’t seem much has changed.

    So, when I heard the verdict, I wasn’t shocked. I would have been shocked if he were convicted. Its sad to think that. But, this is the country I live in where any sort of progression can be snatched back in a hot minute by a determined, relentless, hateful, fearful person. I live in a country where the phrase, “Black Lives Matter” is viewed as an epithet against the majority instead or a firm arm around our backs holding us up. I live in a country where if a black man becomes commander in chief, that he is sullied, berated, attacked, both he and his family as nefariously insufficient to be American
    representatives. That with all evidence to the contrary, photos, videos, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, of people cheering in glee for them, are said to have brought down our country’s standing and ruined its name. I live in a country where his successor, who was one of the chief slanders of them, can run the most fact free, amoral campaigns known to man and yet BE HIS SUCCESSOR.

    Like I said, are you surprised?

  101. 101.

    James Powell

    June 16, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Who the fuck is on these juries?

    White, suburban homeowners.

  102. 102.

    HRA

    June 16, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    @GOVCHRIS1988:

    No, I am not surprised.

  103. 103.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Have you trained your robot replacement yet?

  104. 104.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s death even if they’re a shithead. So lethal options are off the table

    Then learn to run away really fast. Always know at least two exits and go to where more people are.

    If you are going to confront an attacker, pussyfooting around will get you killed. Either you’re willing to do what it takes, whatever it takes, or you’re not.

    And if you’re not, don’t confront them, run.

    There are people who can take a lot more damage then you’d ever imagine and still be able to overpower and kill you, especially if they’re high on something.

  105. 105.

    TenguPhule

    June 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    I am in moderation hell. Help me!

  106. 106.

    O. Felix Culpa

    June 16, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: Oh, I totally understand the value of research. I’m a mystery fan and appreciate authors who have done their homework. My concern was the forum in which that research is undertaken and your safety. Speaking as an [almost] Old and parent of two young adult sons, weird things happen and I wouldn’t want your research questions to someday come back and cause trouble for you. My sons would roll their eyes at me, so there’s that. :)

  107. 107.

    bupalos

    June 16, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    It’s hard to know what the worst part of this all is. I have no doubt that cop was afraid for his life. I have no doubt that the reason is about 90% because Castile had dark skin. This shit runs so deep. America. Born in the deepest sin, raised in the deepest sin, now dying in the deepest sin.

    God damn America.

  108. 108.

    Sherparick

    June 16, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: Traditionally, the verdict whether guilty or not-guilty needs to be unanimous. The standard of course is “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” In a charge of manslaughter, the defense creates reasonable doubt in the jury minds by stating that would a reasonable man, under like circumstances, could have judged that he was in imminent danger to his life when he stopped Philandro Castile and approached his car. And the jurors looking that Philandro was a big black guy, whose physically resemble the robbery suspect, a big black guy, and they said yes, the officer’s fear was reasonable, and hence racism kills Philandro and every time a black man drives a car in this country, he is taking his life in his hands.

  109. 109.

    J R in WV

    June 16, 2017 at 9:17 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while):

    ….the prosecutor has to convince twelve people beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense only has to confuse one.

    No, that’s for a mistrial, a hung jury. Acquittal takes all 12 jurors finding a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the specific crime alleged in the indictment and jury forms. Been there, acquitted twice. Not with cops as defendants, regular folks involved in a violent death, not guilty of first degree murder. Which isn’t the same thing as innocent, which is often misstated in news reports.

  110. 110.

    Incitatus for Senate

    June 16, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: “I suppose I’d like some way to defend myself if the unthinkable happens and stop someone else from being killed. I don’t want a gun. I don’t want to be responsible for someone’s death even if they’re a shithead. So lethal options are off the table”

    If lethal options are off the table you are left with two choices, namely “jack” and “shit”. Maybe you should understand the difference between movies and reality. In the situation you are talking about you also have two choices. Either attack the shooter with deadly force or run and hide. Anything else will just get you killed.

  111. 111.

    tybee

    June 16, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    @Aimai:

    Thanks for this pist

    yeah, thanks. wtelf is this country up to?

  112. 112.

    Albatrossity

    June 17, 2017 at 8:18 am

    If you are not familiar with the poet Camille Dungy, you should be. Read this – https://www.guernicamag.com/notes-from-the-lower-level/

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  1. Philando Castile’s Killer Walks | The Inverse Square Blog says:
    June 16, 2017 at 5:29 pm

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