State police investigation of its own leaves judge in disbelief

[cali]

Syracuse, NY -- A state trooper speeding to town court crashed his patrol car into a man walking across a road in Central Square in 2009, breaking three of the man's bones.

A state police investigation blamed the victim. A judge recently called that conclusion "incredulous."

State Court of Claims Nicholas Midey found the state was completely responsible for injuries suffered by Lawrence Perkins in November 2009 when Trooper Thomas Gallery crashed his car into him on Route 11.

<snip>

The judge interrupted Yorgey's testimony, asking for clarification. Was the trooper not at fault for speeding? Midey asked.

"The difference is a pedestrian has an opportunity to decide not to continue," Yorgey testified, according to a transcript of the trial.

<snip>

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/state_trooper_responsible_for.html#incart_hbx#incart_best-of

[premium]

1. Unfuckingbelieveable!

The State Police try to blame the pedestrian for not getting across the road fast enough, but ignore that the trooper was violating the speed limit, was driving in an unsafe manner for the road/weather conditions?
Glad this Judge could see right through the bullshit the investigator was trying push.

[cali]

2. I think I love this judge: Another of his decisions:

It was the second time in a year that Midey criticized a state police investigation of a trooper's conduct. Last year, the judge awarded $1 million to a man whom a trooper assaulted without justification. The judge found state police did an inadequate investigation into the man's complaint of police brutality.

[premium]

3. Yes,

a Judge who doesn't rubber stamp police investigations, this is the kind of judge I can respect.

[Inkfreak]

4. Raised in the 'Cuse!

I remember reading about this when it happened. Thankfully the judge has some integrity & common sense here. The story just irritates the shit outta me still tho. This looks like a prime example of cops looking out for their own.

[Orrex]

5. What would have happend if Lawrence Perkins had struck Thomas Gallery with his car?

Would Yorgey have concluded that the trooper was at fault for failing "to decide not to continue?"

[hootinholler]

6. I hope the lawyer was able to get the officer's phone records

It sounds like he was speeding and distracted. Clipped a pedestrian and lost the car hitting another car.

[TlalocW]

7. Every now and then I get into watching

Webcam videos of police stops on YouTube. Mainly for the little victories everyday citizens can win against abusive cops, but they still piss me off. One I saw was where a cop rear-ended a guy and tried to blame it on the guy he hit, getting quite loud and abusive about it. The other driver kept calm because he knew his camera was recording things, and when the cop said something about how he could arrest the motorist if he wanted (in an effort to cow the guy), the motorist "helpfully" offered to go to the station if the officer thought it was necessary under the law, which the officer decided wasn't required (probably because he knew he couldn't get away with blaming the motorist there). The officer did get in trouble thankfully once the motorist released the video.

TlalocW

[KurtNYC]

8. A friend of mine pulled over in a snow storm -- total white out

Within 5 minutes a car hit his from the front (and he was pulled over off of HIS side of the road). He is stunned then there is a tap on the window. He rolls it down and there is a State Trooper asking him "Is everyone okay ?"

He says "I am okay, Please check the other vehicle."

Trooper says "I am the other vehicle."

[DavidDvorkin]

9. No, Your Honor, you are incredulous

The conclusion is incredible.