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October 4, 2011 in News, City
Zehm trial will be moved to Yakima
Officer Karl Thompson
(Full-size photo)
A federal judge Tuesday moved the upcoming criminal trial of Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. to Yakima after defense attorneys raised concerns about the extent of local media coverage of the controversy surrounding the fatal confrontation with Otto Zehm.
U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle also ruled to exclude Spokane County from the jury pool. Potential jurors will be selected from a portion of Adams County and all of Franklin, Walla Walla, Yakima, Kittitas, Benton and Klickitat counties.
While Van Sickle said he’s not persuaded that the publicity has created “actual” or “perceived” bias against Thompson, he decided to move the trial nonetheless.
“There has been a great deal of publicity in the community,” Van Sickle said. “Yakima is not that far away.”
Yakima is about 200 miles southwest of Spokane.
Thompson is scheduled to appear for trial on Oct. 11. He faces felony charges of lying to investigators and using unreasonable force during the March 18, 2006, confrontation with Zehm, a 36-year-old schizophrenic janitor who died two days later.
Van Sickle sided with the defense in all major decisions Tuesday.
Defense attorneys had attempted to exclude the testimony of Assistant Chief Jim Nicks, who was acting chief at the time.
Van Sickle said he will allow Nicks to testify, but the assistant chief can’t offer testimony on whether Thompson violated department policy. That testimony is “irrelevant and becomes confusing for the jurors,” Van Sickle said. “It’s not something that needs to be addressed or should be addressed by Nicks or any other witness.”
On the night of the incident, Nicks made public statements that Zehm “lunged” and “attacked” Thompson, and that Thompson had followed department policy. But Nicks later told a federal grand jury that Thompson’s use of force violated department policy and that his department conducted a shoddy investigation of the incident.
Thompson, responding to an erroneous report that Zehm had stolen money from an ATM, approached Zehm inside the Zip Trip at 1712 N. Division St. and began striking him with a baton. Six other officers responded, hogtied Zehm and placed a plastic oxygen mask over his face to prevent him from spitting. Zehm stopped breathing and did not regain consciousness.
The judge was asked to reconsider his previous ruling that barred prosecutors from telling the jury Zehm had not committed a crime on the night of the incident.
Victor Boutros, a trial attorney with the Department of Justice, previously argued that evidence of Zehm’s innocence was necessary to show that Zehm had no reason to expect a police officer would be coming for him. The issue caused a delay in the case as federal prosecutors sought guidance from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Van Sickle’s ruling but said his reasoning gave the appellate judges “pause.”
Van Sickle said if he allowed the evidence of Zehm’s innocence, he likely would give Thompson’s defense attorneys the opportunity to explore the issue. The result would be a “waste of time to determine whether or not Mr. Zehm had committed a crime,” the judge said.
He noted that appellate judges ruled that the evidence was not necessary for prosecutors to prove their case.
While Van Sickle previously ruled that attorneys on both sides could not reference Zehm’s schizophrenia, prosecutors had sought to include evidence of Zehm’s cognitive delay as part of their argument that he would be slow to react to an officer rushing at him with a raised baton.
Van Sickle denied the motion. “I think intellectually, these concepts are distinguishable,” he said referring to the difference between mental illness and mental capacity. “But … I don’t believe you can separate part of a person without including all of it.”
Van Sickle also denied several motions to exclude the testimony of defense experts. He ruled, however, that one defense expert, Dr. Dan Davis, could not testify about his opinion of the cause of Zehm’s death. Davis, a forensic pathologist, said in a court filing that he believed Zehm stopped breathing just a few minutes after two other officers applied downward pressure on Zehm while he was hogtied.
Zehm’s “cause of death is not relevant,” Van Sickle said. “But (Davis) can testify whether Zehm received a blow to the head or neck.”
At the end of the hearing, Van Sickle asked the attorneys whether plea negotiations were under way.
Boutros, the Justice Department attorney, told the judge that attorneys have had “conversations … but we have no resolution regarding that matter.”
Defense attorney Carl Oreskovich said: “We are preparing for trial.”
When asked after the hearing to respond to the judge’s ruling for the defense on all of the major motions, Oreskovich winked and laughed out loud as he walked to a waiting elevator.
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The_Seer on October 04 at 9:18 a.m.
Sheesh, I thought the constitution included a right to a jury of one’s peers? Where else will the court be able to round up twelve cops who’ve murdered citizens?
Van Sickle needs his head examined. I’ve been producing a film of this horrible tragedy for close to four years and whenever people ask me what I’m currently working on I’m met mostly with blank stares. This is ludicrous and an admission of failure of this court to not be able to seat a jury in the jurisdiction where this crime ALLEGEDLY occurred.
Slightlyworried on October 04 at 9:24 a.m.
Will the jury even be told that Otto died?
Al_Loysius on October 04 at 9:31 a.m.
Seer, a little information here. This is a federal case, not a state case. If it were a state case the proper venue would be Spokane County. Instead it is a federal case in the Federal District of Eastern Washington. Therefore, technically the proper venue is anywhere in the 20+ counties that make up the Eastern District.
There is nothing particularly unusual here. If the jurors have to be drawn from outside the Spokane media area because of pre-trial publicity, then it is going to be cheaper and more convenient to go to a place where jurors don’t have to be transported and put up in a hotel for 8 weeks.
It won’t be that hard to pack up your film crew and go to Yakima. I hear there are some great Mexican restaurants there.
opiemuyo on October 04 at 9:38 a.m.
Pfft, we should go after the ones that tried to bury this crime also, including the mayor.
Albert on October 04 at 9:40 a.m.
Mr. Thompson, Mayor Verner, Mr. Nicks, and Mr. Oreskovich will have their day of Justice…it’s found in Revelations 19. Until that time good friends, we will never see true justice performed in this matter. My sincerest apologies to Mr. Zehm.
Our Mayor, City Council, City Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney, and entire SPD, are without conscience, or integrity.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on October 04 at 9:43 a.m.
Sounds like the judge wants Mr. Thompson to win.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 9:56 a.m.
Seer,
This is a double edge sword. The jury pools in Spokane at least at the state level have been very pro police. This could be related to the cases as presented by the prosecutors with the exception of the Det. Harvey case that just squeaked through re filing criminal charges in the first place.
The people in Yakima may not be drinking the same water that the Spokane citizens do or it’s at least diluted by the time the water reaches there;-)
Opiemuyo,
Yes I agree all who were complicit and or aided and abetter in this coverup up to the Mayor should be investigated and if appropriate indictments filed.
Shadedmuse on October 04 at 9:59 a.m.
this case needs to be tossed, thus is a non story and non case, their is no case but a case of wasted tax payers money. if you threaten a cop, then go you will go to hell.
westerly on October 04 at 10:00 a.m.
Good old boys network including judges, et al, is running smoothly.
brianrbreen on October 04 at 10:06 a.m.
@Al_Loysius
There is that one real close to the court house, can’t remember the name of it great chile relleno. Likely not all the jurors will be from Yakima County, just not Spokane county.
brianrbreen on October 04 at 10:10 a.m.
Well the Mayor and the Chief had the case figured out back in March 2009.
March 1, 2009: Mayor Mary Verner and Chief Kirkpatrick publicly declare their support for Officer Thompson. “I’ve looked into the details surrounding this incident,” Verner says in an interview with The Spokesman-Review, “and I just don’t think the behavior of the officer rose to a criminal behavior.” Says Kirkpatrick: Thompson “has my unequivocal support. Based on all the information and evidence I have reviewed, I have determined that Officer Karl Thompson acted consistent with the law.”
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 10:13 a.m.
For those reading here for the first time I’ve linked to the recent media coverage on this case including Mayor Verner’s, I’m sorry but I will call a “shovel a shove” - lied to the press.
From my latest post:
Hello Spokane - Are you listening? Otto Zehm is only the tip of the iceberg of what is rotten at the core of Spokane
http://tinyurl.com/3k4ujut
Shadedmuse on October 04 at 10:18 a.m.
The Mayor is right, the Their is nothing Criminal in this case but a waste of tax payer dollors on a wasted trial, come on tea-baggers why aren’t you out raged? I know because Obama is not wasteing the money on an Useless trial, its a white guy who is wasting the money on a trail and witch hunt. their is no story here Thompson will be found NOT GUILTY because he is, and their is no criminal actions here Otto got what he deserved for threatening two girls and the police.
yourkiddingme on October 04 at 10:21 a.m.
they may get a guily verdict easier in yakima where they dont tolerate police misconduct. otto will get his day of justice. vansickle likely wants to remove an issue for appeal by moving the case. boutrous is a good attorney, he will get the job done. as an attorney, this is all he does. ignore shadedmuse he is a fan of knightstick now and ask questions later.
Dazzeetrader11 on October 04 at 10:30 a.m.
Terrible ruling. When the jury canno tknow Thompsen violated internal standards (this is key), it sorta lets him off the hook. It becomes an “unfortunate accident”.
Not good. Sets the stage for a negotiation. Verner, Nicks…etc. will be spouting they did nothing wrong because he didn’t violate standards. Just not justice.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 10:31 a.m.
Shademuse,
LOL I do like your view of the world. You may be right.
It’s a crap shoot whether Ofc. Thompson will be found guilty on the principal federal criminal charge of violating the civil rights of Otto Zehm. On the other hand unlike local and state LE investigators, the feds have the “mulligan” of lying to federal investigators. This can come indirectly with/from false statements made during a state investigation.
At the civil level this was definitely a wrongful death and perhaps criminal at the state level - one of the degrees of manslaughter.
I will be willing to bet the feds will get a conviction on this just like they did in the Martha Stewart and Scooter Libby case.
Slightlyworried on October 04 at 10:44 a.m.
Now that I think about it, telling the jury that Otto was only carrying a soda bottle is prejudicial. Or mentioning that Otto was hog-tied and the officers placed their knees on his back preventing him from breathing is prejudicial. And of course mentioning that they placed a mask over his face that severely restricted his breathing is prejudicial. And the video-tape can’t be shown to the jury because it contradicts what Thompson told investigators afterwards. The more I think about it, none of the evidence can come in to guarantee that Thompson gets a “fair” trial.
norpass on October 04 at 10:50 a.m.
Spokane can’t provide twelve impartial jurors? Doesn’t speak to highly for the good people of Spokane. However, this is really how the “lawyers” game the system. Shop the trial for a convenient venue and done is done.
Only highlights the adage, ‘no justice no peace’.
GDodd on October 04 at 10:53 a.m.
I just hope the FEDS lock into the Dodd case it stinks of another coverup
Shadedmuse on October 04 at 11:36 a.m.
Dodd like Otto got what they deserve, SPD does its job to protect the town from the ilk like Dodd and Otto.
misjustice on October 04 at 11:36 a.m.
I think the main point of the case is “what did the officers know at the time of the confrontation”. They were told this man…deliberately pointed out by two girls…had just robbed an ATM machine & that he had entered the Zip Trip. The man was confronted by an officer…..with no other details other than the girls pointing him out….and Zehm was defiant. The officer did not know he had mental issues. How could he know??
Other officers that arrived knew only that the man was identified as stealing & he was resisting arrest. Mistakes were made, this is a given. But it all began with what was told to the police. They didn’t know anything else as being true.
Because of this…..I believe he will be found not guilty. On the other hand, the two girls that identified him should be brought up on charges instead of being let go. Their actions caused the domino effect & the death.
On the reasoning of transferring it to another county? Have you actually read the blogs? Just read your comments here. There is no way this county would find someone that hasn’t heard about this case & formed their own opinion. So good for the judge letting them make a change of venue. Maybe they will actually get a “fair” trial. But either way many of you will still believe what you want if he is found not guilty by someone that hasn’t been persuaded by the local media.
My opinion is that The_Seer is really upset about the move because he will have to travel if he continues to make a film that he hopes to make money on the back of the death of a man. BooHoo……
The_Seer on October 04 at 11:40 a.m.
Who is the D-bag with the crossed arms and shades in front of Thomspon? He gets body guards? Really?
Didn’t shadedmuse state he works for DOJ?
On another note, I recently changed my life’s motto from “Live, Laugh and Love” to “You only live once so you might as well have big arms!”
The_Seer on October 04 at 11:44 a.m.
justme: Yeah, that’s about it. What a tool. The judge won’t allow media with cameras at the trial anyway and I’m not interested in what happens to Thompson. I’ve always been more interested in humanizing Otto so that he doesn’t end up being defined by what Thompson and others did to him. My company is a non-profit and I doubt I’ll recover my expenses from this project. Thanks for playing though.
brianrbreen on October 04 at 12:02 p.m.
@JustMeAgain
Apparently your view differs from Nicks, Uberuaga, Boothe, and S. Lesser who according to their Jenks Act statements will testify that Thompson’s use of force was “objectively UNREASONABLE” and his sworn statement to Ferguson was not supported by the video evidence. Apparently they won’t be able to testify that his actions were a violation of SPD Policy, but it appears they will be able to testify that in their expert opinion Thompson’s actions didn’t meet the “objectively reasonable” standard.
I’m curious to know if you feel that baton blows to the head (which are considered lethal force by every law enforcement agency) on a retreating suspect trying to protect himself from the blows would meet the objectively reasonable standard.
misjustice on October 04 at 12:05 p.m.
A non-profit (NPO) doesn’t mean you are doing this for nothing or for charity. A nonprofit organization is an organization that does not issue stocks but can/does have a surplus of funds to use. NPOs have controlling members or boards & most have paid staff which includes management. (Are you a manager/owner therefore making a profit for yourself & taking a wage?)
An NPO can legally trade at a profit, the term Not-for-profit is often considered more appropriate tho than Non-profit. The extent to which an NPO can generate income may be restricted. Nonprofits therefore are typically exempt from income and property taxation. NPOs may internalize profit in the form of comparatively good wages or benefits to those working with them.
Therefore you can make a profit on your film even “if” your company is a “non-profit”. Just a play on words for tax purposes. Therefore that doesn’t impress me either.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 12:10 p.m.
JustMe,
See my comment at 11:36. Yes it’s all about what the officers knew at the time. This was dispatched as basically a suspicious circumstance call.
I can only say I would have handled it differently. I probably would have watched Otto from a distance and waited for him to leave the store unless something occurred in the store that required immediate intervention.
I would have approached Otto from a distance keeping my guard up. Had some verbal exchange with him. Unless he made a sudden move for his pockets or charged me I would have continued talking with him. Probably after a few exchanges I would have realized he was mentally challenged.
I would have temporary detained him while other officers located the two girls. Once I determined that no crime occurred I would have just noted his name for a FI card (field interview card or similar). I would have let him go on his way.
I disagree that anything should be done with the girls its the police’s job to sort things out. The girls felt something was wrong so I wouldn’t want citizens reluctant to call the police with they see something suspicious under the onus of being charged.
Just sayn’
misjustice on October 04 at 12:17 p.m.
Lets’ see……..who are Nicks, Uberuaga, Boothe, and S. Lesser? Officers that may be brought up on charges for their part in this? Will I give my opinion on one person to save myself? You bet ‘cha! But that is just that…my opinion. Just their opinion. The courts will finally make a decision & it won’t be a local jury because there is no way in h*ll that Thompson can get that fair trial in this county.
There were many officers involved in this. Not right to single out just one & I go back to taking the blame right back to the girls that accused him. If you are going to charge one then they must all be charged. Fair is fair & I don’t care who was first at the scene.
BTW, for those that wonder. I have never met any of the people involved in this fiasco. Don’t know any of them even through friends or family. I have nothing to profit from my point of view & taking an interest in the case. Justice needs to be done but justice needs to be for both sides thus taking this out of Spokane County.
misjustice on October 04 at 12:23 p.m.
Ron. All I can say is none of us were there. Hindsight is a wonderful tool. You can say what you MIGHT have done but you will never know what you actually would have done because you weren’t there.
Armchair quarterbacking is great. So is “shoulda”, “coulda”, “woulda”. Let the facts come out in trial. If he’s found guilty, then good for the jury. If he’s found innocent, then good for the jury. Either way we have a judicial system that will figure it out & those in this county trying him in the papers & on these blogs means nothing.
Let the justice system work…….then someone can say, “I told you so”.
brianrbreen on October 04 at 12:44 p.m.
@JustMeAgain
I have no problem with the trial venue in Yakima, as a matter of fact I think It’s a good move. I even mentioned it might happen before the decision was made.
I don’t know if you noticed, but Thompson’s expert Dr Daniel Davis (forensic pathologist) is expected to testify that Otto’s death was caused by the officers sitting on top of him while he was hogtied. That opens a whole can of worms doesn’t it. Keep in mind though this isn’t a murder case it’s a CRV and Obstructing case.
misjustice on October 04 at 12:58 p.m.
But if he is found guilty of this it opens a whole new court case for the wrongful death suit brought by his family. Not guilty means family will more than likely not win damages against Thompson.
If Thompson is found guilty then all involved should pay for their wrongs. But Thompson is not the only person that has been accused of making false statements. He is, however, the only person charged.
You see…I believe the city, county, whomever, is looking for a scapegoat & Thompson is the one that has been offered as the sacrificial lamb.
yourkiddingme on October 04 at 1:01 p.m.
justme- Basic law enforcment training has it outlined as ron mentiond for the specific situation. I dont think he is armchairing it as you state as any other LEO would have done it diffrently had they been presented with the same situation. I guess with the exception of the LAPD who has a long history of not looking out for the citizens. POST Training states that you need to use the least amount of force possible to diffuse the situation. If Thompson was affraid a pop bottle was a weapon then, maybe he needs to retire and go to work at mcdonalds
The_Seer on October 04 at 1:02 p.m.
justme: Yeah, I’m almost certain there will be droves of people across the land clamoring to pack movie theatres to watch a documentary about an obscure subject that takes place in an equally obscure part of the U.S. This will place my name and company in the pantheon of great film makers, alongside Welles, Ford, Kubrick, Morris, Fellini, et.al. Who knows, maybe next spring I’ll be standing on the stage at the Kodak Theater stating “I’d like to thank the Academy….”
Why do you need to be up in my financial business anyway? Is it a slow day monitoring who is taking cuts in the lunch line?
The_Seer on October 04 at 1:04 p.m.
I believe the civil suit names the City of Spokane as defendant.
Just sayin’….
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 1:05 p.m.
JustMeAgain,
True. However what will be given to the jury to decide is that did Ofc. Thompson know and based on his training, education and experience was his actions a reasonable response. I have some experience based on my own training, education and experience so say what that standard should be.
Based on what I know from the published reports my opinion is that Ofc. Thompson is outside of what would be considered the normal standard of care/response in several ares.
This is for a jury to decide after hearing all the evidence and testimony based on a reasonable doubt standard in the criminal trial. On the other hand administratively Ofc. Thompson could be terminated for being outside of policy based on the much less burden of proof standard some where between probable cause and reasonable but way below the beyond a reasonable doubt standard of a criminal case.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 1:18 p.m.
JustMe,
Like I said the feds may not get their conviction on the CRV charge but most likely will get their lying to investigators. The $64 question is whether they will go up the food chain to get any that were complicit and or aided/abetted in the overt coverup for obstruction of justice?
The criminal trial while will have some impact on the civil case, please remember the standard of proof in a civil case is by preponderance. Further under state law this would be considered a wrongful death action. The Mayor should have pulled the plug on the civil case once she read, if she did, the federal proffer in April of 2010.
The Mayor’s decision and subsequent digging in her heels at probably the direction/recommendation of Delaney and Treppiedi will cost the City dearly - you an me taxpayers.
If the Mayor has any spine she would immediately fire Chief Kirkpatrick, Asst. Chief Nicks, City Attorney Delaney and Asst. City Attorney Treppiedi.
But what do I know I’m only the 800 lbs guerrilla in the room.
Just sayin’
brianrbreen on October 04 at 1:29 p.m.
@JustMeAgain
As far as people posting on here expressing their opinions, I think it’s only fair since Mayor Verner said she “had looked into the details surrounding the incident” and expressed the opinion “I just don’t think the behavior of the officer rose to a criminal behavior”, and Chief Kirkpatrick publicly stated “”he (Thompson) has my unequivocal Support “. Kirkpatrick went on to say; “Based on all of the information and evidence I reviewed, I have determined that Officer Karl Thompson acted consistent with the law”. They certainly have a right to express their opinion, and those that don’t share that opinion have a right to express theirs. I personally, right or wrong ,share the opinion of the FBI and DOJ
I still find it odd that even though both criminal and civil cases were going on when Verner and Kirkpatrick made those statements in support of Thompson they now say the can’t talk, odd isn’t it.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/mar/01/otto-zehm-case-at-crossroads/
misjustice on October 04 at 1:47 p.m.
The object of the article & my postings are that this change of venue is justified. There will not be an impartial jury in this county as most of us have formed an opinion.
& Seer…. I could care less where you make your money. I do care tho that you try to play the “non profit” card as being a charitable thing to do when you are making money working for “the good of the people to get the word out”.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 1:57 p.m.
@JustMeAgain 1:47PM
I agree as I said up thread it’s probably well that this case is being moved out of Spokane but this could be a double edged sword for the defense. This won’t be an issue on appeal should there be a conviction.
yourkiddingme on October 04 at 2:00 p.m.
on that you are dead on, ill stand next to you and say that thompson cant get a fair trial in spokane but, yakima isnt gonna take kindly to accused bad cop. I think he will be the first to fall from the group. SO will be safe for now as they dont have an active federal investigation on them
KnowItAll47315 on October 04 at 2:53 p.m.
It appears the judge is attempting to hogtie and squeeze the air out of the case. I’m guessing that will backfire. If not and if I were a juror and found out later what info was kept from me to slant a trial, I would be outraged.
misjustice on October 04 at 2:57 p.m.
Good, at least now Krybaby Karl can’t complain that he didn’t get a fair trial; UNLIKE OTTO, who never had a measure of fairness in this entire sickening circus.
MikeA on October 04 at 3:32 p.m.
Reading most of these comments and the ones on the Knox case makes me realize just how bad (or completely missing) our basic government/civics education has become in this country, and what a cushy deal lawyers have for guiding the unknowing through the maze…at an appropriate billable rate of course.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 3:59 p.m.
KnowItAll,
I wouldn’t be so quick to conclude that the judge put the prosecution at a disadvantage. The move to Yakima as we’ve discussed was a likely move, the limitation on the testimony of Chief Nicks is not all that hogtying and the issue of withholding the innocence from the jury of Otto is no big deal.
There will be a battle of police use of force experts re the baton strikes. As I said I will venture that it will be a stretch to find Ofc. Thompson’s use of the baton was within the norm as taught and trained. That’s not to say in a fight situation there won’t be unintentional head strikes. In the Creach case most use of force experts will question the technique of Ofc. Hirzel approaching Creach to deliver a strike with his weapon in the other hand. The jury will have to decide who to give credibility too.
Finally the CRV is all about what the officer knew and his/state of mind. Otto’s innocence is not relevant to this case as Ofc. Thompson did not know this when he first contacted Otto. Why the US Attorney’s Office made this an issue is not known to me.
DHF on October 04 at 5:52 p.m.
VanSickle is an idiot. Sounds like he wants to suppress all evidence that Zehm was innocent and murdered. Sounds like he wants Thompson to take a walk.
misjustice on October 04 at 6:11 p.m.
“At the end of the hearing, Van Sickle asked the attorneys whether plea negotiations were under way.
Boutros, the Justice Department attorney, told the judge that attorneys have had “conversations … but we have no resolution regarding that matter.”
I still believe that Krybaby Karl will take a plea deal, if for no other reason than to attempt to protect his pension.
Loved Carl O’s response, a wink and a Lol as he went to the elevator…yup, this is funny, very funny…or NOT!
The_Seer on October 04 at 6:45 p.m.
We are presumed innocent under the law of the land. Thompson did not witness Otto’s alleged theft and assumed he had done what the girls falsely claimed. That is not presuming innocence and his subsequent actions certainly demonstrate he’d already decided what happened. That’s not a cop’s job unless he/she witnesses a crime, right?
I remember calling the police at 3 a.m. one time when I heard my neighbor beating the daylights out of his wife. The police didn’t barge in with batons/weapons drawn based upon my phone call. They knocked on the door, separated the parties, conducted an investigation and then arrested the man. That’s how it’s supposed to work, not running into a nebulous situation brandishing a night stick.
crader72 on October 04 at 6:50 p.m.
The standard jury in Spokane County has the IQ of an eggplant and rightfully afraid of being harassed, beaten and tazed by Spokane’s finest if they return a guilty verdict. This is good if you’re rooting for a conviction.
BlondeSquawker on October 04 at 7:06 p.m.
….and when they git through doin’ that….Yakity Yak, don’t come back!
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 8:08 p.m.
Crader72,
Excellent point. I hadn’t considered that aspect of Spokane Nice before.
What works for the powers that be in this feudal society, goes for the sheriff and his deputies of the shire too. The time will come one day to storm the Bastille with pitchforks and shovels to restore a civil government that if of and for WE THE PEOPLE.
WE THE PEOPLE - the American Spring
http://tinyurl.com/3k4ujut
Ok just sayn’. I can fantasize;-)
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 8:15 p.m.
Ok there are many fine men and women as I’ve said many times before doing a very demanding job day in and day out. Mistakes will be made as they are only human. What we lack is LE leadership that will lead by example and demand excellence of the rank and file.
A leadership that won’t cover up mistakes perhaps at the direction of the City Attorney’s Office instead quickly acknowledged them, learn from these mistakes and make changes to minimize repeating them. A City leadership that tolerates and condones an inept and incompetent police command staff are also by their inaction complicit in these coverups.
Sunshinegurl on October 04 at 9:05 p.m.
@JustMeAgain - would you prosecute everyone who reported something that turned out to be nothing or just these girls? And to everyone who thinks you can’t get a fair trial due to media attention I have two words for you…Casey Anthony. In fact here’s two more Orenthal Simpson.
Slightlyworried on October 04 at 9:28 p.m.
@brianbreen You say, “Mistakes will be made as they [police officers] are only human.”
True. But most citizens called to jury duty refuse to believe a police officer could make a mistake. Furthermore, those 286 men freed by the Innocence Project all have one thing in common: police and/or prosecutorial misconduct. Oh, and they all had another thing in common—not a single police officer and/or prosecutor went to jail for that misconduct.
The thing I find most disturbing about police misconduct is the failure of fellow officers to report it when they see it. Until every act of misconduct is immediately reported, no one should trust anyone wearing a badge.
Ron_the_Cop on October 04 at 10:16 p.m.
Slightlyworried,
Having worked inside of the Thin Blue Line for over 35 years, I believe that the majority of those who serve are honest, dedicated and hardworking under very trying situations that most of the public seldom see. Yes I agree that the fictionalized accounts in the media/TV do lead to unrealistic expectations of the public. In some cases life does imitate art - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle a medical doctor fictional character Sherlock Holmes using medical knowledge, scientific instruments and deductive reasoning was the impetus for Scotland Yard to modernize.
My confidence in Spokane LE leadership is being sorely tested. See this latest in this ongoing saga:
Detective alleges witness tampering in civil suit against the city
See my comment to The Seer in this article’s comment thread:
This is beyond the pale. The Mayor if she has any spine should immediately fire Chief Kirkpatrick, Asst. Chief Nicks, City Attorney Delaney and his assistant Roco Treppiedi.
Ron_the_Cop on October 05 at 12:04 a.m.
There is a new thread for this article:
ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/oct/05/zehm-trial-moves-to-yakima/
brianrbreen on October 05 at 6:54 a.m.
@Slightlyworried
Please don’t confuse me with Ron_the_Cop, I’m the good-looking one. As far as The Innocence Project is concerned, you are absolutely right., and even though there should have been charges brought in some of those cases the statue of limitations had run in a number of them, making criminal charges impossible.
Ron_the_Cop on October 05 at 10:17 a.m.
What Brian don’t you like my trademark hat? ;-)
Ron_the_Cop on October 05 at 10:20 a.m.
Sorry the url link the newer version is broken. I chopped the beginning “h”:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/oct/05/zehm-trial-moves-to-yakima/
brianrbreen on October 05 at 2:36 p.m.
@Ron_the_Cop
It’s kinda like seeing the house from the fence, You have to decide whether or not you will take your guys statements, or go look for yourself and then decide what to do,