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Patrick Harmon was in full retreat running away from a Salt Lake City officer when the cop opened fire. Harmon was shot in the back and later died. From the video I see no evidence of an imminent threat to the officer. Unjustified deadly use of force, manslaughter or 2nd degree murder.
We have to stop coddling these rogue cops. 99% of cops are professionals and would never do this. You can't weed out the bad apples by coddling them.
In my opinion..yes. The guy was running away. I didn't see a knife. I don't care if there was a knife. The guy was RUNNING AWAY. Cop could have used a stun gun.
Despite saying that the cop was 'justified' in his use of deadly force--no real justification has been given.
It seems as though the officer shot the man in the back, as he fled. Of note, is that one of the other officers at the scene used a Taser---which would have been enough, I think. No communication between the cops as to tactics.
The defense in North Charleston was the officer was concerned that the run away perp would present a danger to the surrounding neighborhood if he was not immediately stopped.
Maybe that is the issue here, too.
This cop is in trouble since it's Salt Lake City and not Chicago.
They're going to unleash BLM on this one since it's an "acceptable" city to target.
P.S. I acknowledge BLM has legtimate concerns. It's just that prolonged protest takes things like um...food, housing and logistics and the BLM backers just don't like it when it's the usual suspects like Chicago, LA, NY etc. with LEGENDARY reputations for minority abuse.
This cop is in trouble since it's Salt Lake City and not Chicago.
They're going to unleash BLM on this one since it's an "acceptable" city to target.
P.S. I acknowledge BLM has legtimate concerns. It's just that prolonged protest takes things like um...food, housing and logistics and the BLM backers just don't like it when it's the usual suspects like Chicago, LA, NY etc. with LEGENDARY reputations for minority abuse.
Can't speak to the BLM..or the other cities..but LA has burned significant amounts of the city to the ground over Police abuse of power..so there's that.
Man's ID run and found to have warrants. One for aggravated assault.
Man tries to flee.
This much we can all agree on. Moving on...
As cops pursue suspect they claim he produced a knife and made a threatening gesture toward the officers. The video doesn't show this not because it didn't necessarily happen but because the officer was running and the motion made the image blurry.
Cops allegedly found the knife on the ground/his person afterwards though no video evidence has been produced to corroborate that. Not saying it doesn't exist, simply that it hasn't been released if it does indeed exist.
Roughly six week investigation clears officers.
Ok...everyone agree?
Anaylysis:
Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985) established the "fleeing felon doctrine".
At common law, the fleeing felon rule permits the use of force, including deadly force, against an individual who is suspected of a felony and is in clear flight. Force may be used by the victim, bystanders, or police officers.
Folks, this is what you signed up for. The case followed the letter of the law. Am I happy about it? No, but as I've ranted about for years on here when these police cases come up these are the powers the police have been systematically given by the voters through legislation and by electing judges/politicians that favor said measures.
You guys want your government making this stuff up...this is what happens.
*shrug*
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