Harrity's attorney: 'Reasonable' for officers to fear ambush before Justine Damond shooting (Mpls)

[WhiskeyGrinder]

http://startribune.com/attorney-reasonable-to-believe-officer-feared-ambush-when-he-shot-justine-damond/435415343/

The attorney for Minneapolis police officer Matthew Harrity said that “it’s certainly reasonable” for the officers to believe they were the target of a possible ambush when Harrity's partner, officer Mohamed Noor, shot and killed Justine Damond in a south Minneapolis alley Saturday night.

Fred Bruno declined to discuss the ongoing investigation into the incident, which has drawn national and international attention and stirred community unrest and demands for answers as to why Noor, 31, shot the 40-year-old spiritual healer from Australia.

“It’s certainly reasonable to assume that any police officer would be concerned about a possible ambush under these circumstances,” Bruno said. “It was only a few weeks ago when a female NYPD cop and mother of twins was executed in her car in a very similar scenario.”

Bruno was referencing the case of New York City police officer Miosotis Familia, 48, who was killed July 5 after a mentally ill man shot her in the head while she sat in her squad car in the Bronx.

*******************
At least they're honest about their attitudes?

[uponit7771]

1. Culture of guns shoot first, kill then ask questions later but not answering any questions

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Nice try.

At 51st and Washburn in Minneapolis? Seriously? By a woman in pajamas? Seriously?

Fred Bruno is a very good lawyer, but it can be tough to defend the indefensible. I'd say "close but no cigar," but this isn't even close, and no, you don't get the cigar.

[WinkyDink]

10. A woman in pajamas AT HER OWN HOUSE.

[exboyfil]

11. Which implies that those

in not quite so good neighborhoods are less deserving of due diligence by LEOs before they shoot?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. No, not at all.

But to argue that it was "reasonable" for the cops to fear being ambushed by a woman in pajamas in a neighborhood where violent crime is almost unheard-of is a pretty tough sell. In the toughest neighborhood in the city it might be reasonable for the policy to be more wary, but it is never reasonable, anywhere, to do what this cop did. If they were afraid of being ambushed, why didn't they just tell the victim not to approach the car?

[brush]

17. They're already laying the groundwork to get the cop off.

How many times have we seen this with all the black men shootings?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

18. Well, that's the lawyers' job.

But that excuse is as lame as hell.

[brush]

19. Lawyers do what lawyers do. The lady is dead so the next order of business is to get the cop off.

[maxrandb]

3. The Red Queen Police

Sentence First! Then Trial

[cwydro]

4. Isn't Minneapolis a bit safer than NYC in general?

Are the cops in the Twin Cities really that frightened for their lives.?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. Apparently so.

Maybe they should look for new jobs if they find them so distressing.

[cwydro]

14. Yes indeed.

I grew up in a southern city which is still struggling with a high murder rate.

There have been cop shootings, but each time there was a reason for them. Not necessarily good reasons, but no women in pajamas have been shot while the cops fear ambush.

[MagickMuffin]

5. Perhaps this isn't the line of work they should be in to begin with!

If they are that paranoid then look for work elsewhere, please for the love of goddess find another career.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. If police and their supporters want cops to be seen as upstanding members of the community, maybe

they should stop fearing and despising people they're supposedly protecting.

[exboyfil]

8. Who watches the Watchmen?

[WinkyDink]

9. IOW: ANY citizen can be shot to DEATH by cops at ANY time, ANYwhere, because....AMBUSH!!!

NO THREAT BY VICTIM REQUIRED.

NO WEAPON ON VICTIM REQUIRED.

NO FULL ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION REQUIRED.

Such intemperate, unjustified MURDER only serves to make the armed citizenry trigger-happy themselves.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

12. This country needs to come to terms with its increasing institutionalized state violence.

[onenote]

13. So its justifiable for the police to shoot anyone who approaches them while they're in their car?

I don't think so.....

[cwydro]

16. Apparently.

Very scary.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

20. 911 Call: Before being shot by officer, Justine Damond called in possible rape

http://startribune.com/911-call-before-being-shot-by-officer-justine-damond-called-in-possible-rape/435423423/

Justine Damond spent her last moments trying to help a stranger.

At 11:27 on Saturday night, Damond called police to report a possible sexual assault, according to a 911 transcript obtained by the Star Tribune Wednesday.

"I'm not sure if she's having sex or being raped," Damond told the operator. After giving her address, Damond continued: "I think she just yelled out 'help,' but it's difficult the sound has been going on for a while, but I think, I don't think she's enjoying it."

"OK," said the operator, "I've already got an officer on the way."

[tblue37]

21. If so, why not turn on their cameras, so if they are ambushed the perps are on tape? nt

[jmg257]

22. That's great - fear ambush, "a loud noise" - shoot anything that moves. F&% that!

Time to get another career - after you serve your time.

[Vinca]

23. Maybe it's just me, but I doubt an ambush would involve a blonde lady in pajamas.