There is an ongoing controversy in Los Angeles where pharmacist Kim Nguyen, 27, has charged that she was picked up for no reason by police, handcuffed, sexually assaulted, and then thrown out of a moving police car. A video shows the scene as Nguyen is left bleeding on the road.
The officers were identified as David Shin and Jin Oh in a report from the LA Times.
Nguyen says that she was waiting with her friends for a taxi to take them home when LAPD pulled up and began asking them questions. Despite the fact that they were waiting for a taxi to take them home, the officers allegedly declared Nguyen to be intoxicated and put her in the car in handcuffs. The officer left her two male friends behind and they say that the officers refused to tell them where they were taking Nguyen. She says that one officer stayed in the backseat with her as the other drove down the road. She claims that the officer in the backseat groped her behind her thighs as well as her chest. She says that she was then thrown out of the moving car. A video shows her on the road as a squad car is seen speeding through the intersection.
Nguyen was left in a coma with a broken jaw and brain injuries. She spent two weeks in the hospital. She reportedly lost all of her teeth.
Police insisted that Kim “fell out” of the car but critics say that the video shows the car speeding through the intersection. Her lawyer, Arnoldo Casillas, charges “[t]he video shows that the statement that the police officers gave the paramedics is an unabashed, unequivocal lie.” He notes that, since she was handcuffed, she could not open the door herself. Kim adds that she could not have opened the door herself, because she was handcuffed.
However, why would the officer throw the woman handcuffed from the car when they knew that witnesses saw the arrest and the handcuffs would implicate them?
On the other hand, why arrest a woman who says that she is waiting for a taxi with friends?
It is a curious case to be sure and quite disturbing. The LAPD has made no further statement.
Nguyen is now suing the LAPD and discovery could prove very interesting given the sharp conflict in accounts.
Kudos: Michael Blott
Mespo says: “I need a lot more info on this one before reaching any conclusions. No one’s version passed the smell test but we do know a restrained detainee has been injured while in custody. We know she claims sexual assault. Where is the rape kit? Where are the medical reports? Where are the witness statements?”
This stuff really disturbs me. First, we know there is a problem whenever a restrained “detainee” has been injured while in custody. This happens quite often. Usually we hear the officers acted appropriately while the local government is giving a huge chunk of the taxpayers’ money to the victim or the victim’s family.
We also know she claimed to be sexually assaulted. Of course, just because she alleges this doesn’t mean anyone should be arrested or placed on suspension while an investigation takes place. I’m sure the LAPD wouldn’t detain some ordinary citizen merely because some crazy girl claimed to be sexually assaulted.
There apparently has been no claim of rape, so that could possibly explain why the LAPD hasn’t provided Mespo with the rape kit. The medical reports are most likely at the hospital, unless the LAPD took them. These medical reports are important because the pictures shown of her injuries could be fake. I am guessing, but I’ll bet the LAPD has the witness statements, unless they’ve been inadvertently misplaced along with the names of the witnesses. But, at this juncture, we don’t know if the witnesses are still alive.
Maybe if Mespo contacts the LAPD, they will turn over all the evidence for him to review. For now, let’s not jump to any conclusions. We need to let the officers get their story straight and to fabricate a case against this woman before we call for the cops to get a paid leave of absence or call for convicting this woman for conspiracy to ruin the fine reputations of LAPD’s finest.
Obviously she had it coming and the officers acted with great restraint. Why not give them a promotion and a raise for being
Role models for all LAPD cops who already have a sterling reputation for protecting and serving.
Snark.
Anybody knows any updated information on the lawsuit?
Mespo: I think you intended to include a Gene Wilder clip at the end of your message, but missed it.
The reason they lied because they know they are essentially above the law. Amazig we know their names
I don’t think a general has ever ridden a nuclear bomb. But, I do believe “my precious bodily fluids” have been compromised, even though Mandrake was skeptical.
Some good natured busting balls. That’s healthy. I’ve spent a lotta time in Philly, Ralph. It’s their great soft pretzels and cheesesteaks for me. I get my quota. Never got the taste for scrapple. Then again, I never was a dumpster diver, eating what others threw away.
Ralph:
“Prosecutor: (Thinking to herself, “hmmm, somebody who might be a little too intelligent and not as malleable as I’d like….”)
My candid response made me the Prosecutor’s first peremptory strike.
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Well, that’s one possibility. It’s not the most likely one though. See Gene Wilder below.
Nick: As for Dr. Strangelove being fiction, which part did you have in mind?
nick The sending of US bombers into the Soviet Union without authorization is NOT fiction since Gen Lemay actually did that. You will notice that nothing is named after him in any place in the USAF, even though he was the main driving force behind making SAC a major force.
Nick: No, not a pretzel maker, but when I’m in Philly, I always try to get a good soft pretzel with mustard.
As for my most recent jury service experience, in a criminal case, the prosecutor asked me a question:
Prosecutor: And juror number 6, you will reach your decision based upon your own common sense?
Me: I will apply my common sense, but I will also reach my decision based upon the facts, the evidence presented, and the law as instructed by the Court.
Prosecutor: (Thinking to herself, “hmmm, somebody who might be a little too intelligent and not as malleable as I’d like….”)
My candid response made me the Prosecutor’s first peremptory strike.
Ralph, I LOVE Dr. Strangelove. But it fiction…you know that, right?
Ralph, You must be a pretzel maker on an assembly line in Pa. as you can sure twist stuff quickly. And, if you are as candid as you are here, you will thankfully never serve on a jury.
Ah, yes, Mespo, the “facts.” Let’s postpone judgment until all the “facts” are in. You sound like Gen. Turgidson, from the classic movie, Dr. Strangelove….
Turgidson: General Ripper called Strategic Air Command Headquarters shortly after he issued the go code. I have a phone transcript of that conversation if you’d like me to read it.
Muffley: Read it!
Turgidson: Ahem… The Duty Officer asked General Ripper to confirm the fact that he had issued the go code, and he said, uh, “Yes gentlemen, they are on their way in, and nobody can bring them back. For the sake of our country, and our way of life, I suggest you get the rest of SAC in after them. Otherwise, we will be totally destroyed by Red retaliation.” Uh… “My boys will give you the best kind of start, 1400 megatons worth, and you sure as hell won’t stop them now.” Uhuh. Uh… “So let’s get going, there’s no other choice. God willing, we will prevail, in peace and freedom from fear, and in true health, through the purity and essence of our natural… fluids. God bless you all.” And he hung up. [Pause as he realizes the implications of General Ripper’s words]
Turgidson: Uh, we’re… still trying to figure out the meaning of that last phrase, sir.
Muffley: There’s nothing to figure out, General Turgidson. This man is obviously a psychotic.
Turgidson: We-he-ell, uh, I’d like to hold off judgment on a thing like that, sir, until all the facts are in.
Mmh, it seems that was a year ago though… March 17th, 2013…
Not less horrifying of course.
Ralph Adamo:
“Are we getting it yet?”
**********************
I hardly ever get how people who don’t have all the facts are so certain of their conclusions.
Nick says: “Both parties will have some culpability here. This is not a world of super heroes and super villains as Hollywood has trained us to think.”
I will ‘splain this as well to you. You know, you’re right. Clearly Ms. Nguyen inflicted her own wounds and made up a bunch of nonsense because everybody knows that although the LAPD aren’s “super heros” they are all heros and are to be commended for their fine service and respect for human dignity. That is certainly evident to anybody who watches their response to see Ms. Nguyen laying on the ground with her self-inflicted wounds. And we should not think of Ms. Nguyen as a “super villain,” but merely a “villain” and a nuissance to society and the authoritarian state.
Are we getting it yet?
Mespo says: “I need a lot more info on this one before reaching any conclusions. No one’s version passed the smell test but we do know a restrained detainee has been injured while in custody. We know she claims sexual assault. Where is the rape kit? Where are the medical reports? Where are the witness statements?”
I will ‘splain this to you as well. The same types of corrupt LAPD investigators as the corrupt cops and the corrupt DA who are each a part of LA’s corrupt system are “making sure” that the evidence and information that you seek is carefully collected. But with the system being what it is, that evidence and the “chain of custody” will be as good as useless. Thus, there will be no evidence to support anything either way, at least insofar as the LA government and its various departments are concerned. The only evidence will be what Ms. Nguyen’s attorney, Arnoldo Casillas, and his assistants, will be able to identify and protect. I hope that they are able to move quickly, as the LAPD is extraordinarly efficient at destroying evidence.
Are we getting it yet?
We have become a culture of black and white, 100% or 0%. As mespo said, I need a lot more info. Here’s what I would bet on in this case. It is not 100% or 0%. Both parties will have some culpability here. This is not a world of super heroes and super villains as Hollywood has trained us to think. That said, I would bet the over on the cops being more culpable.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone if women start gunning down police state goons in LA to avoid this sort of sociopathic ultra-violence.
I certainly am not surprised to read of this happening as these types of things have been happening with increasing regularity for a number of years. I attribute it to the fact that a clear majority of Americans, from progressive leftys to law and order right-wingers, are authoritarian statists. They love to see anyone outside their tribe be punished by the state.
The cops that murdered Kelly Thomas in California were found not guilty of charges of manslaughter. Will the enlightened and caring people of that “liberal” state just shrug.
As a proponent of a stateless society, I’m used to statists asking who will build the roads if not government (or educate the kids, or “protect” us from terrorists). When will those who defend the excesses of those with the lawful monopoly on violence start asking who will sexually assault and brutalize the people if there is no state?
I guess if you are a right-winger, you can “restore the constitution” and solve all the problems, or if you’re a progressive, you can blog about educating society through state schools to elect the “right” people.
The problem is that when you vote and/or pay taxes and/or comply with the state, you implicitly give the state your consent to be governed and you give the state legitimacy and no matter what the state does, you are complicit.
I need a lot more info on this one before reaching any conclusions. No one’s version passed the smell test but we do know a restrained detainee has been injured while in custody. We know she claims sexual assault. Where is the rape kit? Where are the medical reports? Where are the witness statements?