Here’s a radical idea that challenges the message the media presents about cops killing people of color. An editorial in the StartTribune carried it, suggesting that maybe the killing of black men by police officers is not all attributable to racism. Because, maybe, cops aren’t all racist. Of course, not all cops are racist, but with each tragic …
In my town of Minneapolis, we’ve gone through a tragic situation where two white police, responding to an assault call on 911, shot and killed a
black man. After weeks of investigation by an outside agency, the local prosecutor has declined to charge the cops with a crime. See the story in the Star Tribune article: http://www.startribune.com/freeman-gives-emphatic-defense-of-decision-questions-why-officers-didn-t-have-tasers/374121321/ Let’s …
A friend of mine and I were talking about cops and people of color when she said, “Well, cops are trained to shoot first and ask questions later.”
I wondered where she got that idea. TV news coverage? Somewhere in the media? Other friends? I’ve worked as both a prosecutor and defense lawyer in the criminal justice system …
So many people are angry and confused at what’s happening with police officers who
kill citizens in the line of duty and don’t ever seem to be criminally charged. Many people ask: As in Ferguson, can cops ever be held responsible for their actions?
Without getting into the politics of this issue, I want to look at the …
I have worked for over 30 years as both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer—primarily with communities of color. Although I certainly don’t have any brilliant answers about the problems in Ferguson, MO, from my experience in the criminal justice system, there are three things I’ve learned.
1. Perceptions. The different perceptions between white clients and clients of …
Last post, I reviewed what goes on “behind the scenes” in a Grand Jury. You’re probably aware of the tragic killing of an unarmed black man, named Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Mo. by police officer Darren Wilson. The Grand Jury there did not issue an indictment charging Officer Wilson with any crime from the shooting.
What happened? What …
What really happened with the Grand Jury in Ferguson, MO? Unless you’ve missed all news in the past few days, you probably know that several months ago, a white cop,Officer Darren Wilson, shot and killed an unarmed black man named Michael Brown. After riots, sit-ins, violence, and hours of media time, a Grand Jury was called to review …
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