Spokane7
61°
December 20, 2011 in City
Judge rejects Thompson request
Says evidence sufficient to convict in Zehm case
A federal judge ruled again Monday that government prosecutors provided enough evidence to allow a jury to convict former Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. of using excessive force resulting in the death of Otto Zehm.
As he did during a four-week trial in Yakima, U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle denied a request by defense attorneys who argued that federal prosecutors failed to provide evidence showing that Thompson acted willfully or with a bad purpose when he beat Zehm with a baton and shocked him with a Taser.
A jury convicted Thompson on Nov. 2 of using unreasonable force and lying to investigators to cover up his actions during the confrontation on March 18, 2006, from which Zehm later died.
“To sustain the conviction, the government had to prove willfulness” and “intent to act with a bad or evil purpose,” defense attorney Carl Oreskovich said. “The act was proven, but there was no evidence whatsoever of bad or evil purpose.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Durkin countered that willfulness in such cases most often is proven by circumstantial evidence. “Rarely do you have a statement” of intent, he said. “The circumstantial evidence … in this case is significant.”
Van Sickle agreed.
“I find sufficient evidence that a rational jury could find all the elements” of the excessive force charge, Van Sickle said. “The motion is denied.”
Following the brief hearing, Thompson and his attorneys, Oreskovich, Steve Lamberson and Courtney Garcea, all declined comment.
Zehm’s uncle, Dale Zehm, said: “The system is still working. Everything is going as we hoped it would go.”
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 27, but Oreskovich is expected to file a motion Friday asking Van Sickle to order a new trial.
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
Ron_the_Cop on December 20 at 7:29 a.m.
There is an extensive comment thread in an earlier post of this article.
Here’s my two cents:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/19/judge-denies-thompsons-acquittal-request/?comments#c386769
Justy,
Normally pensions can’t be touched for damage awards e.g., OJ Simpson’s NFL pension.
Did I hear mud wrestling?
Might I suggest all the hostility re KT and others partially be redirected now to those leaders that are responsible for allowing this to occur?
Ron_the_Cop on December 20 at 7:52 a.m.
Brian,
Your wise and sage counsel that was largely ignored has now come to pass. There is a national AP wire story running on Spokane by AP Regional Reporter Nick Geranios:
http://tinyurl.com/6wt453p
brianrbreen on December 20 at 8:32 a.m.
@Ron_the_Cop
I know, got calls regarding it from the east coast, there wasn’t much I could say other then to try and laugh it off. But really it isn’t funny.
You of course are right about the Brass, which is why I’m concerned about what the new mayor is going to do even on an interim basis. I have nothing against Scott Stevens and I hear he is a good troop but it might be a good idea even on an interim basis to find someone that wasn’t involved in any way with the Zehm case and hasn’t developed close relationships with some folks down there.
I try and I try to understand what the hell these people are thinking, and I just can’t figure it out. I think I understand to an extent, that when all of your leadership backs a guy like KT to the hilt you figure it’s okay.
I think that leadership may have gotten caught with their pants down regarding their backing that may or may not become an issue shortly, but to me demonstrates that something went terribly wrong at some point and ethics and judgment went right out the window.
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 8:41 a.m.
The national AP story has been out for two days.
This S/R story is no different from yesterday’s filed after the hearing.
If we continue to see SPD officers to comment under their own names, we’ll know the Brass cares nothing about proper administration of justice.
The_Seer on December 20 at 9:03 a.m.
I was skeptical concerning outcomes when the Feds got the ball rolling in this case. The grab your crotch and say “I’ve got your investigation right here” response from the SPD ticked off someone in the DOJ and from all appearances they are the ones sporting the wood now, so to speak.
Hard as Ironwood? Nope. But wieldy enough to take down the Dirty Dozen.
Verner’s move to bring in the feds will look good at her sentencing.
misjustice on December 20 at 9:27 a.m.
Hard to take any of your complaints seriously when you misspell words & use wrong definitions. Don’t know which words or definitions? Look them up.
The_Seer on December 20 at 9:31 a.m.
justgrammaagain: Ideas are what matter, not the formality of presentation. If you want to get all “grammar police” your latest post is composed entirely of sentence fragments. S/V/O, like you’ll even know what that means…
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 9:55 a.m.
JustMeAgain on December 20 at 9:27 a.m.
Hard to take any of your complaints seriously when you misspell words & use wrong definitions. Don’t know which words or definitions? Look them up.
Name one instance of what you assert.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 9:59 a.m.
Where’s Davida’s comments today?
wdodd on December 20 at 10:19 a.m.
As posted on 505 We support Convicts (KT)
Heidi Rossie
We have never met Karl Thompson, yet we stand behind him 100%. We know very well about the “drive-by media.” I was talking to a man in the City’s Attorney office the other day who said, ” I used to believe everything I read in the newspaper, until I heard first hand what was really going on.” This man no longer listens nor reads what the media has to say. To Officer Thompson, our prayers are with you every day. Stay strong and continue to fight! I speak for all the folks you have never met but whom support you 100%. God bless you & your family. Merry Christmas!
This is very troubling when you back up a convicted felon that you have never met!!! Yes i see a big problem with the SPD/SCSO.
liveinfearoftheSPD on December 20 at 10:38 a.m.
She is no doubt lying back and licking her wounds.
Shelala on December 20 at 11:49 a.m.
Where is the brass in all this mess and why have they remained silent? If you read all the previous comments, you would discover references to veiled threats of stalking charges by SPD’s finest for a blogger that googled Officer Davida”s name, the posting of blogger names in the SPD KT support page (no squwaker, they haven’t been removed) including my own as enemies of KT and much much more. If I wanted my blogger ID posted on KT’s site, I would have entered a comment myself. The saluting 50 have even made national headlines. Why is it that the entire country can recognize that KT’s supporters actions have been out of line, but their leaders and our elected officials stand mute? It would appear that the city is waiting for the feds to come in solve these problems instead of being responsible and addressing the problems from within. When the house is burning, do you stand by and watch it burn or at least get the family out and grab a garden hose?
liveinfearoftheSPD on December 20 at 12:21 p.m.
The Brass in all this are no doubt up to their ears in the cover-ups.
I don’t expect them to admonish people who might “Have the goods” on them.
wordcollector on December 20 at 12:35 p.m.
Interestingly, it appears that Zinkgraf’s posting she shared on some other Facebook pages regarding the Zehm incident in Kootenai County (in which she claims that the two families are related and suggests this is proof of Zehm “deserving” what he got, I guess) is no longer there. If her argument/thinking here is sound (which it’s not, of course) then the SPD better start hiding its own collective family skeletons, lest they be implicated in all the past and future crimes of humanity.
Sadly, there is a culture of arrogance and entitlement developing within the SPD, and likely, within other police departments. They can’t/don’t distinguish fact from opinion. If you look at some of the things they’re saying on Facebook and even have a conversation with some of them, they actually truly believe that they are always in the right—that the God they pray to is always in their side, and that their own vision of truth and justice is the only one. They sound like the early pilgrims emigrating to America (We arrived safely through illness and storm because we were righteous and God willed it, but those people in that ship drowned at sea because they were bad, and God willed that, too).
Look at how they pick and choose which tidbits of information they want to accept and which they want to discard. Bald facts do not sway them because they can conveniently attribute this to “manipulation of information” or even to the influence of “pure evil” in the world. I have overheard local officers more than once throw the idea out there that the Zehm videotapes shouldn’t be relied on as evidence of KT’s wrongdoing because it has been proven inconclusively that sometimes referees still can’t make the right call based on instant replay. Talk about apples and oranges. But I think, in some of their minds, the Monday night game isn’t really any different than the rights and lives of the citizens they’re supposed to serve and protect. It’s a game, and they’re in control. In their minds, they should probably get to sign autographs.
These people have surrounded themselves in unquestioning, blind ignorance in order to preserve their own version of the world in which they are the only true believers, the one ones who know what is going on, the only ones who should have a role in shaping society. On one hand, it’s laughable, but when you see the outcomes of this kind of thinking in the death of innocent people and the blatant lack of sympathy or empathy from the department toward the citizens who pay their salaries and to whom their loyalty should come first, it’s frightening. Even worse, it appears to be a mentality that this younger generation of officers, who really see themselves as heroes, will likely hand off to those who come after them. Some things never change.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 1:21 p.m.
Everyone please join me in contacting the “brass” to turn in Davida for putting our names on the convicted cop’s friend’s website.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 1:26 p.m.
Reported their facebook page, as well.
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 1:32 p.m.
Well said, wordcollector.
I do not know how far ingrained this cult of personality exists, but it is troubling that there seems to be no evidence of current rational law enforcement officials correctly agreeing with the outcome of this case. They continue to assert, after all the evidence was presented, that Thompson did absolutely nothing wrong.
Where are the good cops?
wdodd on December 20 at 1:51 p.m.
I found Davida!!! she posted this on 505 We support a Convict
Davida Zinkgraf Janine…that is exactly what I tell my 18 year old nephew who wants to be a cop….I beg him to be anything other then a “cop”….
about an hour ago
wordcollector on December 20 at 1:54 p.m.
@greenlibertarian Exactly. And I, too, wonder where the good cops are, especially since some of those who seemed like good cops in the past are the most vocal about supporting KT. In fact, it seems that most LE defending Thompson don’t even really address what happened. They have nothing to say when people talk about the fact that he (and others )lied. On this issue, they are strangely silent. And yet, that is one of the things KT was convicted of. They rarely dispute that KT struck Zehm with a baton repeatedly; instead, they talk about his military service and what a great guy he is. People also talked about what a charming man Ted Bundy was. Nearly every parent of a child who has abused and/or killed someone will talk about what a sweet baby he/she was, my point being, sometimes good people do bad things, and the law is there to make them accountable. As people have said over and over, these cops defending him don’t have any respect for the law they are supposed to uphold or for the citizenry they serve. Like many others, I think that those officers who hold the public and the decisions made by the courts that enforce the law in such public contempt shouldn’t be allowed to wear the badge.
wdodd on December 20 at 2:04 p.m.
The Mayor elect Condon should fire all of the officers who saluted in the courtroom for violation of misconduct to the oath they swore too. Then to further getting the rotten apple barrel clean he should severly disipline/ fire those on 505 facebook for their cult gathering LEO’s not believing in the justice system but wearing a badge and trying to enforce juctice is definetly not good!
Then someone should inform the Internal Revenue Service of the funds set up by these cult supporters of KT and find out just where those funds are going too? Since KT won’t be needing this because the taxpayers are flipping this bill..
http://www.spokesman.com/audio/2011/dec/18/doug-clark-jailhouse-cop/
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 2:07 p.m.
I concur, wdodd. Please contact the mayor’s office today. Do your fellow citizens a great service.
Shelala on December 20 at 2:29 p.m.
@squawker
Despite being well-intended, it is not a simple matter of “turning anyone in” or reporting an offensive facebook page. The brass are well aware of the comments, FB page and public opinion. They have chosen not to address the issue. Davida is the only officer that had chosen to venture out of the secure environment and mutual admiration of the KT support page and face detractors head on. It is obvious that I don’t agree with her remarks, her support of KT or her judgement. I question her choices when verbally backed into a corner on a hostile site, which makes me question her ability to make sound decisions on the job, The remainder of officer/ supporters are willing to allow her to take the hits on their behalf, despite sharing the same opinions and support of KT. So much for that thin blue line.The obvious lack of leadership, the loss of public support and mudslinging barbs at the public by the SPD tells me they have lost control. They continually refer to fighting a good fight for KT’s defense, but it is blatantly obvious they lost their fight and KT will soon be in the federal pen.My concern now is if this “cowboy” attitude will follow these officers and how it will effect the community. IMO, the only solution is to rid the department of these officers because they are obviously beyond rehabilitation. They have voluntarily chosen to be the sacrificial lambs of KT’s defense. Perhaps their zeal and attitudes are best suited for another occupation because they certainly not suitable or effective as a law enforcement officer as the name would imply.
Shelala on December 20 at 3:03 p.m.
@squawker, Dodd
Sometimes trying to “report” what you perceive to be wrongdoing can be a lot like writing a letter addressed to Santa Claus at the North Pole, it probably won’t reach the right people. For problems with the facebook page, complain to facebook directly for violations of their TOS. I think removing selected comments from a public page is a violation as well as the obvious non profit solicitaions, etc. For complaints involving the sale of wristbands and collection of donations, the WA Secretary of State for the failure to register as a non profit or charity, the WA Department of Revenue for the failure to pay taxes on sales, The IRS for the failure to seek an exempt status, USPS for intrastate sales via the postal service.The toothless police ombudsman for police violations. The list is almost endless. I am not saying that there are violations or that anything will be acted upon, my point is that it is important to know who to complain to and be effective.
??Riddler?? on December 20 at 3:36 p.m.
?? Shelala ??
?? Can you find another FaceBook that does everything you list (solicit contributions, etc) ??
I can.
?? Would you blindly piss and moan about THAT FaceBook page, if you did not know what cause they were advocating ??
Shelala on December 20 at 4:23 p.m.
@Riddler
Yep, the March of Dimes, as an example, but they are a legitimate non proft, etc. AND they appear to have complied with FB’s TOS. What’s your point? I have questions involving THIS Facebook page. Lame retort.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 4:36 p.m.
Lol. The Riddler. Yep, you’re a joke, alright.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 4:38 p.m.
Fabulous Riddler!
http://www.brandsonsale.com/adult-riddler-costume-014692.html?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google
Davida on December 20 at 4:40 p.m.
If you re-read the posts from yesterday….I did not say I was going to charge anyone with stalking…..My comment saying someone should look up Stalking was in reference to the blonde squawkers comment about reporting “ME” for stalking, for referring to your made up screen names on a public FB page…..again…I have the freedom of speech as all of you do….
misjustice on December 20 at 4:53 p.m.
Oh oh…..she’s baaaaaack!
Shift must have started?
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 4:55 p.m.
You have duties outside of your cop life to respect the law. I think it’s in your code of conduct booklet.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 4:56 p.m.
Yeah now she can just sit in her cruiser and play on her ipod all night long.
Shelala on December 20 at 5:08 p.m.
@Davida
Yes, I went waaay back and read the stalking” posts. I think that Squawker was referring to the verb stalk instead of the charge of stalking. Neither of which is really pertinent because it doesn’t really apply. I think squawker was concerned about having her blog name on a LE site. I frankly don’t care, except I don’t like my blog name so close to KT’s., but I can live with it. The fact that Squawker felt even a bit threatened by being mentioned on a watch list of sorts FB page frequented primarily by LE should tell you the lack of trust by the public.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 5:11 p.m.
Thanks, Shelala. You have it right.
Shelala on December 20 at 5:37 p.m.
@Davida
BTW Yes, you have the same freedom of speech as the rest of the citizenry, but let’s get logical for a minute. If I worked at a restaurant and publicly voiced my disdain for its clientele and the food they serve, how long do you think I would have my job? I would be exercising my freedom of speech all the way to the unemployment line. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending how you look at it, you are presently a police officer. It is a job and not a divine appointment. In accepting that position, you also accepted the rules of conduct for the position. I would never even think about stemming your right to free speech as a fellow citizen. Have at it, but like the restaurant employee, don’t expect to be employed at my restaurant.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 6:03 p.m.
Davida snarked that we were hiding behind false names. God help us if she had our real names. That was her point. It sounds pretty darn threatening to me.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 6:14 p.m.
Spokane policewoman calls out citizen-bloggers on a non-profit website for a convicted felon whom she openly supports.
Great headline, Davida. Congrats.
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 6:31 p.m.
CHIEF’S PREFACE
I am pleased to present to you a best practices policy manual. Lexipol is the leader in law enforcement risk management and policy development. By adopting the Lexipol system you can be assured that our policy manual is current with applicable state and federal law and law enforcement best practices.
Although our manual is considered to be a model policy there is no policy manual that can cover every situation that you may encounter. Good judgment and training must also be exercised.
I believe that all employees should have an enjoyable, safe and productive workplace. In order to provide such an environment, I present to you my workplace expectations and Cardinal Rules.
Workplace Expectations:
• Do your work
• Say what you mean and mean what you say
• Speak and treat each other in a respectful manner
• Stay within the boundaries of reasonableness
• Agree to disagree
• No pot stirring = intentionally causing dissension/disruption
Cardinal Rules:
• No harassing or bullying behavior
• No Lying or any communication intended to deceive, includes lack of forthrightness
• No Insubordination
• No Abuse of Authority
• No Conduct Unbecoming that causes a lack of trust in the department
Anne E. Kirkpatrick
Chief of Police
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
To set forth, for all members of the Spokane Police Department, an articulated code of ethics and a set of ethical canons and standards which encompass and describe expectations of behavior and conduct, both on and off duty.
As a Law Enforcement Officer , my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger , scorn, or ridicule; develop self restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession…law enforcement.
: …
CANON FOUR
Members of the Spokane Police Department will so conduct their public and private lives that they exemplify the high standards of integrity , trust, and morality demanded of a member of the Spokane Police Department.
(continues)
http://www.spokanepolice.org/documents/PolicyManual_website.pdf
wdodd on December 20 at 6:33 p.m.
James Birdsell Remember walter, the trees miss you.
What is this a threat by a cop posted on 505 We Support Convicts website.!?
nslopeofw on December 20 at 6:38 p.m.
Davida-
I feel a bit sorry for you. You did come on here and (using your own name) defend your position. You were then heavily attacked by the ladies over a stalking word, whether intended or not to be a threat. It was like watching a wounded fish in a shark pool.
I absolutely do not believe your position to be right. I believe Karl deserves prison, and anyone who helped him cover up his crime also deserves prison. I also believe that it will take a lot of effort by LE to get the civilian population to trust them again. I believe the sheriff’s dept. to be just as non-trustworthy, and they also need to be investigated by the feds. And, most of all, i believe that the “salute Karl” gang should all be fired.
All that said, for someone here to go to the Karl groupie page and copy/paste the comments to SR. is no worse than copy/pasting comments from here to the Karl groupie site. True, LE being aware of us, and if they were to find our real names, is scary. This stems from you all having the reputation of shoot first ask Q’s later,. but really, posting publicly and copy/pasting from either sight is pretty much the same
Anyway, most of us dont hate LE. We dont trust a lot of your peers, and due to the lack of condemnation by your peers towards both the cover up and the defiant Karl salute, we are reluctant to support you. Once you and your peers quit supporting a convicted felon, and begin supporting the population you are paid to protect, we all can heal.
You all need to understand THIS:. He is a convicted felon. He is an ex-cop. He (while being filmed) violated an innocent mans rights which led to the mans death, he lied about what happened, then he and others covered it up. Then, he “divorced” his wife, signed over all his assets, and continues to live with her. None of this looks good, and most of it looks real bad.If we see you and your peers supporting this, we lose trust.
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:00 p.m.
@Shelala, misjustice, BlondSquaker
I don’t know what you guys are worried about; I’m the one they hate. Just got a call that I’m full of BS because of something I posted on another thread about a mob hit. They were going to try and find a way to make me look nuttier than I really am. I don’t dispute the fact I’m a little nuts…but not quite that nuts.
So here you go KT supporters take your best shot, and there is lots more documentation then these media reports.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19760926&id=vyBOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m-0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6993,4536426
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19760809&id=P_pLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6294,1890589
misjustice on December 20 at 7:16 p.m.
1976, Brian? Wow!
Why are they so scared of such an old fart?
; )
misjustice on December 20 at 7:19 p.m.
Nice moustache, btw!
; )
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 7:20 p.m.
I’m not afraid of her, Brian. I already reported her to the mayor’s office this morning. Plus, I don’t even live in Spokane! My husband and I were considering relocating/retiring to Spokane. NOT NOW!!! I made that abundantly clear to the lady on the phone at the mayor’s office.
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 7:21 p.m.
Macho, macho man, Brian!!!
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:22 p.m.
@misjustice
I don’t know maybe it’s kinda like the 15 mob guys in Canada and the US that took a fall on that caper… they think I might be able to testify to something.
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:25 p.m.
@BlondeSquawker
Yes, I will admit at one time I did wear a “Leisure Suit”. :)
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 7:27 p.m.
Was it a powder-blue leisure suit? Those were hot!
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:31 p.m.
@BlondeSquawker
I knew I was going to take a hit on this…. yes, and all the bling, bling but it was all borrowed.
misjustice on December 20 at 7:33 p.m.
How many polyesters had to die to make that suit?
; ) You rocked it, btw!
@ Blondie, I e-mailed the Mayor’s office complete with attachments containing screen captures; but I think I’ll take a page from your book and follow up with a phone call.
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 7:35 p.m.
Mob-counterfeiting case from 1976 has relevance now, how?
–––––––––––––––––––––
Does anyone know if Rosenthal is still an active duty SPD police officer? I know she was as of early 2009:
http://www.spokanepolice.org/Documents/SPD%20Newsletter/02-2009edition.pdf
Marie Rosenthal Karl is an Officer and Gentleman, and always will be. He is the scapegoat to this tragedy, unfortunately, and is taking the heat for all involved. Anyone who knows him, knows this is NOT justice at all, and the community will suffer for him not being out there doing his job. 100% 505!
12 hours ago · 3
BlondeSquawker on December 20 at 7:36 p.m.
Not a bad idea, Mis.J.
I have a sneaking suspicion that no more cops are going to be posting on the 505 site or here after tomorrow.
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:38 p.m.
@green
Sorry green just sending a message to some folks. You would have to understand the context.
brianrbreen on December 20 at 7:59 p.m.
@green
Let me put it this way. If you have someone that might have something to say, or is doing something that doesn’t comport with your way of thinking and it might make you look bad, the first move, for some, is to try and belittle that person (the messenger) and make them look like a nut case by calling attention to something they said that appears to be real nutty.
My message was, if you are going to try it, as far as myself is concerned, you damn well better get it right. If that makes any sense to you.
greenlibertarian on December 20 at 8:23 p.m.
Ten-four, Brian.
Shelala on December 20 at 9:04 p.m.
I truly wish that KT’s supporters and SPD would realize that the situation of public vs SPD is serious business and not a pissing match. The impact of of a police department out of control has been developing for years and seems that KT and Otto Zehm brought it to a head. The death of an innocent man and the visual evidence of the tape showing KT wailing away with abandon with other officers standing around like they were waiting for their lunch break was too much for even the most complacent citizen to ignore. The subsequent cover up was equally appalling. I am a regular Joe Schmo citizen who has never had any trouble with the law and I don’t think I know of any friend, relative or acquaintance who has either, but I have witnessed a mother wringing her hands thumbing through the local phone book looking for help and afraid to call SPD for assistance for her teenage daughter threatening suicide. She believed an officer would shoot her daughter if she called because she was acting irrational. I have seen a wonderful elderly couple out for a drive quickly make a turn onto a side street because they saw a police car and the older man did it as he explained” for safety reasons” because he felt he was too old to fend off an attack if he were mistakenly blamed for something by an officer. I have seem kids in my neighborhood playing on their skateboards run for the hills because they spotted a police car when they did absolutely nothing wrong. I have seen a lot more and I live in a “nice” area of Spokane. This is not how I choose to live. It’s real. It’s not an opinion. This is your reputation. I make an attempt to speak out and what do I get? My blog name on a LE site as a problem person. You know what? I don’t care where you put it (I could offer a few suggestions, though) , Don’t look for me to be quiet anytime soon.
misjustice on December 21 at 6:57 a.m.
Right on Shelala!
A while back my boyfriend and I were in his truck; it was dark and we were going to his house after having dinner out. He was driving, when a cop rolled up to our left at the intersection we were stopped at. We both tensed up. I asked him, “when was the last time you checked to make sure all of your lights work?”
We were both apprehensive that should his license plate light be out that we would get a pretense stop, and the cop would use that as an excuse to terrorize us.
After the light turned we went through the intersection and the cop then pulled in behind us. It was a tense ride for several blocks until the cop turned off from the street that we were driving on.
Other than a ticket for not using my turn signal, a few years back, I don’t have a “record”. I have passed security screenings by the FBI in order to do gubmint work and other background checks by the WSP to work with victims of violent crimes. I am a Veteran of the US Army and my boyfriend is a retired Marine. Neither of us are perps but we both fear the local po po.
What’s wrong with this picture, officer Zinkgraf?
The reputation of the SPD has been earned by the cops’ actions. It’s not unfairly assigned to the department by a few malcontents that “hate” cops. This cowtown has a problem, and it’s not the citizens that have caused it.
And now, as a part of officer Zinkgraf’s attempt to “mend fences” she posts my blogger name on the WE HEART THE CONVICT THOMPSON FaceBook page. Is the officer “mending fences” or using her position of power to intimidate and silence those that would challenge her? Like Shelala, I WILL NOT BE SILENCED!
If officer Zinkgraf can not, or will not, seperate her private beliefs from her professional duties, and conduct herself at all times within the constraints of the “Code of Conduct” she (and others like her on the force) should be terminated; for conduct unbecoming. Savvy?
And that is exactly the argument that I have and will continue to make to the Mayor’s office, to the DOJ, to the SPD, and on public forums.
BlondeSquawker on December 21 at 9:09 a.m.
Bravo, Ms. J!
Ron_the_Cop on December 21 at 9:36 a.m.
Ms. Justy,
For those who want to express their opinions and concerns one way or another here is a list of addresses.
Here are my suggestions -
1. Demand that the US Attorney’s Office expand its current criminal investigation in the Zehm case to include any who were complicit and aided and or abetted in the cover-up and to prosecute for obstruction of justice.
2. Demand that the US DOJ initiate a pattern and practice investigation of SPD
3. Demand of the County Commissioners require all OIS/OIDs to be reviewed by an inquest panel as Brian and others have discussed in previous threads.
Write to the US Attorney’s Office re expanding the Zehm criminal investigation:
Tim Durkin, Assistant U. S. Attorney -EDWA
300 United States Courthouse
P.O. Box 1494
Spokane, Washington 99210-1494
and to the US DOJ that has the authority to order a pattern and practice investigation of SPD and related LE entities:
Mr. Thomas F. Perez
Assistant Attorney General
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Civil Rights Division
Criminal Section - PHB
Washington, DC 20530
If you have concerns of the actions of certain SPD officers - the salute by members of the SPD in federal court and or posts on the 505 FB site, you can officially complain to SPD Ombudsman Tim Burns. There are SPD policies these officer may have violated that they have accepted as a condition of their employment:
Office of Police Ombudsman
The Old City Hall Building
221 N. Wall Street, Suite 238
Spokane, Washington 99201
(509) 625-6742
SPDombudsman@spokanecity.org
Fax (509) 625-6748
County Commissioners:
Board of County Commissioners
Spokane County Courthouse
1116 West Broadway Ave
Spokane, WA 99260
And lastly here’s an email address for Mayor-Elect Dave Condon. I don’t have a City address for him yet:
david@condonformayor.com
Of course you can write Mayor Verner too for now at:
Mayor@spokanecity.org
MVerner@spokanecity.org
Please share with your social networks - friends and relatives, as this is how we can regain control of our local government that has lost its way.
The only way evil can prevail is if good people do nothing!
You are not alone. WE THE PEOPLE chose who will govern and it is WE THE PEOPLE who can hold them accountable when they fail to serve us.
misjustice on December 21 at 10:08 a.m.
@ Ron, thanks for the additional information; this ain’t over!
The_Seer on December 21 at 10:53 a.m.
brian: Thanks for the links to your stint at a wise guy. You’ve got some brass ones to bring that up again, I’d have gone into relocation.
brianrbreen on December 21 at 11:34 a.m.
@greenlibertarian
Please forgive me, again. But sometimes things just have to be said so others that don’t necessarily post here can gain perspective.
This is cut and pasted from an email I received regarding a self initiated project I’m involved with and it may provide some context with respect to the “attitude” being discussed in this thread. Prior to receiving this email I came into possession of documents that led me to believe that SPD/City leadership were so “unequivocally” supportive of KT that they allowed him to attend his trial and hearings on my dime. A statement in the email below regarding the “incorrectly entered” time showing KT at full pay between October 17 through November 8 calls to question whether or not a legitimate mistake was made or, if certain actions had not been taken by citizens he would have left the department having received full payment for his court appearances. At this point it is difficult to tell whether or not that actually did happen.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/23/in-brief-leave-nets-thompson-22000/
My point is this, one has to ask if the attitude and actions demonstrated by SOME officers has been exacerbated by a leadership structure that has allowed them do what they want, act the way they want, and without fear of any repercussions. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Hopefully at some point in time people will begin to realize that most citizens don’t hate cops, and most aren’t motivated by some self-serving desire other then to live in a community that respects their police department.
Good afternoon Mr. Breen:
This is to follow up my email to you dated November 14, and to provide you with an update regarding the status of your November 7, 2011 public records request.
Payroll records responsive to your request have been compiled by the City’s Accounting Department from available data held in the City’s HRS database, and are available for review in the City Clerk’s Office, Fifth Floor of City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard. Upon your review of the payroll records, we would like to note for your information that Karl Thompson’s time was incorrectly entered into the HRS system as regular hours from October 17 through November 8; the hours should have been entered as vacation time. To the best of our knowledge, corrections were made in the subsequent pay period. In further relation to the payroll records, attached is an Excel spreadsheet listing the various compensation codes (“compn code”) used in the computation of the Police Department payroll.
Also attached in response to your request is a Telestaff roster which shows hours worked for Police Department employees on November 4, 2011.
Ten-four, green
brianrbreen on December 21 at 11:44 a.m.
@The_Seer
You have to look at it this way. The two large is a lot less than reconstructive knee surgery.
Shelala on December 21 at 12:22 p.m.
@Brian
Somewhere in these posts I read that KT’s travel expenses, lodging, etc. during trial were paid from the sale proceeds of the wristband sales and donations. Of course, I don’t know because no disclosure has been made about these funds.Maybe they paid for a new power suit and a coif for the personal appearance.
brianrbreen on December 21 at 12:33 p.m.
@Shelala
Questions like yours should have been asked and answered at 1100 W. Mallon.
Shelala on December 21 at 12:44 p.m.
@Brian
The silence is deafening. Maybe the city paid em, then the fund paid em and then he used vacation pay (or regular pay). Maybe aliens landed and paid em.
brianrbreen on December 21 at 12:46 p.m.
@Shelala
The “Alien” theory might work for some. :)
Shelala on December 21 at 12:51 p.m.
@Brian
Just as good as any other other theory until I learn otherwise
Shelala on December 21 at 1:04 p.m.
@Brian
Don’t discount that alien theory. Some people claim to have seen them and made contact - just like those elusive “good cops” I hear about. I come in peace.
brianrbreen on December 21 at 1:07 p.m.
@Shelala
Maybe it is just me but I’m having some real difficulty trying to figure out how with the City’s first Criminal CRV against an SPD Officer and all the media attention someone could have “mistakenly” given him full pay for his CRIMINAL court appearances. Now I would think even if he had been put on paid administrative leave, which he wasn’t except for a very short period of time, vacation or comp time would have been in order for all those appearances… but whom am I, except for the guy paying for it.
You are probably right must have been aliens.
Ron_the_Cop on December 21 at 1:25 p.m.
@Brian, Shelala and Ms. Justy:
Might I suggest a read of Rich Magney LTE in today’s paper:
Doug Clark’s “Voters just aren’t Tuckered out yet” (Dec. 6) brings up some interesting and questionable points.
I agree the voters were a bit slow on the uptake, but like Watergate it was part of County Prosecutor Steve Tucker’s plan to keep the trash hidden from the uninformed electorate. The Yakima jury provided the discovery of cover-up and awakened the conscience of our community.
Now we know that Tucker should have been pursuing charges and convictions in the Zehm case. Prosecution of felonies in the city is the exclusive responsibility of the county prosecutor. Refusing to call in an outside prosecutor gave cover to Mayor Mary Verner, police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, City Attorney Howard Delaney and Assistant City Attorney Rocky Treppiedi.
Any reasonable person would suspect a crime after it was determined that Otto Zehm’s death was a homicide. Tucker prevented, hindered and delayed prosecution. Our public humiliation continues because an innocent man was put to death by the people who were supposed to protect him.
Tucker may not be a werewolf, but his disregard for the public safety, the public trust and human decency is wicked.
Rich Magney
Shelala on December 21 at 1:27 p.m.
@Brian
Heck, I am surprised that we aren’t paying disability claims for certain officers because of the emotional devastation KT’s trial and conviction has caused them. If you recall, some could barely make it through their shift through the sadness. sigh
Shelala on December 21 at 1:29 p.m.
@Ron
One word…aliens.
wdodd on December 21 at 1:52 p.m.
It appears as tho the Seattle Police continue to not learn by their mistakes! Must see video by the Seattle Post Intelliegencer.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Video-shows-cops-mocking-critically-injured-man-2414118.php
GDodd on December 21 at 6:03 p.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReQsRgQXgQY when the walls come down.
misjustice on December 21 at 6:17 p.m.
@ GDodd
And the walls came down
All the way to hell
Never saw them when they’re standing
Never saw them when they fell
generallyspeaking on December 21 at 6:51 p.m.
The Zehm family would be disgusted with all of you…..
misjustice on December 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Funny JustmeO9, I think that they would be disgusted with cops that continue to demonstrate that they have zero contrition for the horrible way their department handled their interaction with their loved one, and the repeated lies, and the cover-up, and the continued chest thumping/saluting, and general love fest they engage in over a two time CONVICTED LOSER!
But that’s just me…not to be confused with Justme09…
brianrbreen on December 21 at 7:03 p.m.
@Misjustice
Don’t flag…. it makes it easier. The other one wasn’t that bad really.
misjustice on December 21 at 7:09 p.m.
I won’t, and I didn’t on the other page…I didn’t even get to read it…dang it!
; )
brianrbreen on December 21 at 7:14 p.m.
@Misjustice
It was funny!
BlondeSquawker on December 21 at 8:59 p.m.
yes, generallyspeaking, I’m sure they are disgusted with the the KT supporters here. Derp.
BlondeSquawker on December 21 at 9:02 p.m.
How many days til KT is sentenced? Should we start the countdown now?
misjustice on December 23 at 9:28 p.m.
RE: misjustice on December 20 at 9:27 a.m.
That post is by Gramma/Justmeagain; not by me, the original and ONLY misjustice…she stole my thread identity/name to try and create a little trouble…and is now banned.