A video showing police officers beating an unconscious suspect, Anthony Warren, had led to the firing of five Birmingham officers. The beating occurred after a high-speed chase. An officer turned off the video camera but it still was able to capture the critical footage.
What is most disturbing is that the video only recently was shown to top police officials despite the fact that any as six supervisors saw the video and apparently did nothing. To the credit of the department, there will be discipline for those supervisors who failed to report the incident to higher-ups. Hopefully, they will at a minimum be stripped of rank and returned to patrol duty as non-supervisors.
There is also the possibility of criminal charges against the officers.
From our past stories, it seems often the case that such brutality occurs after high-speed chases where officers are understandable “pumped up” and often angry. In this case, Warren almost ran over an officer and endangered numerous citizens before his van turned over and he was ejected on the side of the road.
It seems likely that there will be a civil lawsuit. While the actions this week are commendable, the failure of supervisors to act will likely support a tort action against the city and the police.
For the video and full story, click here
I totally agree with Teach on this one. All of us that work have to be a professional and these cops did not act like professionals. I also dont get why they would hit someone that is unconscious ???
I am not saying what the officers did is right but did you see how the mini van almost took out that cop. I could see why they would be so mad.
Rater, the only dynamic I see involved is a suspect who led police on a high speed chase over 50 miles and struck an officer with his vehicle while they were standing in the road. It seems baseless for the mayor to draw comparisons between what happened during segregation and the civil rights movement over 40 years ago. By the way, one of the officers involved in the incident and also fired was black.
AnonY wrote:
Anonymously Yours
1, May 20, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Evening Mespo72Cubed, Buddha, Mike S., Jill, *Patty,* JT, GW-Mom, Mike A, rafflaw, and all the others.
How is everyone this wonderful evening? Nice and cool in Texas tonight.
_________
Patty C, Anonymously Yours is trying to be friendly–why, he even mentioned *you* before *JT* in his greeting to you and others last evening. He has also done this before.
Patty,
Uncalled for instigation yet again.
Don’t think any counter attack about the smack down you just got from AY for it is going to garner any sympathy either. It will probably have the exact opposite effect.
The best way to avoid trouble is to not be there when it starts is an axiom of aikido. That is predicated on not to start any yourself.
Whatever is going on with you, you are only hurting yourself and your credibility by the continued provocations of people ostensibly aligned with the beliefs and stances of many of the regulars as well as our host. You aren’t happy that many of us have repeatedly asked you to quit using Jill as your personal whipping boy so you decided to spread the abuse around?
Physician, heal thyself.
How can one be annoyed by Mayor Langford recognizing the racial dynamic of this situation. Birmingham has a legacy of race-based police brutality.
Is it just a coincidence that the cops who were dismissed are white and the person who was beat while unconscious is black?
How could anyone not recognize the obvious, racially?
sarcasm 1, May 20, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Annonymously Yours, I accept your contention. Patty C, sorry for trespassing on your private domain.
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Sir or Madam, until I get asked by the apparent owner of this site, I will contribute as you are encouraged to do as well.
It is my understanding that it is free discourse, some personal attacks are warranted under some circumstance. Trolley Troll Tramps just come on through and place garbage disagreeing with everyone and everything.
Some people are just disagreeable and for that they lose out much more. If I may add, even though this is the internet and impersonal as it is. A number of people put there hearts into what they write, not necessarily their feelings.
We have a number of well reasoned and some unschooled, do not confuse that with lack of education folks that are extremely brilliant.
My Grandfather had a 3rd grade education and when he died he left more money that I could ever reasonably spend. But was well versed in mathematics, something about cards and dominoes that interested him and then he parlayed this into the market.
Patty C 1, May 20, 2009 at 11:12 pm
AY
‘…Buddha do you know where? I guess I am not that smart, oh well.’
–
No guess – NOT that smart is all… ;o
In case you haven’t guessed, I don’t buy anything you say.
It has more to do with those pesky discrepancies in your initial statements than your everyday writing style – once again…
Don’t waste ‘turlee’ time. We’re not, nor ever were, a
‘private chat’ room.
On the rare occasion, mespo and I apologize for use of it as same
invoking ’sidebar’ rules.
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I was unaware you were the moderator of this site. Your family has my condolences. You must be one treat to be with and to be around. I suppose the cost of travel for you is minimal. Please pray that we not of the original turlees get redemption of our lost souls and find our way.
I did not realize that you detest those not of the blue blooded aristocracy new England thieves. Please do remember that W is from your neck of the woods and it has to be something in the water to make them feel as though they are better than most. Or it could be SAD and it is sad either way. Excuse me for acknowledging your existence in anyway, you are indeed either psychotic, psychopathic, a liar, a substance abuser, a drunk or lack very low social esteem. But you in no event have exhibited any form of human decency. This is truly a loss as you could have something meaningful to contribute rather than social dysfunction, but you can only give back what you have learned.
You know I have never owned a dog of my own until last December and she is quite a beaut. She is an Australian Shep, I would compare her bedside manner to yours any day of the week and she does not have the alleged education you have. For this I am greatful.
Please do not acknowledge that I have contributed to this list in anyway or anyone else for that matter. Because it is all about Patty C all the time. Patty C, You might be surprised the people that you meet everyday have better connections, family and money than you do and maybe that is where the hostility comes from. I do not know. Nor do I care. You my Friend need some moral compass as your direction here is lost.
I have not see anyone attack you and your response was completely unwarranted. But we all have sick family that we never acknowledge, are you my sick sister?
What annoys me is mayor Larry Langford interjecting race into the incident. I doubt it would have been any different had the person driving the vehicle had been white. He talks about how the “incident brought back to mind days of segregation and police brutality toward blacks.” as if that is the sole reason why the suspect was beaten. And reading up on Langford I don’t think he’s someone who should be judging people given his checkered legal past.
Patty C – Not. Everyone speaks tongue in cheek, anatomically speaking. I understand your position. 🙂
You completely missed what I just said.
Congratulations
– or maybe NOT…