Officers did not use excessive force, jury finds

[alp227]

Source: Henry K. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle

(01-21) 18:07 PST San Pablo --

Two San Pablo police officers did not use unreasonable force when they shot and killed a man who had fled from them, a federal jury has ruled.

Melvin Hardnett, 35, of San Pablo was shot dead May 29, 2006, after he led police on a car chase, fled from the vehicle and then struggled with Officers Frank Perino and Mark Galios, authorities said.

Perino shot and killed Hardnett during the altercation, and police and a pathologist testified at a coroner's inquest that Hardnett was under the influence of cocaine. Galios said Hardnett tried to reach for his gun.

In a $10 million lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Hardnett's mother, Delores Stringer, said her son was unarmed and that his death was "brutal, malicious and done without just provocation or cause."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/21/BAGO1BLROH.DTL

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I agree with the jury. What choice does a cop have with a suspect who's just ended a car chase, is strung out on coke, and is now trying to grab his gun?

In an unrelated case yesterday, 21-year-old Maurice Evans Shavers Jr. from Oakland was shot and killed in an exchange of fire between him and California Highway Patrol officers after he robbed a Walgreens store. If his mother tried to sue the CHP, most likely the same outcome. Ditto for Lovelle Mixon's parents if they sued.

(on edit) But still, let's not deny that cops can still just beat up people even if unprovoked.

[demosincebirth]

1. I think Nixon's sister has a suit going against the OPD.