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Backwater justice

I’m a Gonzaga University and Washington State Sheriff Academy graduate, and for the life of me cannot figure out the insanity in this judicial backwater: A drunken off-duty police officer shoots a fleeing Shonto Pete in the back of the head for committing no crime, and faces absolutely no consequences for his actions.

Now, a homeowner shoots a fleeing felon and, by golly, that’s likely second-degree murder. I fully understand the academy training and state law regarding deadly force usage, and both of these men were wrong. So why is the “held to a higher standard” officer not in the Graybar Hotel?

And the city wonders why the public distrusts the whole system? Really? Really?

Chris Miller

Spokane

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