Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
Too bad the videos are already out. It would have been interesting to see what the cops would have said in their official report had they been unaware of the videos. I'm sure it would have been presented as a life and death struggle with an armed lunatic, that they were all lucky to survive. Conflicting statements from the other "armed and dangerous" suspects would be summarily brushed aside.
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This is 100% right. We've seen it time and again, and this is why there is so much distrust for law enforcement. There were actually several hours between the BART incident and when the videos came out, and the cover up by BART was already in motion.
How many criminals have been released after years of incarceration because DNA evidence proved they weren't guilty? (and many more will be, as more of these cases are pending review) And how many of these cases involved false police reports, false testimony by cops, fabricated evidence, etc?
I'm not trying to paint cops with a broad brush, but when some are bad, the stain is widespread. Absolutely, cops s/b held to the highest, most stringent standards. It's a good thing that DNA, video and other technologies are moving us in a direction where these higher standards will be better upheld, but for many, it is too late.
I don't think Mehserle's intentions can be assumed with certainty. Sadly, we may never know. But it is clear in this case - he NEVER should have reached for his gun.