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November 3, 2011 in City
Spokane police officer convicted of excessive force, lying
Prosecutors to seek six to eight years; defense promises ‘to keep fighting’
“I’m really happy justice was served,” said Ed Byrnes, second from left, who brought his sons James, 9, far left, and Max, 12, to a Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane candlelight vigil held in remembrance of Otto Zehm on Wednesday in front of Spokane City Hall.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
YAKIMA – His jaw quivering at times, Karl F. Thompson Jr. stared straight ahead Wednesday, showing nothing but a stern look as juror after juror confirmed the guilty verdicts they’d reached against him.
In the gallery, a supporter quietly wept.
Thompson, the decorated Spokane police officer whose department continued to rally around him as troubling questions mounted over the fatal 2006 encounter with Otto Zehm, had just been convicted of needlessly beating the unarmed janitor and lying to cover it up.
He marched out of the courtroom, eyes fixed forward, refusing multiple requests for comment. At Spokane City Hall, paperwork terminating his employment as a law enforcement officer already was being prepared. Today, a U.S. magistrate will consider a prosecution request to take him into custody while awaiting sentencing.
“It’s not something we take any joy in,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Durkin, the federal prosecutor who oversaw much of the trial preparations, said of the conviction. “But it’s a very important case and we still have a lot of work to do.”
Thompson’s defense attorney, Carl Oreskovich, said the verdicts left his client “shocked and stunned.”
“We believe Officer Thompson is an innocent man,” Oreskovich said outside the federal courthouse. “We are going to keep fighting for him. This is a devastating day for him and us.”
Jurors declined comment as they left the federal courthouse. One said they had decided as a group to decline post-verdict interviews.
The verdicts Wednesday brought to a close one chapter in the divisive community debate over police training and accountability that the Zehm tragedy, and Spokane City Hall’s insistence on blaming Zehm for his own demise, had triggered. But with a civil lawsuit against the city for its handling of the case still pending, a federal investigation into at least one other Spokane police officer still under way, and intensifying calls for independent police oversight and accountability, a new chapter begins.
“It’s shocking to see a police officer who we trust to protect us being convicted of this crime, regardless of how you see the case,” said Spokane attorney Chris Bugbee, who represents two other Spokane police officers who responded to the convenience store that night. “I’m sad for the community but I’m glad it has been resolved one way or the other.”
Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said Wednesday she’s hoping the verdict will enable the community to finally begin healing.
Kirkpatrick planned to attend each of the department’s shift roll calls over the next day to discuss the case and its outcome with officers.
“We’re going to move forward,” she said, “and we’ll let the healing process take its natural course.”
Spokane Mayor Mary Verner, who previously had said she didn’t believe any crimes had been committed, also said Wednesday she’s hoping the community will begin to heal.
“This tragedy has torn us apart,” Verner said. “As we reach closure I hope that we’ll think first and foremost of the people whose lives were changed on that day in 2006 and that we will rally together as a community.”
Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker, who declined to review the case because of the federal investigation, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Zehm, who would have turned 42 on Monday, was beaten by police, shocked with Tasers and left hog-tied on the floor of a Zip Trip convenience store March 18, 2006, after being mistakenly identified as a theft suspect. He died two days later without regaining consciousness.
Thompson, now 64, was the first officer on the scene and claimed Zehm assaulted him. Store security videos contradicted Thompson’s version of the encounter, but Spokane police detectives still cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing and Spokane City Hall continued to back his version of events even as evidence mounted to the contrary.
The FBI later opened its own investigation, leading to grand jury indictments against Thompson in 2009 on charges of excessive force and lying to investigators. Spokane City Hall continued to back Thompson’s version of events, even after learning that Assistant Chief Jim Nicks told federal investigators that Thompson had violated department policy in the encounter with Zehm.
Nicks’ conclusions, which contradicted what he told reporters at the time of the incident, were ruled inadmissible at Thompson’s federal trial. Jurors also had been barred from learning that Zehm was innocent when Thompson confronted him.
The jury, however, deliberated 10 hours over three days following a complex trial that began its fourth week on Monday. They convicted Thompson of depriving Zehm of his civil rights through unreasonable force and of obstructing justice by lying to investigators.
Prosecutors are expected to seek a six- to eight-year prison term for Thompson at sentencing, which likely will be scheduled for January.
Spokane lawyer Breann Beggs said Zehm’s mother, Ann Zehm, felt relief Wednesday as the guilty verdicts were announced.
“I spoke with Ann … and she said she needed a day to get her thoughts together of what she really thought, but all along she has not spoken as far as punishment, really just about accountability and change,” said Beggs, one of the lawyers representing the family in a civil suit against the city. “This started out, unfortunately, as kind of a regular case because people with mental illness die often in Spokane when they interact with law enforcement, but it’s turned into … a symbol for what could be changed and what could be better.”
Beggs took issue with Thompson’s defense arguments that he was just following departmental policy.
If that is the case, Beggs said, “t’s time to change policies on use of force, especially with regard to the mentally ill.”
Zehm’s cousin, Dale Zehm, said it’s important to the family to know that the mistreatment Otto suffered won’t be ignored.
“We now hope for a conclusion to the civil case, and hope for real healing in the community and a change in City Hall and how officers are trained and supervised,” Dale Zehm said outside the U.S. Courthouse in Spokane, where a live video feed from the Yakima courtroom was broadcast each day.
Union leaders representing Spokane’s police officers declined comment.
On social media, though, many of the city’s officers expressed their shock, sadness and hopes that an appeal will overturn Wednesday’s verdict.
“We believe in you Karl and are devastated! You are well loved and we support you!” Officer Erin Blessing posted on the We Support Karl Thompson Facebook page.
U.S. Attorney Mike Ormsby, whose office handled the prosecution, said the conviction is a critical step in the search for truth about what happened that night but that it’s also important to remember the service that law enforcement provides.
“Many may be tempted to read messages into this verdict that I would suggest not be done,” said Ormsby, whose legal team openly blamed a departmental coverup for trying to shield Thompson from accountability for his actions. “This case was about a single police officer and what he did on one evening and one situation and the steps that he later took to impede and impact the investigation. This is not an indictment of our entire police department and it should not be an excuse for any of us to ignore the good work that our police officers do every day and every night in our community to protect us.”
Jonathan Brunt, Kevin Graman and Jody Lawrence-Turner contributed to this report.
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
brianrbreen on November 03 at 3:01 a.m.
Isn’t it about time people stopped using the term ”tragedy” and started using the correct term “crime”? It was a crime Ms Mayor, a crime, nothing more and nothing less!
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 4:48 a.m.
I do feel sorry for Ofc. Thompson because of his many years of service but in this case he “cowboyed this call.” His own bad tactics created this emergency that got out of control. This case should have been filed as a negligent homicide/manslaughter under state law. The burden of proof is much less - reckless disregard. This was clearly evident by bad police practice/tactics - positional asphyxia compounded by the nonstandard application of the face mask. I don’t have an issue with the gang tackle of Zehm by the other officers that arrived to assist but once Zehm was restrained they should have rolled him on his side, monitored his vital signs and for heaven’s sake DON’T put on the mask. Ofc. Thompson did himself no favors by lying to conceal his mistakes.
If the City had quickly acknowledged that mistakes were made, apologized to the family, changed policy did re-training this may have gone away with no criminal charges ever being filed. The cover-up by high ranking members of SPD with a complicit City Atty’s Office and Office of the Mayor is much worse than the tragic incident itself. Heads should roll of any who were complicit and or aided/abetted in this cover-up. I’m sure their are other folks on the fed’s radar. I would be watching for jumpers from the upper floors of City Hall.
BTW was the Mayor telling another lie? From the Inlander’s coverage:
http://www.inlander.com/spokane/blog-4379-mayor-police-chief-react-to-thompson-verdict.html
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 5:00 a.m.
How true when Asst. US Atty Tim Durkin said they had no joy in winning this case and had a lot more to do.
I court watched several times in Spokane and it’s obvious to me these officers have never been held to this level of scrutiny before in Tucker’s bush league where everyone CYAs each other. The general aw shucks attitude and that we are the professionals and we know best clearly showed. They are now playing in the major leagues. It’s clear they don’t like this - Ofc. Moses for one did himself no favors as he was clearly uncooperative/argumentative on the stand on direct from the US Attorney’s Office while his memory suddenly improved considerably on redirect from the defense without having to pull teeth.
While there are many fine men and women doing a very difficult job day in day out at SPD, it’s apparent they have been abandoned by SPD’s police leadership. This failure of leadership has been condoned and tolerated if not actively sanctioned by the Office of the City Attorney and the Mayor. The City Council is clueless and spineless and cowers in fear at the of the mention of the name of the Spokane Police Guild as counseled by the City Attorney’s Office of violating the Guild’s union contract.
And of all it’s County Prosecutor Steve Tucker the most who has abdicated his duty and responsibility to WE THE PEOPLE in not holding accountable local law enforcement for its lapses. While some of these officer involved shootings and deaths may not be criminal in the nature, their investigations in some have been very lacking or in the Zehm case an active cover-up was underway. Tucker could have but didn’t raise the professional bar of these OIS/OID investigations.
Who runs this City?
For more of my commentary see my blog:
http://tinyurl.com/3jah3bx
JBlim on November 03 at 5:29 a.m.
And yet, cops are like that in every city. Political opportunists want to make it the mayor’s fault in the middle of an election.
sean96 on November 03 at 6:21 a.m.
Great SR cover, taping it to my car window, how do you like that pigs.
sean96 on November 03 at 6:21 a.m.
Didn’t Nazi’s murder the Mentally ill too Karl?
jddavis on November 03 at 6:35 a.m.
JBlim—I hear you. If the good mayor would have taken action to “correct” the SPD during her term, she would be in a lot better favor with the citizens she works for. By essentially looking the olther way, she opened herself up to the political circus.
Truthbtold on November 03 at 6:49 a.m.
In my opinion justice has been done…..
Not all police are bad, they put their butts on the line everyday for us, so lets not lump them all together,
The feds would NOT have had to get involved and clean up this mess, if STEVE TUCKER would have done his job…..SO let’s NOT forget that….
Rest in peace Otto, my prayers are with your family.
philipgregory on November 03 at 6:59 a.m.
Now we’ll see what the judge decides on sentencing.
He has already given Thompson special privilege by not immediately putting him in jail as would any other person convicted of a violent felony.
The whole judicial system in Spokane and Washington state is tainted; from legislatures to judges to cops. They have swung over to excessively authoritarian and tend to disregard the rights and concerns of the people they are supposed to serve.
Truthhurts on November 03 at 7:07 a.m.
Mayor Verner, there can be no “closure” until the cover-up is fully prosecuted — perhaps all the way to you.
The cover-up was much, much worse than Thompson’s crime.
The entire cover-up must be prosecuted, and YOU should be out front saying so, not clucking about premature “closure.”
brianrbreen on November 03 at 7:12 a.m.
@ShannonSullivan
You’re right, but what would you suggest to the Mayor about dealing with the evidence of criminal conduct at the state level. Or should we just let it slide. Hope everyone forgets and heals, and appoint a commission headed by a GU Law School professor, facilitated by Tim burns to look into things, knowing full well that that methodology could and likely would hurt any subsequent criminal investigation. I suppose she and others would like it all to be forgotten now that one real verdict is in.
SpokyDaBear on November 03 at 7:15 a.m.
Ha, Ha, Hah!
Thompson is going to jail.
505 is a big time loser.
Finally, you are going to jail for all the BS you inflicted on the public while hiding behind your badge.
Bye! Bye!
Thompson…
jfoley on November 03 at 7:20 a.m.
I’m sure that officer Thompson did a lot of good work in his day. It’s too bad that he didn’t quit before becoming so hardened.
Another interesting part of this saga is how does a $73K /year cop afford a $675K home in Hayden?
hunternomore on November 03 at 7:25 a.m.
Initially this verdict sounds good. Then you hear the U.S. Attorney tell everyone how they should think about this one bad apple even though everyone knows that the city attorney, the county prosecutor, the police detectives, etc. Etc were all colluding in this case. Shame on you Mr. Ormsby, and to think you went to Gonzaga. Spokane badly needs a house cleaning.
mtorres55 on November 03 at 7:27 a.m.
mtorres55 on November 03 at 7:25 a.m.
We certainly celebrate this piece of Justice, but justice is not yet fully served in this case:
- there were several other police who sat or knelt on Otto’s back, contributing to his suffocation after Thompson and others beat the daylights out of him. They haven’t been charged yet.
- testimony by several police officials said everything Thompson was within departmental policy. We have to pressure the City to ensure those policies are changed.
- several Police officials also lied in this investigation, obstructed justice, and possibly committed perjury during the trial. This needs to be investigated.
- J. Edgar Treppeidi remains in office. His infamous statement about Otto causing his own death by his resistance to that surprise and vicious beating must be re-visited. This statement was made AFTER J. Edgar had seen the video.
His obvious hold on City officials must be investigated. This man is a menace to the city and to the public - just google his history here.
And last but NOT least, we, the public, need to start nearly from square one to establish an effective, credible civilian ombudsman position with independent investigative and reporting authority. You can be sure that is not going to come out of any negotiations with the Police Guild, which is the city’s plan at this point.
There IS a group working hard for this - and much left to do!
Lewis on November 03 at 7:41 a.m.
U.S. Attorney isn’t going to spook the other officers involved that is why he said there is only one bad apple. In their investigations they turned up many bad apples.
Including Rocky the two faced city attorney we all know he will be going down too.
Step one is over there are many steps to follow but the big one showing the SPD is not trustful has been proven in a court of law, i think the next few months will be interesting.
rest in peace Otto we love you!
Slightlyworried on November 03 at 8:01 a.m.
“Spokane County Prosecutor Steve Tucker, who declined to review the case because of the federal investigation, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.”
Didn’t anybody check Downriver Golf Course or The Globe Tavern on Division? It’s not very complicated to find Tucker. Looking around the Courthouse during normal business hours is a waste of time.
Albert on November 03 at 8:09 a.m.
6-8 years for killing Otto? That’s all?
selkirk on November 03 at 8:13 a.m.
“This tragedy has torn us apart,” Verner said. “As we reach closure I hope that we’ll think first and foremost of the people whose lives were changed on that day in 2006 and that we will rally together as a community.”
Mayor Verner, we HAVE been rallying as a community, calling for accountability from you and your office. The TRAGEDY is that you and your office stood behind this convicted felon, even after seeing the same video the jurors convicted him on.
What “closure” are you referring too? The Feds have made it clear that they are still investigating this crime. Closure will come only once they have convicted all others implicit in this crime AND cover up.
They found him GUILTY, yet because of your insistence on trusting Treppiedi, you continued to support Klubber. You should be ashamed of your actions (non-actions) and resign as you have consistently demonstrated that you are unable to effectively lead our community.
Mayor Verner, you are out of touch with your constituents and hopefully, unlike the last election that left Golf Pro/Semi retired/Drink another drink Tucker in office, they will vote you out.
Albert on November 03 at 8:36 a.m.
A very powerful and somewhat disturbing article is also on Google news from the LA Times. It makes Spokcomptom look like a Nazi state:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/11/police-beating-excessive-force-thompson-zehm-spokane.html
therailroader on November 03 at 8:45 a.m.
No one wins in this case ~ I feel bad for the officer for he has put his own life on the line in the name of public service. The SPD better wake up & realize their Nazi goon tactics will no longer be tolerated. Any one of us could have been Otto Yelm and would have been treated in the exact same way. I’m glad the general public now has tools like cameras and cell phones to capture outrageous police behavior. The police better learn to tell the truth themselves & not to cover up & lie. This is not the 1st time nor the last that the police have used unreasonable force ~ I wish they would learn from their lessons and adjust accordingly. It’s a sad day for Spokane for Mr. Zelm is still dead and a police officer has been convicted of killing an innocent person. It didn’t have to happen this way if the police force fessed up to overzealous behavior.
jeanripley on November 03 at 8:46 a.m.
He faces 10 years for one count and 20 years for the other count but the prosecution will seek 6-8 years!!! With that he will serve less than 2 for brutally beating a man and ulitmately causing his death! Come on prosecutors, go for the MAX!!!
wdodd on November 03 at 8:50 a.m.
I can see now that damage control is being played out at the SPD, city attorneys office, and the mayor. They have every right to be worried now because the feds are not done with them. Can we say Indictments!??. I feel all other cases that have been swepted under the rug or whitewashed be brought up for review again before a public inquest panel.
Nows the time for all departments to come clean!! If the mayor wants to make it right for the citizens,she needs to fire Rocky and the other top brass involved in the cover up and step down herself.
misjustice on November 03 at 8:54 a.m.
Just a bunch of lynchmen with a mob mentality of getting rid of anyone in authority.
The verdict will be overturned in appeal, as it should be.
The_Seer on November 03 at 9:04 a.m.
Thompson should have been led from the courthouse in handcuffs. He received special treatment.
Orescovich is off our dime in a matter of weeks. Karl can use public defenders at the federal level for his appeal.
justgrandmaagain: The 9th circuit won’t even hear the appeal. They’ll watch the video and let Thompson rot. Eight years in Club Fed is a vacation compared to what Thompson should have received in state proceedings.
ShannonSullivan: Why don’t you get a recall effort for Tucker going? Or are your “civic responsibilities” only reserved for homosexuals?
This is the first of many dominos to topple. I expect up to half a dozen more indictments, convictions, sentencings, appeals, et. al.
Kirkpatrick’s attempt to portray Thompson’s conviction as “sad” and “unfortunate” is over the top hubris. Not one person I’ve spoke with about his verdict was saddened or feeling less fortunate than they were the day before. Yet we all need to understand this in only the first step towards holding the SPD, the SCSO, City Hall and the County accountable and remind them in the end they answer to us.
Yesterday was a good day in Spokane.
brianrbreen on November 03 at 9:10 a.m.
@JustMeAgain
I’m just curious as to what you think some of the appeal points might be.
D Statler on November 03 at 9:14 a.m.
Lets hope that this lesson travels thru the Valley Police Department as well. The third shot in the Dodd shooting was MURDER! This mentallity and behavior needs to be immediately reviewed and changed. I remember when Protect and Serve meant something in Spokane. Lets hope Ozzie can man up and display the leadership I voted him in for. I too believe anybody involved in the Zehm coverup should be prosecuted. Is there a reason that Thompson can not be tried in local courts as well? (besides TUCKER) Lots more work to do. I am more than willing to assist if I can.
LAMom on November 03 at 9:16 a.m.
505- No stands for the number of months that Killer karl will spend in Jail. No it is time to go after Officer McIntyre for perjury and obstruction of justice.
SpokyDaBear on November 03 at 9:18 a.m.
All the folks feeling sorry for this “rogue” cop, screw you.
This guy took an oath as a public service to protect and defend the public.
This is not Russia.
If he didn’t like his job, he could have quit and found another line of work.
He not only liked his job, he loved it and the power he could use on helpless people.
Look folks, the only reason he got caught this one time is because they had cameras. No cameras = no conviction.
Don’t tell me this was the one and only time in his life that he abused his powers. It don’t work that way.
How many other incidents did he pull his power trip on prior to this? It has to be many. But there were no cameras and no Feds to come in seeking justice.
A bad cop like this only gets away with this stuff if he works in a corrupt organization. The verdict shows the SPD is corrupt from the bottom to the top. SPD leadership saw the video tape but still proclaim lies.
Wake up people!
Time to put cameras on all Spokane cops.
dataxman on November 03 at 9:26 a.m.
Next time you make a mistake - say speed, run a red light, fail to yield - tell the cop that you just have been driving for years and usually handle things correctly. See if you will get a pass. That is basically the attitude of the SPD - convicted felon Thompson had years of exemplary service but just made a mistake.
See if they let you off with a warning…
UTWY32 on November 03 at 9:34 a.m.
I think it is time to look at Spokane as a whole. This city itself is bush league. All you people ever do is complain about the Mayor, the Police Chief, the DA, etc etc. It has been going on here the last decade-apparently noone is going to ever be good enough. Why would anyone want to be Police Chief, Mayor or DA in this town??To get torn apart??Doug Clark and all the other “journalists” in this town are a joke as well. The media is embarrassing here.
I believe in the justice system, so I will live with the verdict. I think Thompson was a good cop for many years and made a bad decision. All the cop haters need to make sure they dont call for help when they are in need though, and Doug Clark should be next as far as I am concerned. What is the value of his daily contribution? Nothing-Get a real job.
Cmon people, your city has been in the ditch for the last decade. You dont give your leaders a snowballs chance. You ran out Chertok, Bradgon and now Kirkpatrick is smart enough to get out of here. You ran out Hession, and most of you are trying to run out vernor. You all think Tucker is awful, so what exactly do you want? Who is good enough for the people of Spokane? Maybe its time to realize that politics and law enforcement leadership is a tough job, all those complaining couldnt even begin to attempt it. Maybe its time to realize the citizens of this city ARE the problem. All you losers who get in trouble with the police deserve what you get. I want a police force who deals with crime aggressively. I dont have problems with them because I stay out of trouble. Spokane still has a lot of growing up to do. What a mess this city is…
Truthhurts on November 03 at 9:41 a.m.
Obviously, Mike Ormsby is new in his office, and most of this work was prepared before he became U.S. Attorney.
His integrity will recover from RiverPark Square if he pursues the cover-up all the way down to the truth.
If he wraps up short if that, then his place in Spokane history will be dark indeed.
Very few people get a chance at rehabilitation by their own actions, but Mr. Ormsby now has that chance.
Will some local novelist please begin to write this story?
THE_SHEIKH on November 03 at 9:46 a.m.
Remember Otto Zehm!
Many supporters of Officer Thompson are placing his badge number on their Facebook page, I ask all those who support Otto Zehm to remember him by placing “OTTO” in their Facebook page.
Doug Clark had handed it out buttons in the past and I am asking him to support this.
No political rhetoric here, choosing of sides, or pointing fingers. Just asking for all those who are speaking out to back up their words with support for OTTO ZEHM!
Thank you,
THE SHEIKH
Hunterman on November 03 at 9:55 a.m.
Albert- Thanks for the link to the Los Angeles Times story on this. It said Klubber Karl was one of several LA officers who moved to the Northern Idaho area after a famous round of police problems in LA. So they had a group of problem cops move up here and this is one of the results. I wonder if it was these cops who rallied around Thompsen?
The_Seer on November 03 at 9:59 a.m.
truthhurts: I began a documentary film about this subject nearly four years ago. You can see a rough cut opening sequence at the Facebook page of my company, In One Eye and Out the Other Productions.
terrymr on November 03 at 10:14 a.m.
So were back to the usual threats to withdraw police service from those who criticize the department for the killing of an innocent man and the ensuing coverup. Well that’s real grown up and professional isn’t it ?
Yes people make mistakes - but nobody else get’s a pass on their mistakes either.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on November 03 at 10:22 a.m.
Frank Malone for Prosecutor…. :)) we tried…
lots and lots of us worked very hard to get Mr Tucker out of office… and in my opinion the fine folks of Spokane voted against their own best interests..in spite of the Pillory that Tucker endured by his Republican Opponents in the Primary… go figure…
Thanks Shannon… best john
spnelson on November 03 at 10:31 a.m.
Have fun picking up the soap, Klubber- you SOB. Hopefully Verner will be joining you soon. It is just too bad that the trial had to moved to Yakima to get a legitimate verdict. To Mary and Klubber- guess you thought you could violate the law and do whatever you please. You guessed wrong. Verner has issued a predictable statement about how we all need to “come together” and “heal” and all that rot. Well Mary, hopefully next week. the healing will start with you being removed from office.
de3 on November 03 at 10:35 a.m.
I did not believe that reference to the LAPD and North Idaho, someone linked above, until I read this,
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-14/local/me-3280_1_aryan-nations
How much of the area’s police forces are ex LAPD?
brianrbreen on November 03 at 10:39 a.m.
@UTWY32
Actually Hession ran Bragdon out. I thought Bragdon was making some head way cleaning up the mess, remember when he fired Sgt Jerry Hensley and the city reached an agreement to reinstate Hensley at the rank of Detective.
You got to be kidding about Chertok, you can’t be serious? Bill Pupo’s hire, come on. Kirkpatrick never should have been here in the first place.
I actually love good cops and I pretty much stay out of trouble at least with the law. Maybe I am one of the problems you refer to, but, like Doug Clark I was born here, grew up, here and really would like to see a good and well respected police department, as a matter of fact I worked here for about 26 years putting up with these terrible hooligans you refer to. If the citizenry here in Spokane is so bad one might consider a lateral transfer and head for somewhere that the citizens don’t give a crap. I could provide the names of several places I’ve had cases where the citizens, could really care less if you know anyone interested.
Funny thing I was having a discussion with a fairly recently retired cop today we were talking about old IA cases and the like and of course the verdict. You know what, not one mention of how rotten the citizens we served were. The same is true of the discussions I’ve had with a few of the folks on the job today. I think the Chief said it was time for some reflection, I might just suggest that a lot of that reflection should be self-reflection, and not trying to blame things on others, like the citizens, the out of control feds, or Otto Zehm, none of that seemed to have worked.
mtorres55 on November 03 at 10:40 a.m.
Don’t know what the Feds’ process is for continuing this investigation, but I think our community needs to put pressure on them to see this through: the other police who sat or kneeled on Otto Zehm and suffocated him while and after they beat him, and the police officials who changed witness stories, eliminated witness stories, lied under oath.
AND I’d like to see an investigation into Rocky “J. Edgar” Treppeidi’s role in all this. We already know it was unethical, and even the Feds said that. Was it illegal? If so, he needs to be prosecuted - he, too, should have his day in court.
Anyone have the phone numbers, addresses and/or email addresses for the appropriate recipients of our call for full Justice?
brianrbreen on November 03 at 10:52 a.m.
@UTWY32
I should point out I did go to a lot better schools then Doug Clark did.
wdodd on November 03 at 10:53 a.m.
Well Ozzie were still waiting over a year for answers in the so called justified shooting of my brother.Quentin Dodd. Are you going to respond or are we just going to have too take this to the media as well!!?
http:// spokanehomicide.20m.com
LostInWyoming on November 03 at 10:54 a.m.
Karl F. Thompson Jr. Should have thought of the consequences of his actions the night he beat poor helpless,confused Otto ! A man had his life taken away by you Karl F. Thompson Jr! It’s time to pay your due’s.Man up and face the music.
BlondeSquawker on November 03 at 10:59 a.m.
UTWY32, I think it’s time to look at your mouth as a hole.
Truthhurts on November 03 at 11:13 a.m.
To TheSeer: thanks!
DON’T COVER-UP THE COVER-UP.
BlondeSquawker on November 03 at 11:19 a.m.
mtorres55, here’s a start:
JAMES A. MC DEVITT
United States Attorney - EDWA
Timothy M. Durkin
Assistant United States Attorney
Post Office Box 1494
Spokane, WA 99210-1494
Telephone: (509) 353-2767
Victor Boutros, Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division – Criminal Section
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tel. (202) 514-3204
misjustice on November 03 at 11:29 a.m.
UTWY32 speaks so much truth & the crybabies of this town can’t stand the truth!! Thank you UT for speaking out & telling those that were “born” here that their local mentality is a joke to those from other areas!!!
There is an old saying that fits well for the people born here that states, “I was born & raised here. I have no desire to live anywhere else. I have no desire to hear truths when I see them & I have absolutely no ambitions.” That’s what I hear from these posters.
SpokyDaBear on November 03 at 11:37 a.m.
daTaxMan… since when does a Spokane Police Officer let anyone off with just a warning….
They always give out tickets…
So what you are saying is going five miles over the speed limit is the same as beating an innocent man in the head and then lying about it…
You sure must be confused about your morals…
Abuse of power is abuse of power…
And you know it…
Quit hiding behind your badge..
brianrbreen on November 03 at 11:41 a.m.
Marianne
My best guess is the feds won’t go beyond Sandra McIntyre. However the local office will take a good look at how the city reacts to the verdict and the other issues involved in the case. Boutros will give his superiors in DC an overview of what he saw. You might ask Jeff Finer what the thinks. I will tell you this, trying to blame the Agents for intimidating the cops won’t help the cops.
In my opinion your best bet is to go straight to main justice, which I’ve listed below. I would be sure and compliment those involved in the Zehm case.
There are so many CRV cases involving large departments through out the nation, that I just don’t see them throwing any more resources into Spokane at this point.
There are avenues other than the feds to get a criminal investigation started, but those are limited, one includes the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney which would probably not be a good idea.
Thomas E. Perez
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
(202) 514-4609Telephone Device for the Deaf (TTY) (202) 514-0716
crossfire on November 03 at 11:47 a.m.
@JustMeAgain,
The truth will set you free…
In this case, the truth will put a guilty man behind bars.
We the people are not all born and raised here.
We also have enough intelligence and insight to realise the truth when we see it “on video”.
The fact we are outspoken is what makes us targets to the simple minded people like you that would just lay down and let an innocent man’s rights be snuffed out.
The man comitted a crime “as determined by the jury”, then he lied about said crime “also as determined by the jury”. He shall pay the time.
In my opinion there isn’t much worse than a cop that lies on the stand. If you can’t count on the protectors of the truth to be truthful then who CAN you count on?
Good cops!! I have your back !!
Bad Cops? I shake my head at your existence.
brianrbreen on November 03 at 11:47 a.m.
@Gramma
Was that directed at me by any chance? My gosh if it was, I just don’t know what to say…except thanks for making my point.
greenlibertarian on November 03 at 11:51 a.m.
de3 on November 03 at 10:35 a.m.
I did not believe that reference to the LAPD and North Idaho, someone linked above, until I read this,
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-12-14/local/me-3280_1_aryan-nations
What, ya been living in a cave?
misjustice on November 03 at 11:51 a.m.
JustgrammaAgain, what will be the basis for Thompson’s appeal? What precise points of law will be argued? You do know what constraints there are on an appeal, don’t you?
If you don’t like the locals, gramma, you are free to move.
greenlibertarian on November 03 at 12:08 p.m.
misjustice on November 03 at 11:51 a.m.
JustgrammaAgain, what will be the basis for Thompson’s appeal? What precise points of law will be argued? You do know what constraints there are on an appeal, don’t you?
If you don’t like the locals, gramma, you are free to move.
JustgrammaAgain wouldn’t know a precise point of law from mushroom.
She’s not going anywhere as her hubby’s government check provides a Spokane nice living and all the Medicare providers just love a hypochondriac, very profitable.
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 12:14 p.m.
Ms. Justy,
Good point. The judge in this case was very diligent and ruled in favor of the defense in most instances. It was a good decision to relocate this trial to Yakima. CO whether you like him or not did an excellent job in defending Ofc. Thompson. When the facts (video) does not back the actions/statements of your client there’s not much to do other than blow smoke and preach to the jury of what a good man your client is.
I too feel sorry for Ofc. Thompson and more importantly for his family. He let us all down. He could have told the truth from day one but he chose not to. The same thing can be said for the City in trying to sweep this case under the rug. The cover-up is much worse than the tragic death of Zehm.
I like Truthhurts’ suggestion of buttons with Otto and -
DON”T COVER UP! DON’T COVER UP!
The_Seer on November 03 at 12:14 p.m.
brian: You might have gone to “better schools” THAN Doug Clark but he still knows the difference between “then” and “than.”
Just sayin…
Thompson can rot for all I care. McIntyre too. And Torok. And Ubierga. And, and, and… until the whole lot who killed Otto and actively covered their crimes and those who abetted the cover up are in jail I won’t rest!
gramma: Come on over sometime and I’ll get a group of “locals” together and you can spout the garbage in your last post. I don’t see it going very well for you.
The_Seer on November 03 at 12:19 p.m.
I disagree that the “cover up” is worse than the murder of Otto. Only cops/ex-cops are making that statement because it puts their profession and their service in a poor light. It is very self-serving. Ask Otto’s relatives what they think and I’ll bet you get an entirely different answer. Even if the country prosecutor had done his duty and generated charges in relation to Otto’s homicide it wouldn’t change most people’s minds that we can’t trust local law enforcement.
brianrbreen on November 03 at 12:22 p.m.
@The_Seer
I know I’m bad. If I hadn’t of played football Spokane Hutchinson would have flunked me.
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 12:23 p.m.
Hey is anyone watching the Mehring civil trial now ending? Watch Meghann Cuniff’s tweeter feed. Atty Bob Dunn just eviscerated Chief Kirkpatrick. Meghan will write a story. It’s clear to me Chief Kirkpatrick can’t get it right when she fires someone. Bob Dunn doesn’t take a case he can’t win and there’s no fat paycheck. I’m tired of paying him for the incompetence of the City.
Here’s some key graphs:
Dunn on Chief Kirkpatrick: “She’s lost at every turn trying to control her destiny - not Detective Mehring’s destiny- in not looking weak.”
Chief Kirkpatrick was sitting stonefaced as city attorneys prepared to begin their closing. Dunn basically eviscerated her in his c
losing.
Dunn’s closing was so biting that city attorney apologized to Chief Kirkpatrick for it when he began his argument.
brianrbreen on November 03 at 12:27 p.m.
@Ron_the _Cop
Don’t you think someone might have got a clue when Ferguson investigated this.
I mean it ain’t rocket since to see there might be a problem.
*Ferguson previously investigated Thompson in a shooting incident in August of
2004 and exonerated him of wrongdoing. On August 7,2004, Thompson and other SPD
officers responded to a family dispute involving an attempted assault with a deadly weapon (handgun) by an intoxicated man named Chris Felch. Felch left the scene in a truck before officers arrived. Thompson saw Felch and used a slow speed maneuver to disable Felch’ struck after a short pursuit. Although another SPD officer had reached through the driver side window and pressed a gun against Felch’s head, Thompson fired five rounds at Felch from the front of his truck. Thompson claims he fired because Felch failed to comply with directions to show his hands and appeared to reach toward the passenger side of the truck to retrieve a weapon. Felch was reportedly shot 3 times in upper torso-arm and was taken into custody for lst Degree Assault, and was transported to the hospital. Based on her SPD investigative reports, State prosecutors concurred with Ferguson’s recommendation not to pursue charges against Thompson. Neither Det. Ferguson nor the MCU made an official case referral for criminal charges to the Prosecutor against Felch on two alleged 1st Degree assaults on family members( i.e., fired handgun ,which jammed, at family members).
Ed Byrnes on November 03 at 12:29 p.m.
This offender, like any offender, has a right to request an appeal hearing, and I would not summarily deny anyone that right. I doubt that there is any new evidence or procedural flaws during the original trial that would support an appeal, though that is for the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals to decide, rather than any of us.
It would indeed be appropriate for the USDOJ to continue investigating the complicity and illegal behavior of all the players in this tale, from other officers and the chief, on up to the city attorney, county attorney and mayor. From some of the testimony about training and tactics, and some of the things written here and on the We Support Karl Thompson FB page it appears that the USDOJ would be justified in launching a practices and procedures investigation of the SPD.
Parallel to this case has been the efforts of many civilians to establish independent oversight of law enforcement. It is my opinion that (a) this will require a citizen initiative since our municipal leaders lack the political will to do this, and (b) a civilian review board (CRB) will be more appropriate and credible than the current ombudsman system. We could use the funding currently allocated to the ombudsman office for some support staff and investigator time for the CRB. I anticipate the guild being against this, and it would be telling if they tried to undermine a procedure voted upon by the citizenry.
One truly sad thing about this crime is that a homicide (what the ME ruled it as) had to occur and federal prosecution was needed before an offender who is also an SPD officer was held accountable.
Ed Byrnes
The_Seer on November 03 at 12:31 p.m.
If I were the cop who had Felch at gunpoint, Thompson would have gone to the hospital as well.
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 12:33 p.m.
The_Seer,
I don’t mean to dismiss the tragic death of Zehm in anyway. This should not have happened. PERIOD!
My concern is why this was allowed to occur. Brian has touched on this. This is why the cover-up in my opinion by senior staff of SPD is worse. It’s like Watergate. Nixon set in motion and tolerated this illegal act.
If we don’t change police policy, procedure, tactics and training we will continue to have these problematic OIS/OIDs. It’s quite clear in the local reviews no one is asking the hard questions in the bush league lead by Tucker where everyone CYAs. At least in the Zehm case they went through the motions but there wasn’t any real search for the truth. HEADS SHOULD ROLL!
The feds are playing major league baseball and asking the questions the locals don’t seem to be capable of asking.
BTW I’m still on the record as a partial solution which can be implemented immediately is inquest panels in all OIS/OIDs to review these investigations.
The Mayor’s promised review may very well be years in coming if they wait for the all the litigation to be completed.
WE NEED CHANGE NOW!
brianrbreen on November 03 at 12:43 p.m.
@Ron_the _Cop
Tell me this, it sounded to me from the tweets that Durkin was walking Thompson through his previous use of force reports and demonstrating for the jury that he always used the same or close to the same verbiage. If I’m right, heck of good move on the feds part.
brianrbreen on November 03 at 12:49 p.m.
@Ron_the _Cop
But if they did OID inquests, someone would be able to ask questions. That wouldn’t work.
Besides they wouldn’t have to go through the guild to accomplish it so how could they blame the guild for not wanting oversight like they do now.
greenlibertarian on November 03 at 12:58 p.m.
/sigh
Faced with two unpalatable choices for Mayor, I wrote in David Brookbank.
A century + of police misconduct in Spokane:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=75654593838&topic=10244
Spokane Police Abuses: Past to Present
The People of Spokane vs. Law Enforcement Abuse, Impunity, Corruption, and Cover-up
http://spokanepoliceabuses.wordpress.com/
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 1:11 p.m.
LOL Brian - you’re quite correct the federal young guns like Mr. Durkin are playing major league baseball in our bush league run by Steve Tucker!
@Truthhurts 9:41 Hrs.
I sent your comment re US Attorney MIchael Ormsby to investigative reporter Larry Shook with this comment:
Shook wrote back. I will take a chance and post his reply here. The blog G-ds here have no use for Mr. Shook’s reporting:
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 1:35 p.m.
As the worm continues to squirm in Spokane. CO just launched this new angle. Good luck:
Thompson lawyer alleges jury misconduct
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/03/thompson-free-least-one-more-day/
misjustice on November 03 at 1:36 p.m.
GrandmaAgain, I’m waiting….
What will be the basis of the appeal?
What specific points of law will CO argue?
Come on, Gramms, smarty pants, now is your time to shine and show the locals how smart folks are that aren’t “from here”… Dazzle us with your brilliance, please????
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 1:39 p.m.
Meghann Cuniff just posted this tease at Sirens & Gavels:
http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sirens/2011/nov/03/feds-hint-broader-spd-problems/
Feds hint at broader problems with SPD
… The U.S. Justice Department, on its homepage today, openly describes the case against Thompson as involving “an extensive cover up” following the fatal March 18, 2006 confrontation. In its news release announcing Thompson’s conviction on charges of using excessive force in the beating of unarmed janitor Otto Zehm and lying about it to investigators, the agency noted that, “Thompson claimed the beating was justified because he felt threatened by a plastic bottle of soda the victim was holding.”
Federal authorities confirm that at least one additional Spokane police officer has received a target letter stemming from the Zehm fatality. Target letters indicate evidence is being presented to a grand jury that could lead to indictment against the recipients. . .
nagroh7 on November 03 at 1:42 p.m.
As a recent follower of this case, I can clearly see how incendiary it has been, and continues to be, in the Spokane area just by reading the posted comments on news stories from the past few days. That this horrific indident and its domino effect goes back six[?!] years is astounding. Because I live in a similar scenario [size, culture, political climate] in a different state, I can guess how opinions on the Zehm case have torn friends and families apart and spawned many discussions about politics and the MACHINE. It certainly behooves the “outsider” to consider the role of the mass media in creating/maintaining public interest in this case, considering that the average attention span is normally about 10 minutes!
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 1:47 p.m.
Nagroh7,
Good point. It’s the synergy between the old media and the new/alternative/social media that has kept the community’s interest active for the last six years. The common denominator is the sense of fairness and ensuring that justice was indeed served.
Congrats to all in the MSM that stayed on this case. I expect no less as I expected better of Ofc. Thompson.
arroyoribera on November 03 at 2:03 p.m.
It is time for the S-R and others to stop describing the crime as Otto Zehm being “beaten by police, shocked with Tasers and left hog-tied”. Two Spokane Police Officers also put their weight on his back while he was hot-tied and on his belly. This case, in addition to being a crime committed by more than one Spokane Police Officer, is a gross civil and human rights abuse indicative of the conduct of police forces across the United States. This is a great day for Otto Zehm and the people of Spokane but it is, as the article indicates, only a new starting point for the battle to bring accountability to a Spokane Police Department with a long and extensive history of corrupt and abusive conduct, as well as unjustified use of force.
Word to the officers of the Spokane Police Department: Some commentators and community members are willing to reflexively repeat ad nauseum the mantra that “there are many good officers on the force”. However many believe that as long as you tolerate this culture of corruption and abuse within your force as well as an intransigent and arrogant Guild (often led by some of your least credible members), you will be correctly and appropriately tarred with the same brush. Many of us will park or turn a corner to avoid any contact whatsoever with you. Many will let a minor offense go unreported so as to keep you out of our neighborhood shootings bullets into our neighbor kids and houses.
And word to all: Time to get rid of Mr. Treppiedi NOW. Out of the prosecutor’s office and off the school board. Regardless of what information he might hold on what people in City Hall or in the rest of Spokane area government, it is time for him to walk into the remainder of his future without a taxpayer check and to end his reign of terror, blackmail and deception within Spokane city politics.
This is not the end of anything. This is the beginning.
David Brookbank
http://spokanepoliceabuses.wordpress.com/abuse-laying-out-the-case/
wdodd on November 03 at 2:16 p.m.
I hope there will be a CRB to investigate in the Dodd shooting. This was plain execution murder!
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 2:24 p.m.
Mr. Brookbank,
I concur with your comments re Mr. Treppiedi. He should have been fired along with City Atty Delaney, Asst. City Atty Treppiedi, Chief Kirkpatrick, and Asst. Chief Nicks by the Mayor after she read the federal proffer filed in this case in April 2010. To do no less was malfeasance in Office by Madam Mayor. The Mayor has no spine. Lets not forget Mr. Tucker’s presiding over the bush league in this little berg that with CYA and sweep these mistakes under the rug.
I disagree with painting with a broad brush all of SPD as being all bad. As Brian commented above thread where were the good officers supposed to go with those complicit in this cover-up at the helm? That’s why I’m so adamant that the feds continue to clean house at SPD and at City Hall. And also why I’m so down on the LE leadership that allowed this to occur and then covered it up.
The Mayor’s much touted review is probably many months off if this waits for all the litigation to be completed. We need change now!
As Brian and I have said inquest panels of all OIS/OIDs would be an immediate action that could be taken WITHOUT requiring any negotiations with the Guild. We’re still waiting for the Mayor to negotiate increased powers with the Guild on the Office Ombudsman. This exercise has been one circle jerk. No offense to Mr. Burns who I has addressed my criminal justice classes. IMO also the City Attorney’s Office tanked the appeal to the PERC Board re the revised OPO ordinance.
It’s obvious to me our elected leaders are incapable of dealing with this mess.
The_Seer on November 03 at 5:00 p.m.
ron: Your portrayal of the good officers who couldn’t step up because there was no one not tainted to step up to is probably valid.
One can choose not to work alongside crooks. I do it all the time.
misjustice on November 03 at 6:10 p.m.
JustgrammaAgain….waiting…still waiting…
*crickets*
brianrbreen on November 03 at 7:48 p.m.
@nagroh7
If your post was an attempt to deflect blame on the media, then you are so wrong. It’s not the media, and perhaps it would be a good idea if the person you know and others began to accept the fact that blame lies directly where it has been placed by a jury. The attention span for this case will last only a short period of time and five years from now few will remember all of the details surrounding the case. But nearly everyone will remember Otto Zehm. Mistakes were made by many. Some, had the strength to admit those mistakes in certain venues, but that strength faded when the pressure was on, and that’s something those that lost that strength will have to deal with in their own way. A few years down the road this case and their part in it will become less and less important in life. It is far more important what they do from here on.
Ed Byrnes on November 03 at 9:44 p.m.
Ron and Brian,
As always I am grateful for your insightful contributions to forums on police accountability and know I respect both of your integrity.
Out of that respect I owe you a bit more explanation of my position regarding a CRB.
I would love to have ME led inquests into and OIS or OID incidents, provided there is a member of the judiciary and independently selected civilians involved. The history of Spokane demands that any credible oversight not be the exclusive domain of municipal officials, based on their collective past performance to date.
Although we all know that the inquest process could be implemented tomorrow I think we also know that there just isn’t the political will among any of our municipal leaders to do anything about law enforcement oversight or accountability: Not even enough political will to use the already available inquest process.
This leaves it to us civilians to make it happen, and if we are going to go to the effort of a ballot initiative we deserve to be the drivers of the process, not some passenger begrudgingly allowed along for the process. If us civilians must do it for ourselves then we earn the right to lead the resulting oversight process ourselves.
Respectfully,
Ed Byrnes
Ron_the_Cop on November 03 at 10:15 p.m.
Ed,
We need to talk. An inquest panel under the parameters that Brian others here have kicked around I think is the quickest way to get the change we all want. It’s not the entire solution but it would quickly raise the professional bar of these OIS/OIDs investigation. I so doing it would bring about accountability but at the same time respecting the due process rights of all involved as we have discussed before.
Larry Shook will soon launch The David Project. I’ll send you an email I received today on this project.
Ron
brianrbreen on November 04 at 7:23 a.m.
@Ed
The Zehm case is a clear demonstration of why there isn’t any political will as far as OID inquests are concerned. The same is true of the Creach case. At this point the only oversight option for families and the community with respect to OIDs is costly civil litigation or the long shot hope that the federal government will get involved. The three leaders of our local law enforcement community Tucker, Ozzie, and Kirkpatrick have all publicly said they are not opposed to OID inquests. Their public position in that regard seems to be nothing more than lip service. If they truly wanted that type of oversight, as a group they would approach the County Commissioners and get it done, but they haven’t.
After 40 plus years of doing the only thing I know how to do I’ve learned a few things. Cops don’t like to be told that they are wrong, or that they made mistakes. Police Administrators are far worse. Elected Public Officials are at the top of the rung when it comes to admitting they, or the people under them, have made mistakes or have done anything wrong. The battle for legitimate police oversight is a tough one, and not entirely because of the cops. The truth of the matter is, the obstruction comes from the administrative levels where the fear is that any oversight might reflect upon them.
Another problem is that the public as a whole doesn’t have a real understanding of what actually constitutes legitimate oversight. The battle for investigative power for the Ombudsman, was in my view just silly. Given the current state of the City and the Department those added investigative powers would have caused even more problems then it would have been worth.
I admire the fact that Marianne Torres and her group are doing what they can to get some type of oversight. Unfortunately, that small group won’t be able to accomplish much until far more of the “uptown” folk are on board, and believe me, many of those “uptown” folk are on board, just not enough at this point. I keep referring to the LTE linked below, Don and I battled it out many a time but we are on the same page with this one, and I think from the standpoint of the Thompson trial we have been proven right. There needs to be a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Zehm case beyond what the feds have or will later charge. But it’s pretty obvious that the Mayor, and the City Council, don’t want one, and it is obvious to me as to why.
I’m not a political guy, never have been, and consider myself an independent, but knowing that Mary Verner is a good Democrat, and Donald Brockett is a good Democrat, maybe the two ought to get together and discuss a few things.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/aug/27/case-raises-questions/
mtorres55 on November 11 at 10:03 a.m.
Brian, you’re absolutely right that the problem is far deeper than the need for investigative authority. At the time, although many in the Coalition were aware how deep the problem was, the public was not. It took The Trial to expose that.
We needed to fight for investigative authority for that was in place and it was important that it remain in place and then strengthened. But City Council caved in when the Police Guild said “Boo!” and we lost it. We still need it.
That said, a number of things have come to the public’s attention that were not clear before, or were not clear to enough of the public to give us support for a major upheaval within the SPD and City Legal, but which was already clear to our coalition:
- Treppeidi’s unethical if not illegal interference with and shadowing of the federal prosecution;
- the depth of the “thin blue line” as a breathtaking number of cops were willing to perjure themselves in Thompson’s defense;
- the Mayor’s continuing support of a City Attorney (“J. Edgar” Treppeidi) who fed her lies that she willingly repeated;
- SPD’s neanderthal training and policing practices. In the courtroom, several SPD officials testified that everything Thompson did that night was per the book. That book needs to be burned! Spokane is decades behind best practices for dealing with mentally ill people, as well;
- the appalling behavior of what is now reported to be nearly 80 cops (1/3 of the force?) with their courtroom salute;
- those same cops’ illegal interference with the marshals as they took Thompson out (without handcuffs, reportedly a result of “negotiation” with those cops as the only way the cops would allow Thompson to be taken);
- that show of physical force that should have resulted in every single one of them fired and prosecuted;
- Kirkpatrick’s complete loss of control of her department and employees, as evidenced by 1) she reportedly told the force that anyone on duty that day was not to go to the courthouse, and many did in direct contravention of her orders and 2) the ease with which those cops defied her AND broke the law as a group in interfering by force with a court procedure.
- the existence in Spokane of a true Rogue Force, clearly answerable to no law but their own undefined but somehow internally understood set of behaviors and desires.
This is truly frightening, and many of us would like to see the DOJ come in to do a clean sweep of the entire department. There is a cancer in the City, and it’s called the Spokane Police Department.
If you’re interested in bringing your organization to the coalition that is addressing all of these things, call Center for Justice (509) 835-5211, PJALS (509) 838-7870 or VOICES to learn the date of the next Police Accountability meeting.