More evidence is emerging supporting Ferguson officer Darren Wilson’s claims in the shooting of Michael Brown. The most recent story states that Brown did not have his hands up in the air, as supporters have long claimed, when he was shot. The image of people holding her hands in the air has become the unifying symbol of case and the new evidence represents a new contradiction of the account of Brown’s friend, Dorian Johnson, who insisted that Brown was not shot in a struggle in the car and was shot with his hands in the air.
The fatal encounter between Wilson and Brown occurred shortly after Brown committed a strong arm robbery of a store owner in stealing some cigars:
However, Brown was unarmed when he was shot and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon quickly called for the prosecution of Wilson and referred to Brown as the victim and Eric Holder ordered a massive federal investigation of the shooting as a civil rights violation before the completion of the local investigation.
Much of the anger stemmed from the account of Johnson. As discussed earlier, the evidence indicates that Wilson was suffered some injuries in a struggle and that, consistent with his account, Brown was shot at close quarters, his blood was on the service weapon. The evidence also reportedly supports the claim that the gun was discarded within the car in a struggle.
Regardless of how one reads this evidence, it is another cautionary tale in rushing to judgment in such cases before the investigation is completed. The involvement of politicians and protesters in immediately demanding prosecution can have a highly distortive effect on such cases. There has been an immediate and negative response to any suggestions of evidence supporting the officer in this controversy. The fact is that this controversy — and subsequent rioting — was based on the account of Johnson and very early (and contested) stories of what occurred. As I have previously discussed, while the looting and rioting was not their fault, it was highly improper for politicians to assign guilt before the completion of even the initial investigation.
Wilson reportedly testified before the Grand Jury that he pulled over in his SUV to talk to Brown and his friend Dorian Johnson about the theft of cigarillos. He said that when tried to get out, Brown slammed the door shut and punched him in the face. He just that, when he reached for his weapon, Brown grabbed it and it was pointing for a time at Wilson in the struggling. He said that it was in this struggle that Brown was shot in the hand. He said that he then chased after Brown who allegedly turned and ran toward him. Wilson testified that he told him to stop and then fired. He said that when Wilson continued, he fired more shots.
The independent experts hired by the Post-Dispatch said that they believed that the evidence supported Wilson on some critical points and that a significant struggle occurred in direct and irreconcilable conflict with the account of Johnson. Forensic pathologist from San Francisco, Dr. Judy Melinek, said that Brown’s palms could not have been facing Wilson in the standard surrender position – with hands up and palms out – when he was shot. While other scenarios could explain the evidence and there is still the question of why so many shots were fired (even if the officer’s account is true), there may remain considerable conflicts in the original account.
Those conclusions would seem to support growing view that the Obama Administration also found insufficient evidence to support any federal charge in the shooting and is leaking stories to prepare people for the closing of the investigation.
Source: CBS
Paul C. Schulte
WHO is reporting a minimum of 5000 Ebola deaths so far this year and think it is much higher. It is early days as the British say.
==================
I am glad those villains dropped their demand to 5000.
“[Thou] foul defacer of God’s handiwork.” – Shakespeare (Richard III)
You abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. – Shakespeare (Coriolanus)
“Paul C. Schulte
3 sheriff deputies were shot today in California”
Well that should make some people here pretty happy.
“How now, wool-sack, what mutter you?” – Shakespeare (Henry IV, part I)
You abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone. – Shakespeare (Coriolanus)
“Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.” – Shakespeare (Richard III)
Thou whoreson, senseless villain! – Shakespeare (The Comedy of Errors)
Paul, I believe the family had asked for a govt. coroner to observe the proceedings and make certain the autopsy was going as it should. I need to find that link and will try to get it for you.
Squeeky,
Yep, non-partisan alright. LOL 😛
To keep it non-partisan:
There have been more Americans who fellated Clinton than have died from Ebola. 🙂
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Max-1
Perspective…
There have been more Americans married to Newt Gingrich than have died from Ebola.
=================
LOL.
And some of them probably would have preferred death by Ebola.
WHO is reporting a minimum of 5000 Ebola deaths so far this year and think it is much higher. It is early days as the British say.
Dredd,
That is why my police brutality mantra is:
Who protects the people FROM the police?
It should be the good guy with the gun and badge…
… But it appears there’s a majority of them covering up for bad guys with guns and badges.
Where’s Aunt Bea and Opie when we need them?
Perspective…
There have been more Americans married to Newt Gingrich than have died from Ebola.
5 teens were shot in Washington State today.
thirty thousand children died of starvation today.
3 sheriff deputies were shot today in California
Max-1
Dredd,
Would shooting a fleeing suspect DEAD also constitute a use of cruel and unusual punishment? (8th Am.)
I mean, after the denial of due process, that is… (5th Am.) Unless someone can prove that Brown was a public threat at the time… Again, did Wilson know about the robery or, as the Chief of Police stated, it is an unrelated incident?
================================
Yes.
But that comes from dicta in the decision.
“the police uproot our tradition by becoming judge, jury, and executioner”
The pigs do not grasp that one.
Paul C. Schulte
Marbury v Madison was a grab by the Supreme Court to allow it to use its jurisdiction of overview, but only in federal cases.
Quite frankly I have no earthy idea why you think the law of when, which is not a law to begin with, has anything to do with any of this.
============================
I know you say you are an old original hippie.
But let me add “one that could not hold the fort.”
And so the wind took you away to the right.
Probably why you have no earthy idea.
But, nevertheless You are Here and your sacred opinions are still just that.
And nothing more quoth the raven.
BTW, Marbury v Madison was an obviously good decision.
How you miss the obvious!
No extra credits.
Dredd,
Would shooting a fleeing suspect DEAD also constitute a use of cruel and unusual punishment? (8th Am.)
I mean, after the denial of due process, that is… (5th Am.) Unless someone can prove that Brown was a public threat at the time… Again, did Wilson know about the robery or, as the Chief of Police stated, it is an unrelated incident?
Annie
What is so difficult to understand that he may have been walking BACK toward Wilson with hands up in surrender….Wilson shot anyway.
===========================================
Yep.
He was shot in the black.
Annie,
That would explain witness’ stating he stopped and turned and raised his hands…
Dredd
It causes fascists to have seizures (if you know what I mean Verne).
= = =
Like I never noticed the twitching on this blog… LOL
“I doth snark” Shakeaspear (Hamomelet n Cheese)
What is so difficult to understand that he may have been walking BACK toward Wilson with hands up in surrender….Wilson shot anyway.