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SSCC #468 & #469 – DOJ

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The details of the following case are quite disturbing and honestly the people on trial are state sponsored criminals in their own right.  That said, if the allegations by the defense are true, that behavior by the prosecution is unacceptable.  Especially since it provides an avenue of escape for the guilty.  Here’s the details though:

The defendants then filed a motion with Judge Engelhardt for new trials, claiming that the government attorneys had “engaged in a secret public relations campaign … [to ensure] that public opinion would be inflamed against the defendants, and that the government’s version of the facts would be well known before anyone set foot in a courtroom.” This was done through leaks to the media about “the activities of the federal grand jury, the identities of targets, the status of plea negotiations, and other sensitive confidential information that became widely known publicly before trial.”

Some of these leaks, particularly those of grand jury proceedings and sealed proceedings, violated the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

There were also anonymous postings on Nola.com, the website run by the New Orleans Times Picayune, “both before and during the trial.” These postings “mocked the defense, attacked the defendants and their attorneys, were approbatory of the United States Department of Justice, declared the defendants obviously guilty, and discussed the jury’s deliberations.”

The two lawyers in question definitely should have known better and there was no actual ground to be gained by their behavior.  If anything this is like throwing a curve for the defense to hit on appeal.  No matter how I look at this, it stinks.

State Sponsored Criminal #468: US Attorney Salvador Perricone

State Sponsored Criminal #469: US Attorney Jim Letten

Because Federal Rules of Criminal procedure are for everyone else to follow.  Besides, they’re not really rules, they’re guidelines.  Especially if we’re trying to get our own out of a jam.

h/t Bob S.

SSCC #467 – Hatboro

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John Becker, 43, of Horsham, who had served as a Hatboro Police officer for 17 years prior to hisMarch 2011 suspension and his resignation in June 2011, was sentenced Friday afternoon following his guilty pleas in August to 18 charges, including 10 felony firearms counts, stemming from his arrest in May. 

15 days in Jail and a $1000 dollar fine is his penance for those crimes.  Given the firearms counts as well as the drug issues, I know that had at been anyone not involved in law enforcement, 15 years would have been the likely minimum.

But remember, they justice system is mainly upset he was dumb enough to get caught.  Otherwise everyone would have just looked the other way.

State Sponsored Criminal #467: John Becker

Because when you’re a cop, if you screw up and do something blatantly illegal, the system will make sure you don’t get a punishment like the rest of the population would see.  They will make sure to slap you on the wrist to make it look like they care.

SSCC #466 – McAlester

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Don’t worry about the officer though, he will receive more training and a 10-day suspension.   I highly suggest that he learn to control his monster.  While the woman did provoke a response, it is his duty to restrain himself to the correct level of force, despite what his monster may want.

State Sponsored Criminal #466: Officer John Doe

Because when you’re in law enforcement, the government will shield you when you cannot exercise proper self control.  The fact that there are good officers who can do their job and do it well while doing so won’t be used against you.

SSCC #465–Fort Worth

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During a rash of incidents involving Fort Worth police officers and alcohol, chief of staff Paul Henderson summed up the department’s frustrations when he declared: "We are absolutely fed up with dealing with this off-duty behavior."

That was in April 2010. Eight months later, despite mandatory alcohol awareness training for all police employees, two officers were arrested in a five-day period on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A year later, another officer faced DWI and gun charges. 

Early Saturday, Henderson himself was arrested on suspicion of DWI when a Department of Public Safety trooper saw him make an unsafe lane change near the Interstate 30/20 split in Parker County, a DPS spokesman said.

Nothing says law enforcement like, “Do as I say not as I do.”  You lead from the front and obviously this individual felt he could lead from the rear.  In retrospect at this point we now see why his officers were drinking and driving.  If their boss does it, why can’t they?

State Sponsored Criminal #465: Paul Henderson

Because in reality you just want the general public to think you care, when in actuality you don’t.

via Bob S.

SSCC #464–Williams

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The man, a transient from California who was intoxicated and combative, had been arrested at a local market, Nixon said. The man made threats of violence and struggled with officers.

Nixon stated that a chokehold on a handcuffed person, even when the person is combative, is against the department’s policy. Nixon said that when he went to suspend Starcevich to conduct an investigation into the policy violation, Starcevich resigned in late October.

Other officers saw the incident and did nothing.  The officer resigned after he discovered he was going to be suspended.    The other officers are currently under investigation for other issues.  Evidently this problem runs deep.  As I’ve said before, incidents like this merely indicate a much bigger problem.

State Sponsored Criminal #464: John Doe

Because by all means make sure that as little impact occurs when an officer does something wrong.  Make sure he can bow out gracefully and go repeat the mistake someplace else.

SSCC #463 – King County

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From the bench, Judge Arend noted, “Defendant King County’s lack of effort and pattern of deliberate indifference with respect to producing responsive information to Plaintiff Harris is reprehensible. This reckless indifference in its failure to produce these three documents – documents that were indisputably relevant – is the functional equivalent of intentional misconduct. Through its callous indifference to the court rules and their discovery burden, Defendant King County deceived the plaintiff and it deceived the Court.”

Go read the story, it’s heartbreaking and down right dispicable.  The fact the officers will not be held personally liable is most sickening.
State Sponsored Criminal #463: John Doe
Because by all means slam someone’s head into a brick wall.  The state will pick up the tab when it ends up you were dead wrong.

SSCC #7 – Officer Harless Update

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If you have to visit Canton Ohio, be advised that Officer Roid-Rage is heading back into the force.

Fired police officer Daniel Harless could get his job back if he gets medical clearance to return to work.

An arbitrator hearing Harless’ appeal ruled in the former patrolman’s favor. The 15-page ruling was dated Saturday and released by the city Wednesday.

So much for this post in the Accountabilibuddable tag.

And lets not forget that there have been other incidents within this same department.

Honestly, that town is becoming a serious 7 figure settlement waiting to happen.  Any department that willfully hires him is going to be looking at a lawsuit if he so much as sneezes on someone.

He had his opportunity at law enforcement and he blew it.  He can go work in fast food and flip burgers.

State Sponsored Criminal #7: Officer Daniel Harless

Because when an officer is caught blatantly abusing his power and the law he shouldn’t be held accountable because there’s always others who don’t get caught, how is it fair to them?

h/t JayG and OldNFO for the reminder

SSCC #462 – IMPD

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INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis police officer has been arrested on a drunken driving charge.

Officer Allen Johnson, 25, was pulled over for speeding just after 3 a.m. Thursday in the 5700 block of North Keystone Avenue, police said.

While it was in his personal vehicle, the history of the IMPD with DUIs causes this one to go on the count.

State Sponsored Criminal #462: Allen Johnson

Because it’s only really driving under the influence when you aren’t a cop.

H/t RobertaX