Is it cynical to think the indictment of the rookie cop that killed with one shot

[bigbrother05]

is because they think he will likely get off as an accidental shooting at trial?

They didn't dare to try the other cops because they likely would be found guilty of something and this poor kid was fumbling around in the dark with no intention of shooting anyone.

Basically, I think they want to be able to say they brought someone to trial and they were not convicted, so shut up about Gardner and all the other cop shootings.

[PoliticAverse]

1. But as a counter argument the person killed in this case wasn't doing anything

wrong and wasn't even being placed under arrest so no real defense argument
can be made that the person killed was in any way responsible for what happened.

[marym625]

2. fumbling around in the dark with no intention of shooting anyone?

Was that sarcastic?

[bigbrother05]

5. maybe too simplistic, but my recollection of the case is that they were in a darkened stairwell

and the victim was on a different level when struck, think that will be the defense argument, a tragic accident.

Not trying to dismiss the cops actions, just think the person least culpable in all these recent shootings is the one being prosecuted.

That's why I'm feeling cynical about this indictment instead of saying "it's about time", they should all be on trial.

[marym625]

9. Sorry. completely disagree

They weren't supposed to be in the staircase. They sure as shit shouldn't have had their guns out. And I find it too convenient that it just happened to go off, in the direction of Akai Gurley, when he walked into the hallway, a light coming in from the door.

I don't think that's all that innocent.

[bigbrother05]

15. Never said it was right, the cynic in me thinks they are trying to tamp down the outrage at cops

[HappyMe]

16. Doing the right thing doesn't tamp down

the outrage at the cops. It's just doing the right thing. The cops will continue to kill and beat people that they shouldn't.

I'm glad that finally justice will be served on of these assholes.

[bigbrother05]

19. The right thing would have been indicting all the others, feels like we're being played

I'm glad he'll be tried, just wish they all were

[marym625]

26. I completely agree

And mcculloch should be stripped of all power. Bastard.

[marym625]

25. I wouldn't disagree with that

But your post says, "this poor kid was fumbling around in the dark with no intention of shooting anyone."

That sounds like you think it was an uncontrollable accident. The truth is far from that.

[Downwinder]

3. Why were they somewhere that they were not supposed to be?

[marym625]

27. Yes.

Or was that rhetorical?

[Downwinder]

29. Think that is the key. He accidentally interrupted something.

[marym625]

30. oh! You mean Gurley?

You think the cops were up to no good, besides being idiots?

[Downwinder]

31. Possibly.

Haven't heard them called "New York's Finest" in some time.

Send Jr. to stand watch.

[marym625]

32. hadn't thought about that

Could be.

[uppityperson]

4. I hate to ask, but which incident are you talking about?

[Blue_Tires]

7. Liang

http://www.vibe.com/article/nypd-officer-peter-liang-indicted-killing-unarmed-akai-gurley
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/11/peter-liang-charged-akai-gurley_n_6663410.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/peter-liang-turns-akai-gurley-shooting-article-1.2110864

[HappyMe]

8. This one -

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/exclusive-texted-union-rep-akai-gurley-lay-dying-article-1.2034219

Cop charged --

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/12/nyregion/akai-gurley-shooting-death-arraignment.html?_r=0

[HappyMe]

6. This cop has absolutely no defense.

None.

This guy was unarmed and walking down the stairs. Not fumbling. Walking.

There was nothing "accidental" about this.

[marym625]

10. Thank you. n/t

[bigbrother05]

11. Fumbling was my reference to the cop, think that will be the defense arguement

They weren't even on the same level.

Negligence/stupidity/rookie

[HappyMe]

12. The cops had no reason to be there in the first place.

They had NO reason to have their guns drawn. There was nothing untoward going on in that hallway.
This cop has no defense for what he did.

[Downwinder]

24. Being the NYPD, some sort of transaction comes to mind.

Would not have guns out for a cash payoff.

Not to imply that the victim was part of it. He probably just inadvertently walked into it.

[bigbrother05]

13. Agree, no defense, but why this case and not the others? Cynically think they are tossing us a bone

This guy is the least likely to serve any real hard time

[HappyMe]

14. This guy deserves hard time.

Why is he least likely to deserve hard time? He clearly murdered that guy.

In other cases, it could be put forth that there was resisting arrest. Nobody was being chased, or being arrested in this case. There is no excuse for what he did. Being a rookie is not a defense, being stupid is not a defense.

[bigbrother05]

17. Without video and/or several eyewitnesses, it's he said/she said

Again, don't like it any better than you, but do think the PTB might be playing the odds to quell the masses

[HappyMe]

18. Not he said/he said.

Otherwise the DA would not have indicted.

No, the ptb aren't playing the odds to quell the masses.

[bigbrother05]

20. Okay, just feels that way to me, don't have a lot of faith in the DAs either

[RedCappedBandit]

23. Meh. Your concern is completely valid.

The fact that he was indicted doesn't guarantee a conviction. Indictments are rare; convictions are even rarer. You'd have to be naive NOT to be concerned.

[tblue37]

21. It is the *cop* that the OP is saying was fumbling in the dark. nt

[HappyMe]

22. That doesn't change the fact that

he murdered that guy.

Those cops had not reason to be in that hallway with their guns drawn. There was no crime being commited, no arrest to be made.

Murder, plain and simple.

[marym625]

28. They didn't just not have reason

They weren't supposed to be in the stairwell. It was against the rules to be there. And obviously, gun drawn for no reason also a big no no