Scott Greenfield at Simple Justice explores the evasive legal lexicon evoked by Houston police officers to minimize culpability for the videotaped beating of 15-year old burglary suspect Chad Holley three years ago.
Read the whole thing. Grits has not followed the case closely due to my own limited resources and the fact that the Houston media have covered it pretty thoroughly. (I see this blog's role as plugging gaps, not usurping the functions of the MSM.) But I couldn't resist sharing Greenfield's artful send-up of HPD's self-serving techno-speak.
I find it very disturbing that Texas Rangers have repeatedly demonstrated that they will not hesitate to commit perjury. Anyone watching that video can see that the Rangers testimony was total BS. Those officers were repeatedly and unnecessarily kicking a guy who was face down on the ground and was not in a position to resist. There were more than enough officers there to subdue him and handcuff him without all that. The testimony of the former Ranger is yet another black eye on the Ranger organization and law enforcement in general.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of paid expert witnesses. Keep in mind that these "experts" are testifying on behalf of a criminal accused. I'd be most curious to know how much they're being paid and by whom. This circumstance is certainly not out of the ordinary in most civil trials and, to a degree, in criminal trials where the defendant can afford to hire a first class defense. For the right price, you can find an expert who will testify to just about anything you need for them to say.
ReplyDelete9:32, did you even click through to the linked post? It's quoting testimony from COPS, not an expert witness. Clueless.
ReplyDeleteI did link to the post. Actually, Grits, they are quoting testimony from FORMER COPS who are giving expert testimony based upon their prior experience. I'm quite certain that neither of them are testifying under a subpoena or out of the goodness of their heart. If you took the time to check with any of your prosecutor or defense attorney friends, I think you'd find that this type of paid expert testimony is quite common. I would be shocked if either of them is not being well compensated for his testimony in this case. If you believe otherwise, you are incredibly naïve.
ReplyDelete9:54- So former cops' testimony doesn't count? And being paid to testify makes it OK to lie on the stand? Common or not, do you seriously think this is "justice". Did my time in Houston. The police there have always been prone to extralegal beatings and other abuse, and the population there has always looked the other way by giving bad cops a pass. I'm beginning to wonder if HPD has been training some on APD, given the increasing propensity of APD cops to do extralegal "compliance" techniques. At least HPD cops didn't shot the kid.
ReplyDeletePigs spotted flying in formation over Houston.
ReplyDeleteVerdict announced in Chad Holley police beating case
A former Houston police officer was charged with official oppression for his role in the 2010videotaped beating of the teenager.
Poor bastard will get probation and a monthly yet healthy brown paper sack to get him thru this until he's back on the job. Brotherhood and gangs go hand in hand.
ReplyDeletehmmm, If the cops riot, would that also be a legal stance.
I still say it's long past time that the default with govt testamony of ANY type should be
ReplyDeleteIf there is no video evidence. It did NOT happen!
Via the Comical:
ReplyDeleteFor Ryser and supporters, it was unbelievable.
"I'm a little sad and upset that six people would honestly believe I would intentionally mistreat anyone," Ryser said after the verdict. He was accused of kicking the teenager in the head as he and other officers descended on Holley before handcuffing him. "I didn't kick him if it looks that way to somebody, it looks that way, but I'm not going to lie about it."
HPD Training to the very end. Take the hit & we'll take care of you brother. I see a book deal comming & job offers three counties over and to the right. "I didn't do it, it looks like I did but I didn't do it"
Grits, regarding the possibility of something positive coming from this un-isolated incident. Do you believe it’s possible to get a Rep. to draft a bill that leads to juries being comprised of two or three of the races inhabiting our state? "Noas 'Jury' Ark" could lead to a decrease in Jury Misconduct aka: bullying / peer pressure to conform & comply so we can go home syndrome.
ReplyDeleteAsking, due to the so-called activist crediting the two of everything for the guilty verdict and pointing out that an all white jury siding with one of the white bad cops.