Not surprisingly, the preliminary autopsy report in the death of Eric Garner shows, showsthat the “deadly encounter Thursday did not damage his windpipe or neck bones.” Why is the not surprising? Because I’m still not convinced there was any chokehold at all. It certainly did not happen when Mr. Garner was taken down. There may have been a chokehold later,…
Meanwhile, in the land of Greek Americans
I’m featured in The National Herald, the largest Greek-American newspaper. Front page story, no less (below the fold). Must have been a slow news week. Read all about it.
The sound of the drug war slowly crumbling…
…now includes police chiefs saying we should decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. It’s not that bold of a statement, but it is coming from an active chief of police! From Mlive: [Petersburg, Virginia, Police Chief John] Dixon said drug use and addiction ought to be addressed by public health officials, not police. He said that police often view drug arrests…
Still of the Day
Direct predecessor to DEA agents proudly displaying their prohibition victory. After another decade of trying to make alcohol go away, Americans would wise up and regulate alcohol. Guys like these would then continue the prohibition fight against other drugs. It’s 92 years later and more than two million Americans are behind bars. Keep on keeping on! [Enlarged version here. Taken…
If you can say, “I can’t breath”…
The first thing that jumps to mind in the death of Eric Garneris that somebody who is repeatedly saying “I can’t breath” is, in fact, breathing. It’s a basic rules of choking, first aid, and well, the way we speak. [Update: Seems I’m probably very wrong about this.] Also, I’m no expert in chokeholds (because most departments forbid them), but…
Reporter fired for politically incorrect editorializing
With regards to the killing of Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago, Fox News TV reporter Sean Bergin no longer has a job after editorializing on-air: It’s important to shine a light on this racist mentality that has so contaminated policing and America’s inner-cities. … The underlying cause for all of this, of course, is America’s racist criminal justice system…
D.A. Rickman on Jonathan Ayers
I received the following email today from D.A. Brian Rickman in regards to this poston the 2009 killing of Rev. Jonathan Ayers (you can read all I’ve written about the horrible killing of Ayers). Professor Moskos, Someone sent me a link to the February article you posted regarding the Ayers case. There were a couple of things I wanted to…
Detroit police chief gives credit to armed citizens for drop in crime
From the Detroit News: The incident was the latest in a string of homeowners opening fire to defend themselves, although after a flurry of such shootings early this year, before Monday there hadn’t been a reported incident since May 4 — an indication that criminals are thinking twice about breaking into people’s houses, Craig said. Detroit has experienced 37 percent…
Wife of Melvin Santiago’s killer wishes husband had killed more cops
Melvin Santiago, a rookie Jersey City cop was killed — ambushed while sill inside his police car — responding to a 4am call for an armed robbery. Sometimes, after a cop is killed, (just between you and me) I think, “man, that cop messed up” (knowing full well that we all mess up some time). Other times I think, “Man,…