Discussion:

Discussion for article #235392

well, presumably with all those hours of required training, there are several instructors willing to come forward to confirm his claims… not to mention sign-in sheets at the facility providing the training. problem solved.

With the anniversary of Bundy in the air, I won’t be surprised if next he starts telling us everything he knows about the Negroes.

“That is not correct,” Bates said on NBC’s “Today,” adding that he has proof of his training “in writing.”

Right, I’m pretty sure that’s what’s being challenged here…the ‘in writing’ part.

Took less than a week before he started talking about how hard this was for him. And Mr. Bates? Natural disasters “happen” to people. This isn’t the worst thing to happen to you: it’s the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life, and everyone knows about it.

Meanwhile, Eric Harris is still dead.

To be honest, I am not entirely sure individual justice will be served by convicting this man of manslaughter. It was clearly an unintended act and he should never have had any sort of weapon, let alone a lethal weapon. From my point of view where the justice system should chiefly be used as rehabilitation and deterrence, nothing is accomplished by his incarceration. It’s the Sheriff whose head I want on a figurative pike, along with the “fuck your breath” officers.

On the other hand, there’s a limit to the criminal liability which could fall on the Sheriff’s department even in theory, and people deserve to know that someone who bears a significant share of the guilt will be punished for this horrible crime, when so many have not in recent months.

I just feel like the prosecutors are going to use him as a convenient scapegoat to avoid local government taking a good, long, hard look at the Sheriff’s department.

And certainly, if instructors were transferred for failing to sign-off on that supposed training, they can be interviewed about the circumstances of their transfer, right?

Well, except for the “deterrence” part.

Apparently putting overage donors onto the local police force, complete with lethal weapons, is a common practice. It needs to stop. Putting Bates in jail would send a very clear message to other law enforcement agencies out there.

Quite plausible.
Though I’d also hope the by-product of this event-- will make other Police and Sherriff’s Depts be far more stringent in their practices of deputizing.

jw1

idk… the issue does seem to be generating some attention on this that most people didn’t even realize was going on across the country. at the very least, sheriff depts will be taking a harder look at who is riding along – if for no other reason than to avoid the inevitable lawsuits.

If it were up to me, charges would also be filed against the sheriff and any other idiots who gave this man a lethal weapon and allowed him into a situation where he might use it.

If local jurisdictions have to coddle wealthy cop wannabees, let them dress up in uniforms and serve as crossing guards or funeral escorts or some such. Don’t put them in situations where others can die.

Cancer which you survived maybe could be lower on the list of bad things considering this guy, you know, didn’t.

The deputy apologized to Harris’ family and described the killing as “the second worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Or first.” He compared it to when he found out he was diagnosed with cancer.

It’s all about you, isn’t it? Why don’t you ask Eric Harris where this particular event ranks on his list of bad things that have happened to him?

I watched this earlier this morning and can’t bear to watch it again… from what I could gather, the evidence of his training comes in the form of a letter from a convicted killer who is in prison? He made no sense at all, and frankly his daughters nodding their heads made me want to change the channel.

If you’re black with a cell phone you have an elevated chance of getting shot. This guy gets to go out and play cowboy cop, and makes a ¨tragic mistake,¨ murders someone, and will, no doubt, not have to serve any time.

If you’re looking for a poster boy for the concept of white privilege, there you go.

Why is this guy even doing TV interviews? He should be ashamed to show his face in public, let alone give an interview on national television.

I don’t think they’ll be able avoid it. There will undoubtedly be a civil suit filed against the fake cop and the department, and those suits will probably force some sort of review of their practices. An end to the practice of allowing people to pay to play cop may even be part of a settlement.

“the SECOND worse thing that ever happened to ME.”

There ya go, buddy. You’re entire problem.

When the “I thought it was my taser” defense doesn’t work, he’ll go with affluenza.

“You can’t put me in jail! I’m too rich and white!”

The gentleman said “It could happen to anyone”. I presume he’s referring to the horrible mistake he made that resulted in the death of a man. Ummm, no buddy. You were not properly trained for one thing. Secondly you are a cop wanna-be. Thirdly you should not have even been in that situation. Lastly most folks don’t carry guns so they aren’t likely to shoot somebody.