New York authorities have suspended two police officers and are considering criminal charges after this video showed them assaulting a handcuffed man, Jonathan Baez, 28. The video shows Officer John Cicero, 28, hitting Baez. Officer William Green, 26, is also seen hitting and kicking Baez.
Before the beating, two officers were wounded by a ricocheting bullet fired by a third officer at a pit bull reportedly belonging to the drug suspect. During the chase, the dog had pounced on the officers.
Two sergeants – Junior Carela and Phillip Connor – were also present and did nothing to stop the abuse. They only received desk duty even though they were witnessing a crime by two officers and did nothing to stop it. That seems to warrant something a bit more significant than desk duty.
Once again, it is worth noting that this case probably would never have materialized if it were not for a citizen’s videotaping the attack. Yet, police in Boston and England are arresting people for filming them in public places, here.
You’re right Duh. Pit Bulls go immediately forward and low to latch onto an extended front leg (to break it outright), or the nose. They are definitely do not pounce like Shepherds and the Rottweilers that attacked me. I hope the defense brings in someone who knows this.
I see a lot of familiar similarities between duh and Rumsfeld:
Don’t divide the world into “them” and “us.” Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the press, the Congress, rivals, or opponents. Accept them as facts. They have their jobs and you have yours.
Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.
I can’t tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won’t last any longer than that.
If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers – they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.
and my favorite.
Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin’s still learning.
AY: I agree. I skimmed and didn’t see that he was just a passenger. And you’re right — to liken it to a drive-by shooting is crazy.
To “Duh”: Don’t be so quick to judge.
You don’t know who we are, where we’ve been, what we’ve seen and/or what we’ve done in our lives.
What these police officers did was wrong. They should be held accountable for their excessive use of force. However, there is a mitigating factor here. “During the chase, the dog has pounced on the officers.” I’m pretty sure that should just be “pounced”, but I’ll leave that for “Nal”. Since when does a Pit Bull pounce?
What I find disturbing is the immediate attribution to, and spiteful recognition of our military. Is this a view that is common among progressives, or is it just a point of view that is held by “the Turleys”? Either way, I find it disgusting. Which one of you have EVER put your life in harms way in defense of others?
He was not the driver his only role was that of being a passenger in the vehicle.
The Prosecutor has made this the equated this with DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS…..
This is crap.
Thanks for the link, AY. According to the article, the young man probably won’t have to serve time. This said, I hate to think of him having a felony conviction… How about some serious community service.
What’s happened to common sense?
Swarthmore mom: I think you’re right.
anon nurse,
Are we ever going to see people marching in the streets again, I wonder. I’d like to think so but, sadly, I rather doubt it.
Not since the NSA, Homeland Security Administration, they can arrest you are you will have to take your chances in court and try you on a local level.
I ran across an article where, catch this a student at Michigan State University is being charged with a 20 year felony for setting off fireworks.
Student in E. Lansing fireworks incident to face trial
“The night of Nov. 1, Nikolai Wasielewski was in a car with three other Michigan State University freshmen when one of the students – not Wasielewski – opened the passenger side window and threw a golf-ball-sized firework into the front yard of 436 Grove St.”
NO DAMAGE AT ALL.
IF YOU WANT TO DELUGE THE PAPER AND COURT WITH PHONE CALLS TO TELL THEM HOW WRONG THIS IS. THIS CHILD NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT.
From what I have been able to glean from other sources he is on the deans list. The three others in the car have all coward out and plead to misdemeanors.
Article link: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100123/NEWS01/1230315
anon nurse I think the tea baggers are the closest thing we will see to people marching in the street. Just my opinion.
rafflaw wrote: “You will not gain control over the police forces without putting officers in jail for their abusive actions.”
Hear, hear.
Are we ever going to see people marching in the streets again, I wonder. I’d like to think so but, sadly, I rather doubt it.
These officers need to experience some time behind bars for these illegal actions and the sergeants need to join them. You will not gain control over the police forces without putting officers in jail for their abusive actions. That will take political will and guts, but these police forces seem to be out of control.
Anon Nurse and Swarthmore Mom,
The Barry McGuire song brought back many memories!
AY, I agree. And in my opinion, the FBI is running COINTELPRO again big time.
I’m sure it isn’t lost on many who blog here that Blackwater (Xe) has trained many police officers in this country.
(Regarding “skull-ed”, AY: Very clever.)
Thanks for the laugh and the info, Swarthmore mom! (I was going to embed the links to the songs, but I need to figure out how, first.)
anon nurse. I remember the song so I looked up Barry McGuire on wiki and it said he became a “born again christian”. I guess he found hope. lol
Since most Police Departments are hiring the “Ex” Servicemen and they are not skull-ed in constitutional rights but only obeying the commands of an officer you will get what you have.
The police departments for most parts are an extension of the FBI. I say that because regardless of what matter it is, if they get an inkling to take it over, they do and the local agency has not much to say as they generally have no clue of whats going on.
What about that thing call private militias….
AY: Are we on the eve of destruction…….? (Great song.)
I think we are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zs2DCA9W7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOpErJWSIg0&feature=related
Thanks to Barry McGuire. (What happened to him?)
This is going back to the post regarding the city of Chicago and it examination process.I know this is New York but it is something there that I read that should apply here or anywhere for that matter that something like this occurs.
“Police may scrap entrance exam ”
“”A background check and a psych [exam] alone will not eliminate some people who should not be there,” said Brad Woods, who ran the Personnel Division under former Chicago Police Superintendents Phil Cline and Terry Hillard.”
“This is not an isolated incident,” Emdin said. “We’re calling for the blue wall of silence to be broken down.” (Emdin is the lawyer for the handcuffed man. Refer to the following link:)
The citizen who filmed that attack reports that he was beaten, as well.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/bronx_cops_beat_me_too_GRbukCFAzbS5aXiE7aCvyN#ixzz0dRimQJWG
_____
I’m seeing some terrible things in my own community — things seem to be getting worse. I hope that people keep filming these incidents. Having said this, I realize that it’s perilous to do so. I still have hope that good people will help to turn this country around.
Sounds like to me Justified Force. Oops United Force of Corruption, yeah that’s it.
Are we on the eve of destruction…….?