Darren Wilson's Side of the Story

[whell]

The evidence and Officer Wilson's testimony is now finding its way out in the media. Too late for to repair the social damage that the media (and the social miscreants) have done in Ferguson and elsewhere. However, if the officer's account of the events is true, I certainly hope the "rush to judgement crowd" starts taking a long look in the mirror...but I won't hold my breath.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/us...ggle.html?_r=0

The police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., two months ago has told investigators that he was pinned in his vehicle and in fear for his life as he struggled over his gun with Mr. Brown, according to government officials briefed on the federal civil rights investigation into the matter.

The officer, Darren Wilson, has told the authorities that during the scuffle, Mr. Brown reached for the gun. It was fired twice in the car, according to forensics tests performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The first bullet struck Mr. Brown in the arm; the second bullet missed.

The forensics tests showed Mr. Brown’s blood on the gun, as well as on the interior door panel and on Officer Wilson’s uniform. Officer Wilson told the authorities that Mr. Brown had punched and scratched him repeatedly, leaving swelling on his face and cuts on his neck.

This is the first public account of Officer Wilson’s testimony to investigators, but it does not explain why, after he emerged from his vehicle, he fired at Mr. Brown multiple times......But the struggle in the car may prove to be a more influential piece of information for the grand jury, one that speaks to Officer Wilson’s state of mind, his feeling of vulnerability and his sense of heightened alert when he killed Mr. Brown.

Police officers typically have wide latitude to use lethal force if they reasonably believe that they are in imminent danger.

The officials briefed on the case said the forensic evidence gathered in the car lent credence to Officer Wilson’s version of events. According to his account, he was trying to leave his vehicle when Mr. Brown pushed him back in. Once inside the S.U.V., the two began to fight, Officer Wilson told investigators, and he removed his gun from the holster on his right hip.

[donquixote99]

In addition to the points you emphasized, I'd call attention to this one:

"This is the first public account of Officer Wilson’s testimony to investigators, but it does not explain why, after he emerged from his vehicle, he fired at Mr. Brown multiple times."

I recommend all click on the link and read the full article. I agree that the case should be adjudicated in a full, public trial.

[whell]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

In addition to the points you emphasized, I'd call attention to this one:

"This is the first public account of Officer Wilson’s testimony to investigators, but it does not explain why, after he emerged from his vehicle, he fired at Mr. Brown multiple times."

I recommend all click on the link and read the full article. I agree that the case should be adjudicated in a full, public trial.

Also from the article, and getting to the question of why Wilson fired at Brown:

But the struggle in the car may prove to be a more influential piece of information for the grand jury, one that speaks to Officer Wilson’s state of mind, his feeling of vulnerability and his sense of heightened alert when he killed Mr. Brown.

I'm not saying that anyone should be ready to exonerate Wilson. However, if you ask a cop about any individual who might attack a cop or go for a cop's gun, they'd likely say that based their experience / understanding these are some of the more dangerous folks out there.

[donquixote99]

I will be content if there is a trial, and will accept whatever the outcome may be.

[icenine]

How come there is no picture of Wilson's scratched and bloodied face? That would have been the first thing I would presented to the world as evidence that I was being beat up. In fact, a picture of a bloodied and swollen face probably would have averted the whole controversy. Once again this is the same source that says that Brown charged at him.

[whell]

Originally Posted by icenine

How come there is no picture of Wilson's scratched and bloodied face? That would have been the first thing I would presented to the world as evidence that I was being beat up. In fact, a picture of a bloodied and swollen face probably would have averted the whole controversy. Once again this is the same source that says that Brown charged at him.

It sounds like the evidence is being presented to the Grand Jury in MO, and the Feds who are looking in a Civil Rights case. From the article:

The officials said that while the federal investigation was continuing, the evidence so far did not support civil rights charges against Officer Wilson.

Thankfully, unlike some cases, some legal processes are not conducted like a media circus by the officials in charge. It used to be uncommon for evidence to be distributed to the media before a trial. Nowadays, sometimes both sides actively attempt to taint the jury pool ahead of a trial by whatever means necessary.

[BlueStreak]

"Thankfully, unlike some cases, some legal processes are not conducted like a media circus by the officials in charge. It used to be uncommon for evidence to be distributed to the media before a trial. Nowadays, sometimes both sides actively attempt to taint the jury pool ahead of a trial by whatever means necessary."

This is true.

In todays social media world the system moves far more slowly than information, regardless of truth. A tweet goes out, a phone video is posted to FaceBook and half the world accepts such transient information as "truth". A mans fate decided in 15 seconds by public opinion.

That being said, I still have no problem understanding the assumptions some individuals make. It's not like cops are loved by folks in poor, black neighborhoods and vice-versa. The track record there is very poor.

Dave

[icenine]

Originally Posted by whell

It sounds like the evidence is being presented to the Grand Jury in MO, and the Feds who are looking in a Civil Rights case. From the article:

The officials said that while the federal investigation was continuing, the evidence so far did not support civil rights charges against Officer Wilson.

Thankfully, unlike some cases, some legal processes are not conducted like a media circus by the officials in charge. It used to be uncommon for evidence to be distributed to the media before a trial. Nowadays, sometimes both sides actively attempt to taint the jury pool ahead of a trial by whatever means necessary.

Which is exactly what the police did when they released the video of the strong armed robbery by Brown.

Wilson will never get put on trial...but this case shows that when the police want to they can sort of sit on the scales of justice when it suits them. Regular people do not get such courtesy. A citizen would not get a grand jury so receptive to Wilson and be allowed to testify. The police do however.

[Tom Joad]

IMO Darren Wilson's story lacks credibility.

[icenine]

What kills me is all the criticism of no knock warrants, the prison industrial complex, over reaching governmental regulations....but the fear that maybe Brown was killed without due process seems impossible to some.