Reply #17: Good points - I'm not in LV but have been following this case [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

via Las Vegas Sun & even listened to testimony last week via the net.

I don't know completely that I could find the police at fault based on a couple of items.

1 - The amount of drugs in Scott's system & some testimony that he seemed to be somewhat out of it and disoriented - for instance having a lot of trouble filling out the Costco membership application and other testimony I've seen of him being somewhat erratic. He should've never been carrying with that amount of drugs in his system. I've seen CCW holders post where they were going on some med for a couple of days and were not going to carry a gun.

2 - If he did reach for and bring out the gun in the holster those cops have a split second to sort that out. I can understand them shooting him. And even from behind - once one starts to shoot then every cop there if they have a target will shoot. Suspects aren't always disabled or dead on the first shot and can still inflict harm on an officer or the public. Scott may have made a fatal error in bringing out that gun in the holster even if his intention was surrendering it. I wonder if the drugs affected his judgement?

3 - Yes there are some holsters you can put a finger in and shoot the firearm and it appears that is what Scott was using for carry.


A photo of a handgun that was said to belong to Erik Scott is displayed during a coroner’s inquest for Scott at the Regional Justice Center Friday, September 24, 2010

It wouldn't be the easiest thing but yes this holster you could get a finger in to fire, though I doubt again officers have the time to sort that out as well. This is a cheap holster that I'm no fan of because it doesn't retain the firearm well and I think it has a tendency to move around. There was also testimony Scott was continually pulling up the back of his pants. Possibly had a cheap or no belt as well? And a 1911 style firearm is a bit heavier than a compact or bug gun. That of course is not a crime but can get you noticed CCW.

All that being said, glad I don't have to decide this case and yes your coroner's inquest is really one-sided in LV. Too bad there wasn't video. And I'd love to hear the defense lawyers put on their case.

Is there a possibility this will go to a civil case? I can't see how the cops will be charged criminally or have any judgement against with the testimony all over the map and the fact of the drugs in Scott's system.

I originally thought the cops screwed the pooch on this one but now I'm sure that it wasn't Scott that erred very badly.