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In reply to the discussion: Private autopsy claims Vonderrit Myers shot while fleeing [View all]branford
(4,462 posts)who are these alleged witnesses that the support the claim of use of excessive force or actual premeditated murder in the Myers matter? I've searched myself, and made numerous requests, yet the identities of these witnesses, no less their testimony and basis for their knowledge, remain oddly elusive. I'll be happy to discuss such purported evidence, would you kindly provide a link? I hope you'll provide more than Myers' mother's (who is not an actual witness) claim that he only had a sandwich.
Additionally, I don't think any individual should be judged in a criminal matter based upon membership in a disfavored group, whether that group constitutes police officers or minority youth. Moreover, with all due respect, you're not a "cynic," you're a hypocrite. You and others demand that police not stereotype or treat all young black men as veritable "thugs," a sentiment which I am in complete agreement, yet you insist that we assume all law enforcement officers as basically criminals, apparently including minority police officers.
If you're claiming evidence was planted in this particular case, how about offering some proof other than "it happens all the time." If you're alleging that the police planted the gun, bullets, spent shell casings, as well as GSR on Myers' hands, shirt, front and back pockets and waistband, and that the state crime lab (not the local St. Louis lab) was complicit or so utterly incompetent that such malfeasance was not easily discovered, absent clear and concrete evidence, such allegations belong in the tinfoil hat zone. Did the police also magically conjure up Myers upcoming trial for illegal weapons possession and resisting arrest, the social media pictures of him with the firearms, or force him to go out to "buy a sandwich" while he was supposed to be under house arrest as a condition of his bail?
Lastly, as to knowledge of the law, no one is asking you to cite the model penal code or draft jury instructions. A basic layman's understanding of the relevant legal framework, however, is necessary for a productive discussion, and when someone (it need not be me) educates you on the black letter law, just ignoring it is simply ignorant. For instance, many repeatedly, and quite incorrectly, claim that the officer's private security job was somehow improper or that the officer lacked authority while "off-duty," you can never shoot a fleeing suspect, or that an officer can only fire a limited number of shots before it's automatically a case of "murder." I've even seen the absurd suggestion that it's legitimate self-defense to shoot an officer if they approach you without probable cause.
The fact that I'm an attorney is of no real import, and I claim no unique knowledge of what transpired that fateful evening. You are free to evaluate my comments in light of my life experience, or not, as you so choose. I most certainly do not claim others "know nothing," and believe there are likely very many who have studied this case far more than myself. Nevertheless, I will continue to point out instances of known factual errors, clear legal misunderstandings, and opinion masquerading as fact or evidence, and would expect no less of others.
You are, of course, free to hold any opinions you choose, regardless of my thoughts on their wisdom or veracity. However, don't be surprised that when you come to a forum to ostensibly engage in a discussion of a particular topic, than some will strongly disagree with your position and expect to be persuaded with more than charm and conclusory statements.