This posting will be for the "Police Brutality" and "Neoliberalism" series of this journal/ blog. It may seem odd that I would put this in a "neoliberalism" series/ posting ... but I'll explain that below, because this is also a result of neoliberalism. This posting is to focus on the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police. George is also a Texan, he moved to Minneapolis several years back, for a fresh start in life ... he grew up in the Third Ward of South Central Houston. Again, these cases are becoming common, and so much of this, I can't even keep up with the amount of police brutality that goes on in U.S.. I mean, we just got done not long ago with Breonna Taylor of Louisville (KY) (NBC News), an EMT worker, who's home was invaded by police, and murdered during a botched search warrant, that killed Breonna in her own home, who done nothing, I haven't even covered that yet. The last PT.34 I done for the Police Brutality series, was yet another model citizen, Atatiana Jefferson of Fort Worth (TX), murdered in her own home ... these injustices and murders are being committed more frequently. Now we have George, another man killed for no reason by police, and all filmed, the witnesses in public told police that they/ he were killing this man, even George begged police and for folks to help him, because he was dying. They killed George anyway, even on camera and with witnesses, because it got to the point, where some feel confident that they can get away today with abusive and excessive force in policing, that even leads to murder in some cases, because some have. I linked some read and video below, and importantly, to hear out George's brother Philonise first. The last video below, is a black/ hispanic CNN reporter and his crew being arrested for nothing but covering the protests aftermath, by State Police ... there was also a white reporter nearby with his crew, that was not arrested. This clearly shows the depth of America's disguised institutional racism. Resistance, from especially our younger people, whether Baltimore 2015, and/ or today in U.S., with big THANX to international solidarity and support (CNN) ... all is in order, justified, and true liberty ... considering how people are increasingly treated. At the bottom, I'll add some of my views on this murder/ manslaughter case.
George Floyd's brother: I'm tired of seeing black men die ... Thanx to CNN
***** WCCO CBS4 MINNESOTA: Former MPD Officer Derek Chauvin In Custody, Charged With Murder In George Floyd's Death ... (newsread/ video/ links)
***** AP NEWS | Lisa Marie Pane: Police, experts condemn knee restraint used on George Floyd ... (newsread)
***** DEMOCRACY NOW!: "It Was Murder": Minneapolis Demands Charges in Police Killing of George Floyd, Calls to Defund Cops ... (news video/ transcript)
***** KSTP NEWS | Ana Lastra & Eric Rasmussen: George Floyd, fired officer overlapped security shifts at south Minneapolis club ... (newsread/ video)
***** CNN | Faith Karimi: Minneapolis police release 911 call that led to encounter with George Floyd ... (newsread/ call transcript)
Woman Who Captured George Floyd Killing Returns To Scene ... Thanx to NowThis News
CNN reporter arrested live on air while covering Minneapolis protests ... Thanx to The Independent
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***** PD | RCJ: "POLICE BRUTALITY" ... PART'S 34 THRU 1
***** PD | RCJ: "NEOLIBERALISM" ... PART'S 12 THRU 1
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Ranch Chimp (Thomas Hudson Pickering)
The reason Hennepin County Attorney's Office seemed slow to getting Chauvin charged, is because, they felt if they acted too fast without careful review, they would do something wrong, an example they were looking at, is how Baltimore's Freddie Gray in police custody death, ended up as a legal justice failure (Baltimore Sun). It's the truth, too, because when you are charging cops from wrongful death to murder, you better have your top prosecution crew to go over it again and again with a fine tooth comb ... the cop's defense can hit and miss in court, the prosecution making a case cannot. Before Chauvin was charged or taken into custody, as difficult as it is to watch Mr. Floyd being slowly killed and Chauvin being protected by fellow officers allowing him to do so, while citizen/ witnesses pleaded for mercy, as well as Floyd ... I had to force myself to watch all videos over and over closely, and block my emotions out. I was watching as though I am a juror, and already went through the trial phase and all closing arguments of both defendant and prosecution ... and what I was looking at, was a weak murder case, some looking like an involuntary manslaughter case, based on all evidence that I reviewed in the news ... because I know damn well, how Chauvin's defense is going to present their case on what we have at this point. I had to watch it over and over, because the biggest problem I kept coming up with while watching the nearly 9 minute video of Chauvin's knee to neck of Floyd, from the perspective of a juror or member of a prosecution team, was trying to establish "intent" ... which is crucial for a solid airtight murder conviction. The importance is because, even with a conviction, if there is any weak spots, you can bet that it can likely be overturned in an appeal court, cops have one step up on citizens when it comes to being defended, I know it's not equal, especially under law, but it's an unwritten benefit that comes with being a cop. And Yes, even a cop like Chauvin, who has enough write-ups/ complaints in his career, comparable in length, to a career criminal rap sheet. Cops alwayz say "stop resisting" when they are escalating force, to have it recorded on record or in front of witnesses, even if the suspect is not resisting, for a case like this ... Floyd was not posing any threat or resisting, besides not complying to go on the ground. I give details in the last paragraph here, on what to do when being detained and handcuffed, and what can/ may qualify as resistance to an officer.
The knee to neck usage is another problem I seen, because I been viewing various wording and opinions on this, from state to state ... from, it's no way to be used, to being used with high caution, with policy wording to that being very vague, which I feel is purposely wrote vaguely, for reason such as a case like this coming against an officer. I have seen the knee to neck used several times on the street (but mostly knee to legs, arms, shoulder, or back) and I even had concern watching it at times, because of the pressure to the neck. Bottom line is, in a situation like this, where a cop's adrenaline is in high gear, it's too difficult to go by all the rules/ wording on how and what to apply when and where ... meaning, that any type of knee, arm, baton/ nightstick, or whatever to the neck, or even head, should be outlawed, period. I mean, you usually like in Floyd's death, have 2,3,4,5, officers restraining while detaining a suspect, while having everything from spit hoods, to zip ties, cuffs, mace to pepper sprays, to tasers ... meaning these methods of excessive force we see, are no way needed. "IF" they felt Floyd was out of control even, which he was clearly NOT, one quick zip tie to the wrists, and another to the ankles, with only 2 officers needed to simultaneously apply them, would have Floyd restrained in 30 seconds, and you can bet he would go nowhere, and you wouldn't even have to have a hand or foot to hold him down, or even break a sweat ... simple as that. They need to investigate any previous job contact between Chauvin and Floyd, they both had shifts overlapped doing security work at the same nightclub in South Minneapolis, and Floyd is a convicted Texas felon, Chauvin may have not liked Floyd before this incident. Yes, there are convicted felons doing security, and some get hired because of their street experience, and it's common for cops to moonlight at clubs/ venues after hours. When I worked security back when I was about 50 years old in Uptown Dallas' nightclub district, on busy nights, special events, a DPD cop would come and help me, he was moonlighting, he worked DPD as regular job, working East Dallas Gang Unit (since he grew up in that barrio), and also Crime Scene, securing like homicide scenes, he taped off and guard over so no one contaminate area/ evidence, until detectives and forensics done their thing. But we got along good, and I learned alot from him. Chauvin may have had a grudge with Floyd.
The media yesterday was quick to broadcast that Chauvin is in custody charged with murder and manslaughter ... many are relieved, and feel a little better, from which seemed to many as too long a wait. And this is great, but remember, it is more great to make sure you actually get somewhere with a conviction. Media made sure to announce the words "charged with murder" over anything else, but it's much deeper than that, or words. They say what the maximum sentences are ... and that's about it. The max sentence if found guilty on both charges is about 35 years combined, which is a 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter (different way of charging and degrees than Texas). This is why it is so importante to take your time putting this case together ... because it would be so easy from evidence so far, for Chauvin's defense to work this down to a probation deal, or drop a certain charge to focus on another, or for a jury to decline one over another. This is why it's also importante for federal law to get involved investigating for a case of civil rights violations/ charges. Also in Floyd's defense, the counterfeit $20 that Floyd allegedly tried to pass at the store which caused the police call, you have to prove that Floyd knew it was counterfeit, remember that. I mention this, because a couple years ago, a store clerk here in Dallas gave me my change from a purchase, and gave me a counterfeit $5 bill ... I told the clerk the $5 is counterfeit, and showed her why, and told her to give me another $5, and to tell authorities. If Floyd had a couple drinx in him as they say, it is very possible, he had no idea that it was a phony $20, and why would he try to pass it, having started a new life and having a security job, with a past record, knowing that's a federal offense? He would have passed it more likely in a street transaction, than a store. You also have to bring some kind of charges on the other officers involved, so that cases interact, it makes it more secure on the murder/ manslaughter case. The other officers had an obligation when they see something like this to intervene, and to tell Chauvin he needs to chill/ back off a sec, etc ... they allowed this to happen, even with nearly 3 minutes of no movement, breathing, or response from Floyd. All these charges of other officers for their participation, civil rights violations, etc, can be used to help conviction in this case ... or else ... there is more of a chance that Chauvin a year or so later, will walk away with a probation, suspended sentence, plea bargain, mistrial/ hung jury, etc.
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On a final note ... the reason I put this in the "Neoliberalism" series, is because this disease of abusing citizens has been growing fast and dangerously over the last 4 decades, it has contaminated our entire society like a cancer. You can clearly see this as well on how our government responded to the coronavirus, the rush to do everything they can to make folks work, even in hazardous conditions, to asking people to be willing to die for the economy/ Wall Street. I mean, 2020 is a year, from the handling of the pandemic, to the mistreatment of citizens, to gunning down our children in the streets and so on ... that should definitely be a wake up call beyond any of past, as to the outright tyrannical rule that we are being challenged with. Politicians have for years refused to do anything about this of any value to society/ people ... the ruling establishments of both political parties, whether the fascist wing of the republican party, or the aristocracy wing of the democratic party have both collectively failed this country. This is also why we have mass incarceration, systemic racism, debt slavery, privatized prison systems for profit, and a failed healthcare system, and reluctance to deal with environmental hazards to climate change, and on and on ... all part of the neoliberal economics model and culture. This should be a new phase for Americans to act to get some kind of actual justice rolling, and you can't do that simply by voting alone, or holding up signs and walking in circles singing "We Shall Overcome". The outrage from people should be continuous and vigorous, over and over and over, not just this last week, or until another tragedy happens ... because our government's ruling class, are under the authority and payroll of oligarchs, and they are what designs what been happening in our society with injustices. We are dealing with tyrants ... never become complacent with this new normal they push on you, or it will only get worse. As far as the President and his tweets (which is all he's good for, hiding and talking shit on a phone device, or behind a podium surrounded by an entourage of high security), about thugs, looting, and shooting ... which he sayz he didn't mean to sound like that (which is another lie). Mr. President, if you were so concerned about "thugs and looting", you certainly wouldn't sign bills left and right, that give 90%+ of everything to the wealthiest people, even foreign entities, that are drafted by corporate lobbyists and the thugs they represent, that clearly loot not only our taxes, but the entire federal government, and all our public assets and society, while weakening our Constitutional Rights.
Word Out ....
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***** RANCH CHIMP JOURNAL "WELCOME" POST
***** RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY (my hand- selected music/ arts picks)
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