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November 8, 2011 in City
Thompson released pending sentencing
Judge cites convicted officer’s military, police service in ruling
Thompson
(Full-size photo)
A judge ruled late Monday to release convicted Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. and could rule as early as this morning whether to bring in jurors for questioning after a defense attorney raised allegations of juror misconduct.
U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle reversed a Friday decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge James Hutton, who ordered Thompson detained until sentencing, which has been set for Jan. 27 at 9 a.m. In ruling for Thompson, Van Sickle went against a prior ruling made against officers convicted in the 1992 beating of Rodney King that they were not above the law that requires they remain in jail prior to sentencing except in “exceptional” cases.
“The court is very much mindful that the (Rodney King) case clearly states that there is no law enforcement exemption for law enforcement detention,” said Van Sickle, who presided over the four-week trial in which Thompson was convicted of using excessive force against Otto Zehm and lying to cover up his actions.
In his opening remarks, Van Sickle referenced the public display Friday of about 50 Spokane police officers who stood and saluted as Thompson was led away by U.S. Marshals.
“There are a lot of hard and strong feelings one way or the other,” Van Sickle said. “This is not the place for any form of demonstration or action of any kind or sort. At best, such conduct will carry exclusion from the courtroom. At worst … contempt of court.”
About 15 officers attended Monday as defense attorney Carl Oreskovich pleaded for the release of Thompson, who arrived unshaven wearing a yellow Bonner County Jail jumpsuit that indicated where he spent his weekend.
“I can’t imagine a circumstance where anyone would be more vulnerable in an incarcerated setting than a police officer,” Oreskovich said. “This is a man who for his entire life stood up for what we all believe in and protected what we all believe in.”
And at 64, Oreskovich said his client is facing a sentence that “could be potentially the rest of his life. I would argue that is another exceptional reason for his release pending sentencing.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Durkin argued previous court rulings clearly show that only those persons with “truly unusual circumstances” are allowed to remain out of jail while awaiting sentencing after a violent crime conviction.
“Unless this court is willing to say that all officers convicted of (using unreasonable force) are exceptional, then this court must rule that the defendant remain detained,” Durkin said.
Van Sickle cited Thompson’s lifelong service in law enforcement, his “exemplary” military service in the Vietnam War and complying with all conditions of his release prior to his four-week trial in Yakima.
“I’m persuaded that the defendant is not likely to flee … and that he does not pose a risk of harm to any person or the community,” Van Sickle said. “I do think that is an exceptional circumstance that will apply.”
Van Sickle also set a hearing for today at 8:30 a.m. after Oreskovich requested to question jurors who were near a television when coverage of the trial was broadcast.
“What I can do is proffer an observation of myself,” Oreskovich said in court last week, that jurors “were exposed to information they should not have been exposed (to) … about mental health issues.”
However, Oreskovich then filed a memorandum identifying that it was his paralegal, Jodi Dineen, who saw a juror watching a Northwest Cable News television broadcast of a “tickertape” that indicated the jury was deliberating a “Spokane police officer’s beating death of mentally ill janitor.”
Durkin later filed his own memorandum from investigator James Tilley, who contacted Northwest Cable News and obtained the verbatim transcript of that tickertape broadcast. It made no mention of any mental illness of Zehm, which Van Sickle ruled would not be admissible during trial.
In his arguments against opening the jury up for questioning, Durkin cited another case – U.S. v. Williams-Davis – where an attorney waited just like Oreskovich until after the jury’s decision before raising allegations that one or more jurors had been exposed to media accounts of the trial.
“Under such circumstances,” the appellate judges wrote in part, “we think the objection came too late and that the complaining parties should not be permitted to speculate on the result of the trial before calling the question of (juror) misconduct to the attention of the trial court judge.”
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
ericdx on November 08 at 12:10 a.m.
CO is trying to throw any dirt he can, and now it looks like he is filing claims that are not based upon fact, according to NWCN. Just trying to do whatever he can to cloud the fact that his scumbag client murdered an innocent and helpless man.
I know he was not tried for murder, but murder it was. Murder most foul, the willful killing of a harmless man who just wanted a snickers bar.
Slightlyworried on November 08 at 12:28 a.m.
I wonder if Steve Tucker got invited to the party at Thompson’s house tonight? Afterall, he has been a valuable member of the defense team throughout this entire situation.
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 12:29 a.m.
Really? (this S/R “story”)?
Selene_U on November 08 at 1:56 a.m.
Wish I could say I was shocked but corruption runs deep here in Spokane.
another_perspective on November 08 at 2:52 a.m.
An innocent man dies and a guilty man runs free.
The defense attempts to color the life of Otto prior to his death as an excuse to beat him with a baton, then the same defense attempts to paint his killer as a red, white and blue savior of the American spirit in order to let him walk free.
Just because the law gives Van Sickle wide lattitude to let a killer run free, it doesnt mean that he should have allowed it. It seemed they argued why he should run free, instead of why he should continue to be incarcerated. This litte side track of justice just means that Karl will be in prison 80 days longer when he is finally released sometime 8 years in the future.
I wonder if they would have allowed Lee Harvey Oswald freedom prior to sentencing if he had not been shot by Jack Ruby and found guilty.
It seemd the Federal Code was a large mass of sphaghetti where both sides unraveled it to two separate conclusions.
Dear Otto,
It seems that you will have to wait another 80 days beyond the 5 years, 7 months and 15 days you have suffered seeking justice for your death. Justice has taken a short vacation, but it will prevail. I pray that perhaps the Lord will help us humans find true justice and that Karl and his Fan Klubbers perhaps will choke to death on a turkey bone this holiday season.
I love my Country but I truly fear my government and the criminals that wear the suit of blue that have lied about serving and protecting us. Hell will have a special corner reserved just for them.
Is the joy that Karls family will find this Holiday season brought by his release be worth the forever sorrow upon the family and friends of Otto? I think not. To rot in prison is Karls fate that should not have been shortchanged.
wheels on November 08 at 4:26 a.m.
Van Sickle is a disgrace to the bench.
D Statler on November 08 at 6:02 a.m.
(AVISTA 8% rate increase) Public hearings with the UTC are today at 12 pm in the valley council chambers and 6 pm in the city council chambers. Hope to see everyone there
D Statler on November 08 at 6:08 a.m.
If my wrongfully convicted,corruptfully prosecuted son was a cop.He would be free right now. It is clear that Spokane taxpayers have hired a exspensive trial lawyer to represent this EX-cop. The continued spending and bending is costing us millions. Great job and Great leadership Mayor Verner !
Ron_the_Cop on November 08 at 6:27 a.m.
FYI as an aside both John Olsen AKA ChefGus and I testified before the City Council last night about the display of support for Ofc. Thompson by some officers of the SPD.
I explained while I did understand their need to show emotional support for Ofc. Thompson, this was way over the line and was a show of disrespect to the rule of the law, the sanctity of the court and to the family. I filed an IA complaint re this action with SPD Ombudsman Tim Burns. See my post here for my letter http://tinyurl.com/6nfysnx
John Olsen also who was wearing his dog tags from his prior military service said he was shocked too about this display. He said the Council could no longer avoid taken action to remedy the problems at SPD. Shocking but Council President Shogan appeared to support our disdain for this display.
Those wishing to join in our complaint can contact SPD Ombudsman Tim Burns and register their complaint too:
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
I also rehashed my standing recommendation to the Mayor and City Council -
1. Request that the US Atty’s Office expand its current criminal investigation to include any who were complicit in the cover-up for obstruction justice.
2. Request that the US DOJ initiate a civil pattern and practice investigation of SPD.
3. Request that the Board of Commissioners require all OIS/OIDs to reviewed by an inquest panel as Brian Breen and others have discussed in this comment threads.
Lewis on November 08 at 6:53 a.m.
well it felt good to have faith in our justice system even though it was short lived back to no faith again. oh well what did i expect this is Spokane.
johnclarke on November 08 at 7:56 a.m.
Yeah, I got nothing except a lack of surprise.
Shadedmuse on November 08 at 8:57 a.m.
Vansickle got it right, the Jury got it wrong.
LARL thompson is NOT GUilty!!!!!!!!!
DickAdams on November 08 at 9:29 a.m.
I wonder how Van Sickle knows Thompson’s lifelong service in law enforcement, and his “exemplary” military service in the Vietnam War was true? I can say in my previous life, working my way up up from a union employee, to an executive, retiring from the position of Manager of Operations and B&B maintenance, from a wholly owned subsidiary railroad of United States Steel corporation. With over 30 years of continuous service, on several occasions where I disciplined employees that had clean records for decades but where the supervisors had looked the other way and did nothing about their behavior through the years. I had known from past experience, and knowing them, many should have been cited years earlier. In the ranks I knew first hand about some individuals where they should have been taken to task, but due to the lack of good supervision nothing was done. I had direct supervision over 21 management employees plus all foremen and general foremen. After being appointed manager, I explained to all, they had better not look the other way as I would not tolerate it.
johnclarke on November 08 at 9:40 a.m.
Good post Dick. I responded to another thread touting this guys service. First of all, lots of people serve. Second, what did he do in the military? Perhaps he served with honor in a combat unit, or maybe he was in supply (also an honorable way to serve) . I guess if this is given as a reason Thompson is walking the streets, I find myself somewhat curious.
So what, if I go and rob a bank and then found guilty - would I be released because I “served with honor” ?
Shelala on November 08 at 10:01 a.m.
Local unpopular law enforcement actions result in many citizens, like me, posting on local media boards, facebook and newspaper opinion columns. The Karl Thompson trial is no different. The community is frustrated that they are not being heard by local leaders especially law enforcement. Some have boldly attempted to voice their opinions at city council meetings, community forums or by letter writing, but they seem to be simply placated and ignored.The majority are outraged and want change. I want change. Now it appears that the Karl Thompson’s defense team claim his conviction was a result of media bias. Anyone who has ever followed a presidential election campaign knows the power of the press, but seems to be capable of forming their own opinion and vote to elect a president. I am a thoughtful, law biding, tax paying, intelligent citizen of Spokane. I read the newspaper and watch the news- It’s how I keep abreast of what is happening in the community.. I can form an independent thought and an opinion. Thompson was convicted by a jury of citizens hand selected by both sides from a large pool and not one of them a member of any media..
Responsible city leaders, especially law enforcement would serve themselves well to read those blogs,boards and opinions posted because the public is trying to be heard and the media has an efficient vehicle for public response. Media is vocal and responsive, maybe you should take a cue. I have a vote and I’m not afraid to use it.
truthBknown on November 08 at 10:10 a.m.
Now that Officer Karl Thompson has been found guilty of murder ~ are they going to re-open the “alleged” rape case against Officer Uberauga? He is one of the “Hard 7” (the officers moniker on the Spokane Review blog damage control unit ) that killed Otto. (BTWTalk about an INAPPROPRIATE macho name, are they THAT proud of killing a mentally ill man who never saw a baton blow coming to the back of his head ~) after all ~ they are cops who fear pepsi bottles and snicker bars as weapons!! October 17th, 2007 Detective Jason Uberauga “allegedly” raped a woman while on duty, driving a police vehicle and using police equipment in the incident. Uberauga and fellow Spokane Sheriff’s officers got drunk in Scotty’s bar, on duty, eventually conversing with the victim. Victim showed Jason a tattoo on her breast and Jason took photo’s of her breasts with a police camera. Uberauga then walked her to her car and got in as they talked. Uberauga then proceeded to “allegedly” rape her. Officers and bar patrons came outside to cheer Uberauga on. The victim fought like hell but was overpowered by the buff officer. The victim was bruised and bloodied and went to the hospital for a rape kit. The victim’s car had definitive shoe marks indicating a struggle from her. Victim filed charges, Uberauga was put on paid leave (see:vacation) while an “internal” investigation took place. SPD think it’s dandy to have their “brethren” cops investigate a police crime! It is legend that these “brethren” stick together no matter what. (Prime example: the 50 cop salute in Federal Court yesterday for convicted murderer and former Officer Karl Thompson.)
DEA Detective Uberauga claimed he and the victim had “consensual sex” and that the victim was just “pissed off” because Uberauga said they could no longer “see each other” as he was engaged. The victim was also engaged at the time of the crime. So ~ in effect~ Uberauga raped the intoxicated victim and then “blamed the victim” for the rape. This is textbook stuff.
The rape victim was then repeatedly harassed in public places by a particular SPD officer close to Uberauga. One night the victim was out with her fiance’ and another couple when a drunken SPD officer started screaming at her in a restaurant, concerning the rape. SPD was called, but as you can guess, they did NOT show up.
The SPD started to frequent the victim’s place of employment~ which she video’d. The victim reported this to SPD to no avail. The victim’s boss tired of the harassment and started helping her video the SPD stalking. The SPD would park across the street of the victim’s place of employment,for hours, trying to intimidate her ~ also on video. The SPD pulled over her fiance’s mother for a bogus tail light out (the tail light was NOT out) and cited her on charge of no I.D. The victim’s future mother in law parked at the victims house quite often and was pulled over and cited a few blocks from said home. The victim also had an SPD officer prowling around in her back yard one night.
Meanwhile, after being put on month’s “paid administrative leave”, Uberauga was eventually fired for “behavior unbecoming a police officer”, only to be mysteriously re-hired a few weeks later at a demoted level of ‘police officer’. Hmmmm?
The victim’s father contacted SPD Police Chief Kirkpatrick, asking why Uberauga was re-hired ~ Anne sadly told him she “did not agree with the decision”, stating it was “out of her control” (so who is IN control?) and she “supported good cops, not bad cops”. The victims father contacted the Attorney General’s Office with the case. The AGO seemed quit interested. But for some reason, the AGO never got back to the father or the victim. (Previously the victim had fought for justice, retained two pro-bono attorney’s, who eventually dropped her case, advising the victim that she has no chance for justice against the SPD.) It’s a sad day when a “poor” rape victim suffers and an “alleged” rapist police officer walks free.
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 10:55 a.m.
Ron the Cop, should a former SPD officer STILL be addressed with the honorific title of “Officer” after he has been convicted for violently violating the civil rights of a citizen, and was terminated for cause by the PD he was working for because of such egregious conduct unbecoming?
Ron_the_Cop on November 08 at 10:58 a.m.
Green,
You’re probably correct however I don’t think Chief Kirkpatrick has served him with his official termination notice yet.
Might be something the media might want to asked Chief Kirkpatrick.
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 12:06 p.m.
And I still cannot fathom how a guy, Klubber, who had worked himself up all the way up to Captain (in Idaho), was a SPD Corporal at the time he commenced the death of Otto.
I mean Corporals are usually guys/gals with 4-5 years experience on The Job and in their late 20’s, not in their late 50’s like Klubber was at the time of the homicide.
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 12:19 p.m.
truthBknown on November 08 at 10:10 a.m.
Now that Officer Karl Thompson has been found guilty of murder ~
You probably have some very valid points, but who’s going to read all that when you have your fact wrong from the get go?
Thompson was found guilty of willfully, violently violating Otto’s civil rights. Which lead to homicide, but NO ONE’S been charged with any level of homicide including murder.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 12:20 p.m.
@johnclarke
I honestly have no problems with Thompson being released pre-sentencing. When it gets down to the bottom line the biggest factor is whether the convicted individual represents a danger to the community, or a flight risk (they will take his passport by the way). I don’t personally think he does represent a risk, and I’ve had cases, including cops, where the risks were significantly higher and they were released pre-sentencing.
The biggest danger Karl Thompson represents to the community is how he deals with the decisions he has made. Which include bringing down some pretty good people because of his ability to put himself in the self-serving position of wanting more than what he really has in life, or what he is really capable of doing.
Now that he is out, a real man and a real cop, would have private conversations with friends like Sandra McIntyre, Officer Moses, retired Detective Ferguson, Officer Pruninger, and others to try and explain to them, that yes he fell, and a lot of the things that he did were very wrong, as did they. But as a real mentor he hopes that what he has put them through will be a learning experience for them all, and help them to gain an understanding of just exactly how important they are and how important what they do is, and never allow themselves to be caught up in trying to defend something that was wrong. Hopefully he will tell them that their responsibilities, are not to Him, not to the City of Spokane, not to the SPD, not to Themselves, but just to the People.
Even if there is a retrial (which I sincerely doubt), the issue now is Karl Thompson. Are you really who you say you are Karl? Or are you going to put so many good people in the toilet to protect yourself? Do it any way you want.
I’ll be really interested to see what Karl Thompson says at sentencing, and we all should. To be a mentor of cops, and show them what it takes as far as when you are wrong, you admit it, and never take anyone with you.
The best thing for you Karl to do is try to explain what happened and how you allowed it to happen. Then beyond that take your punishment, but please don’t take some good kids down with you.
As you probably know as big of a coward I am, I won’t allow it.
misjustice on November 08 at 1:07 p.m.
****truthBknown on November 08 at 10:10 a.m. Now that Officer Karl Thompson has been found guilty of murder ~ *****
PLEASE SHOW ME ANYWHERE THAT SAYS THOMPSON HAS BEEN CHARGED, LET ALONE CONVICTED, OF MURDER.
Your idiocy is showing.
Shelala on November 08 at 1:12 p.m.
Ya know Brian, Sometimes when a surgeon removes a cancerous tumor he takes some nearby healthy tissue with it to ensure the cancer doesn’t reoccur. Bad analogy, but you get my point.
misjustice on November 08 at 1:18 p.m.
Dear Mr. Burns,
I am writing in non-support of Brian Breen’s complaint about the display of support in federal court in Yakima last week. Police Officers are police officers 24/7 but they are also citizens that have a federal right to free speech. Their behavior is protected by that law. It is totally okay for those 50 officers to salute any person they choose. Their presence indicates that they feel the officer was right in doing his job because he reacted due to the information he was given at the time.
I am a citizen of Spokane and have been for the past 35 years. I support the 50+ officers in their right to support their fellow officer. While some citizens feel these officers have NO capacity for empathy and therefore believe they will most likely do the same as Thompson, I disagree. They have shown empathy for a person they feel has been wrongfully convicted of a felony while performing a job he has performed with honor for the past 17+ years.
What difference does it make to wonder how these officers would feel if one of their innocent children were beaten, tasered, hogtied, and deprived of oxygen only to learn that the POLICE supported this in a gang-like fashion? This has not happened and to wonder what they would do in such a case does not have any bearings on this case. Therefore, I believe they should NOT be reprimanded nor fired just because a former officer thinks they should be. When did the opinion & request of one such person think his/her letter should cause action? If this is the case, then my letter should cancel out the previous request. Let’s be equal & fair.
When we lose the individual right to freedom of speech while on our own free time would be a disservice to ALL. When you limit who can and can not speak freely because of a position they hold for employment, then ALL freedoms have been lost for every citizen of this country.
Sincerely yours,
Concerned Citizen of Spokane That Still Believes In The Constitution Of The United States
P.S. When we let the mob mentality of the citizens cry for us to lynch the officer, we have stepped back in history by 100 plus years.
*************
Yes. I think I will send this letter also.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 1:19 p.m.
@Shelala
Yes, I know and then maybe that tissue has a chance to grow back healthy and even stronger.
The_Seer on November 08 at 1:25 p.m.
Lots of the “indigent” people I know show up for court dressed in various suits. Just like Karl.
What a joke. 70 grand a year plus overtime and I get to pay for this gold bricker’s defense attorney. Make sure to lube me up better next time.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 1:32 p.m.
@Shelala
BTW: As you know a lot of it has to do with the care that tissue gets.
Shelala on November 08 at 1:54 p.m.
Brian, I was around when you were a cop. Can you recall anyone who treated an IA incident as a learning experience?
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 2:04 p.m.
Yes. I think I will send this letter also.
You do that gramma, it reads like a 12-year-old wrote it.
Thanks for doing your part to support rational police conduct by making yourself sound like an ignorant child.
It helps Breen’s effort.
Thank you.
misjustice on November 08 at 2:10 p.m.
greenlibertarian. I’m NOT your gramma. Please quit referring to me as such.
I’ve found in past incidences that people that call others ignorant are usually at the head of the line showing their own ignorance. Thank you for clarifying that to the public.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 2:20 p.m.
@Granny
That was Ron Wrights, complaint not mine. I do my own if I have to. If it makes you feel any better, it was a hindrance for me for what I’m doing. Because of the position the City and the SPD can take and likely will regarding my PDRs and the ongoing investigation exemption. But that is okay, got some stuff. I’ll keep at it until I’m satisfiedl at the very least some folks get three year file letters, and those that disobeyed a direct order get at least a day.(Yes I know I’m getting soft)
As far as the other issues are concerned, (Bunch, Miedl) that’s up to the media, and so far I would assume they are satisfied. I understand their dilemma. I am not sure whether I do or not, given the relatively high standard I would expect from law enforcement.
Oh, buy the way yes I do know, and it might be the next one, up to you.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 2:37 p.m.
@Shelala
Me! You have to admit, I never got into another off duty bar fight! (As you know, 3 days, used a vacation day walked in and said yep, I screwed up)
BTW: I’ll give anyone a waiver, already gave the media one. Would you mind adding all the other stuff that might make me look good. There might be at least one other thing.
misjustice on November 08 at 2:39 p.m.
Don’t pay any attention to GrammaAgain; her curlers are wound a little too tightly.
I agree that her letter is poorly written; what it lacks in grammar and sentence structure it more than makes up for in vacuous claims.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 2:46 p.m.
@Shelala
You know me. Don’t think I wasn’t ready.
brianrbreen on November 08 at 3:20 p.m.
@Green
@misjustice
Sorry being “Obtuse”! :)
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 4:46 p.m.
GERRY SPENCE’S FAMOUS FINAL PLEA IN CLOSING ARGUMENT
If you have been a trial lawyer for long, you likely have heard of Gerry Spence’s famous final plea in just about every closing argument . From his latest book, Win Your Case, Spence speaks to the jury on behalf of little Polly:
Before I leave you I want to share with you a story I tell in nearly every case. It’s about transferring the responsibility of the case from us, on behalf of little Polly and her parents, to you, the jury.
It’s a story of a wise old man and a smart-aleck boy who wanted to show up the wise old man as a fool.
One day this boy caught a small bird in the forest. The boy had a plan. He brought the bird, cupped between his hands, to the old man. His plan was to say, “Old man, what do I have in my hands?” to which the old man would answer, “You have a bird, my son.” Then the boy would say, “Old man, is the bird alive or is it dead?” If the old man said the bird was dead, the boy would open his hands and the bird would fly freely back to the forest. But if the old man said the bird was alive, then the boy would crush the little bird, and crush it, and crush it until it was dead.
So the smart-aleck boy sauntered up to the old man and said, “Old man, what do I have in my hands?” And the old man said, “You have a bird, my son.” Then the boy said with a malevolent grin, “Old man, is the bird alive or is it dead?”
And the old man, with sad eyes, said, >”The bird is in your hands, my son.”
And so, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, “the case of little Polly is in yours.”
Spence tells us: Let go … Let the lion out … Trust the jury … Give them the responsibility … Give them the power.
http://www.virginiainjurylawyerblog.com/2006/12/gerry_spences_famous_final_ple_1.html
Justice for Otto, please.
Liberalsblow on November 08 at 4:46 p.m.
bottom line its free speech.
I suspect the SPD admin will state it again as soon as the election is over.
Karl is a hero in a war with a corrupt DOJ
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 5:20 p.m.
Liberalsblow on November 08 at 4:46 p.m.
bottom line its free speech.
I suspect the SPD admin will state it again as soon as the election is over.
Karl is a hero in a war with a corrupt DOJ
I reckon 95% of us who post on these boards, from a huge variety of perspectives, differing opinions, ex-cops to those abused by the cops/justice system, cranks, deep thinkers, shallow thinkers, ordinary working stiffs, people of every stripe, age and experience, agree that what happened to Otto was wrong and it began with the fault of Klubber who started beating Otto 2.3 seconds after Klubber entered the Zip Trip, for absolutely no good reason whatsover, EVEN knowing only what he knew that fatal evening. And then Klubber lied about Zehm’s actions saying he was offensive, when he was defensive all the way, as proved by the store videos.
Klubber got the finest defense one could hope for, and, still, he was convicted by a jury in a very reasonable amount of time.
There are a tiny percentage of people like Liberalsblow who think cops can do no wrong. They are completely ignorant of the facts and of the process that just happened.
zelda on November 08 at 6:43 p.m.
I listened to part of a radio program on KXLY this afternoon and the principal support of Karl Thompson seemed to hinge on him being a Vietnam War veteran. I don’t have any kind of beef with veterans, but since when does serving in Vietnam and getting an honorable discharge give a person some kind of exalted status?
And the radio host and guests don’t seem to understand the definition of homicide.
So the local polarization seems to be developing along the lines of “if you’re pro-veteran, you’ve got to be pro-cop” and if you have a problem with LE, you’re a commie-pinko-liberal-socialist-European traitor. Don’t you just love how in America there are no gray areas anymore? Don’t think too hard about complex issues because your head might explode.
Orphan on November 08 at 7:15 p.m.
JustMeAgain Yes the officers have a right to free speach but we the citizens also have the right to shun those same officers.
Along with freedom of speach goes responsibility and if you don’t understand that its no wonder to me that you think what Thompson did was OK.
SPD has lost a huge amount of support from the citizens.
You forget whom SPD works for, just so you know that would be the people of Spokane.
I for one will not ever again aid, help or assist another SPD officer until SPD is repaired to my satisfaction.
Just keep making it us against you and see how far that gets you. Think purse strings.
misjustice on November 08 at 7:19 p.m.
@brianbreen.
First, you are correct. I apologize for saying this was your letter. As I pretty much cut & pasted & changed a few words of a previous letter posted, your name was in it & that’s the way it came up.
Your letter says you believe the officers disregarded a direct order. That direct order was to not be there while on duty & not just be there on their own time. I believe that is for the police chief to see which employees were in attendance, not public citizens set for vigilante reasons.
Second, when I click on the letter that Ron Wright (aka Ron_the_Cop) has filed or is considering filing, it comes up as “friendsofmarkfuhrman.org.
http://friendsofmarkfuhrman.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/spd-complaint-letter.pdf
OR go to this one that doesn’t initially say where it directs you to: http://tinyurl.com/6nfysnx
He doesn’t say it takes you to a friend of mark fuhrman organization. But, wow. Just whom I want to represent me….NOT…..someone that was proven to be a liar while under oath during the OJ trial.
Third, I wasn’t sure if you were talking to me as you referred to me as granny. I am JustMeAgain, not granny, not GrammaAgain, nor grannyc.
Again, sorry for confusing you with someone else.
misjustice on November 08 at 7:50 p.m.
JustMeAgain who changed her name from Gramma…long time contributors know who you are, Gramms. No shame in that is there?
We also remember the hateful things that you posted about Pastor Creach after he died at the hands of Hirzel, which we flagged and got removed from the threads. Is that why you changed your name? Think we wouldn’t/couldn’t figure it out?
Liberalsblow on November 08 at 8:04 p.m.
what a bunch of idiots you people are.
So the officers all took their uniforms off and abandoned their posts to attend the hearing?
look at all the trials in the recent past that have had officer interest. Do you really think that they don’t know how to take time off to attend?
A simple gesture of respect gets you fools all in a slather.
Do you really think Queen Ann is going to go after someone for exercising their 1st ammendment rights right after she was hit with a $250,000 fine for violating Mehring’s on the same day?
State law says that punitive damages can’t be paid by a public employer. Thats why Ann had to bring her finances to court.
You people are really dense. Go ahead and spin your wheels.
I hope the city trys to go after them. More rich cops in the future.
greenlibertarian on November 08 at 8:57 p.m.
OK, this troll’s got nothing intelligent to say AND insults everybody. He won’t be around long, too ignorant.
Here’s how we know the word came down on the cops, because yesterday, NONE of the cops there said or did anything in the courtroom, when their accessory to murder Klubber was freed. Even in the hallway afterwords, they were somber.
While the $250K should probably come out of Kirkpatrict’s pocket, I’ve no doubt she carries professional liability insurance that will indemnify most of the payout, assuming the case survives on appeal, which it probably will (in Mehring’s favor).
Spokane_Citizen on November 08 at 9:18 p.m.
Actually Greenlibertarian…the city (and most all cities for that matter) have stated policies of indemnification for appointed officials…(and citizens serving on boards and commissions) because without such protection nobody with the appropriate credentials would ever consider serving in such a capacity. The personal liability is too great (yes, I know some bozo will offer to do the same job for half her wages…and I guarantee that won’t end well either!).
A court decided she handled the termination improperly (and righted the wrong) but nobody argued that the act of recommending termination to the city’s administration (who acted upon that recommendation) was beyond the normal scope of her job duties. That’s her legitimate job….she just didn’t exercise appropriate judgment in the execution of her duties.
Ron_the_Cop on November 08 at 10:23 p.m.
Green,
Yes Chief Kirkpatrick was tabbed with a $250K punitive damage award. My guess is the City will cover her on this. We had officers that ended up with punitive damage awards and the City picked up the tab even if they didn’t have to.
JustMeAgain,
Yes FOF is my server name. I used to post as FOF after Fuhrman’s radio show was abruptly taken off the air. After a while when it was apparent he wasn’t going to reappear on another station I decided to change my blog to RTC. Because I didn’t want to lose the contents of my earlier posts it was just easier to create the blog domain RTC and redirect to my old site/server.
Sorry I happen to like Mark Fuhrman. Yes he got led down the garden path by F. Lee Bailey in the OJ trial. He should have known better. Technically in CA perjury must be on a material fact in the case. The lie that Fuhrman told re if he had ever used the “n” word really wasn’t material to this case.
brianrbreen on November 09 at 7:45 a.m.
@Shelala
I hope you understand my obtuse response wasn’t meant for you, rather for some folks that read these blogs and haven’t figured out that perhaps word gets back.
Anyway, Thanks, my message was delivered.
truthBknown on November 09 at 4:03 p.m.
The reason all these police are standing with Karl the Klubber is because all 48 of them have some kind of “blood” on their hands. They know they are eventually going to be exposed as was stated in the Los Angeles Times. (if you didn’t read it ~ you should) The LA Times stated that there were going to be more investigations. I believe the first will be suspected rapist Officer Jason Uberauga, who went into a bar, while driving a police car, got drunk and took photo’s of a woman’s breasts with a police camera and then raped her in the parking lot, October 17th, 2007. Spokane Sherriff’s Department officers were getting drunk with him. Anne Kirkpatrick fired him for “behavior unbecoming a police officer” but was later forced to re-hire him. Certain SPD police have seen the outrage on this case from the public and are scared sh*tless! Hence the facebook “Support Karl Thompson” page , where if you post anything that is not glowing about Karl the Klubber you are automatically blocked. Like I said…”scared sh*tless” The SPD ain’t seen nothin’ yet!!
mary1958 on November 12 at 2:47 p.m.
Dog gone, it was my letter to Tim Burns you backwardly quoted “frustrated.” Sitting in a court is one thing. After the verdict Karl Thompson was a convicted criminal. SPD policy says that officers are not to personally associate with such types of criminals. They should have just LEFT. Zehm’s family was in the room. Try to remember that Otto: 1) Did nothing wrong, B) Died at the hands of a man who did NOT use proper procedure in confronting a suspect he obviously felt threatened by. Zehm’s family have all lost a dear relative and the guy who instigated this death has been said IN A COURT OF LAW to have caused it inappropriately. On top of that they have 50 POLICE OFFICERS saluting such criminal. Wrong. Just wrong. No empathy. Who am I to even speak. Well, I’m a citizen. I’m a former SPD officer who quit when I couldn’t take looking at another blue suit with a badge on it. Mar 1988-December 1991. I was on the Dignitary protection Team, the Negotiating Team, The TAC Team and I taught at the Spokane Police Academy. I had 5 letters of commendation. Considering the type of call, the fact that Otto had not fled the scene, and the fact that he was shopping holding a Coke bottle— why oh why couldn’t Thompson just have TALKED to him? Maybe my length of services doesn’t convince you I deserve to comment. I have run foot pursuits, car pursuits, had a knife pulled on me and waited long enough to tell her to drop it, been in brawls, served warrants, posed as a hooker, entered dark buildings alone, caught burglars red-handed, and this was the bad guy’s doing. I have been bullied, insulted, pushed around, lied about, and raped. This was the thin blue line’s doing. There are Cop-thugs and there are Cop good guys but all are silent, very silent when it comes to ratting on each other. Changing the system has to come from the outside.