Ferguson, MO

[aephi alum]

I don't agree with the decision (I think the cop should have been indicted on involuntary manslaughter - he did kill someone, after all, albeit in the line of duty). But it's made.

Let the riots begin...

If you're in the area - or any areas where there are protests - stay safe.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I don't agree with the decision (I think the cop should have been indicted on involuntary manslaughter - he did kill someone, after all, albeit in the line of duty).

Involuntary manslaughter? How? He wasn't speeding and then hit someone riding a bike. He discharged his weapon in self defense while conducting official police business. Whether you feel it was justified or not, involuntary manslaughter is a charge that can't be brought up given the circumstances.

[honeychile]

I purposely haven't posted anything about Ferguson, but I do have a somewhat slanted view. My daddy was a police commissioner for a short time. I also feel a lot of sympathy for anyone who loses a child, especially violently.

One of the most valuable lessons that ANY child needs to learn in school is WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE!! First and foremost: the police, no matter how corrupt you may think they are, are entitled to the respect of their badge. Keep cool. Say yes, sir, yes, ma'am. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. Shut up and lawyer up. I firmly feel that this should be taught from kindergarten and repeated every year.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by honeychile

One of the most valuable lessons that ANY child needs to learn in school is WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE!! First and foremost: the police, no matter how corrupt you may think they are, are entitled to the respect of their badge. Keep cool. Say yes, sir, yes, ma'am. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. Shut up and lawyer up. I firmly feel that this should be taught from kindergarten and repeated every year.

It's really not Michael Brown's fault that Darren Wilson shot him.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by spuds

Brown got what he deserved. He is a thug who robbed a store and then attacked a cop.

Yes, because we know that a 5 dollar box of cigars is worth more then a black life. Don't you have anything better to do with your time then spread your racist nonsense here Max?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by spuds

YOu have it wrong. The life of an honest hard working cop or honest hard working ANYONE is worth more than the life of a violent thug. Why didn't Brown get a job at MacDonalds and work for ONE hour to buy the cigars?

Can you tell me ANY education, economic, or legal system where the majority of blacks are successful? Pick one and I will support it as long as you take full responsiblity for your results from here on. The reality is you fail with every system because of the content of your character.

PS. Since YOU are trying to attach a dollar amount to the lives then the cops should be able to shoot all the protestors doing MILLIONS of dollars in damage. That seems to be your logic.

And any doubt that this is max is removed.

[Tom Earp]

First off, Brown was taped stealing the cigars. He also was shown that he assaulted the clerk/manager.

A description was put on the radio. When the officwer came upon Brown, he was walking down the middle of the street and was just asked to move to the side walk. Brown refused and attack the officer. Was he shot, yes he was. Did he shoot him in the back and while he was on the ground, no he was not.

By forensics and eye witnesses this was proven.

The Grand Jury deemed the officer was not in the wrong.

Then rioting began. Stores were burned and looted. Police and civilian cars were torched. Lambert airfield trafic was moved to not fly over that area becaus of gun fire!

If nayone knows about juries, if it were not a true bill, it would be thrown out

but it wasn't.

So proof was given and found creditable to not insict the officer!

But instead there was rioting. Now those people who lived thed and worked there are out of jobs. No jobs equals no wages which eqals no money spent in the community. So, who loses? The folks who live there, not the outsiders who come in and stir things up. Maybe some of those businesses will never open again. How does this help that city?

Just a side bar.

Blacks wonder why there are not more blacks on local P D's? Well Kansas City Metro Departments had a job fair for Blacks and Latinos. 17 people showed up amd were put numbered by the officers 3 to 1. Now explain that and make sense of your post first!!!

If proof was there that the shooting was just, then just leave it alone.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by spuds

The truth hurts my sista.

Learn something new everyday.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

And any doubt that this is max is removed.

You had doubts?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by spuds

PS. Since YOU are trying to attach a dollar amount to the lives then the cops should be able to shoot all the protestors doing MILLIONS of dollars in damage. That seems to be your logic.

*sigh* Actually my point was that the life of anybody is more important then protecting property rights.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Involuntary manslaughter? How? He wasn't speeding and then hit someone riding a bike. He discharged his weapon in self defense while conducting official police business. Whether you feel it was justified or not, involuntary manslaughter is a charge that can't be brought up given the circumstances.

Per findlaw.com:

Three elements must be satisfied in order for someone to be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter:

- Someone was killed as a result of act by the defendant.
- The act either was inherently dangerous to others or done with reckless disregard for human life.
- The defendant knew or should have known his or her conduct was a threat to the lives of others.

Points 1 and 3 are clear: Someone was killed, and the defendant knew that firing his gun was a threat to someone's life. Point 2 is a bit hazier. Wilson didn't shoot with "reckless disregard for human life", but his actions could be considered "inherently dangerous".

That said, I don't know why the grand jury was even asked to consider Murder 1. That is "an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated" - again per findlaw.com.