Ron Paul PCO tased trying to pray in church!
I haven't posted anything for a while, but last night something happened to my friend and his wife. So I'm posting this for him, more details will be available soon and we will be videotaping their story, however in the mean time here is his story.....
"You’ll never guess what going to church got me and my wife tonight. At Holy Cross, a Catholic church right near my home, the west end of Tacoma, Washington. We went to church to pray, and afterwards we went into the area between the chapel and the outside door to read literature.
My wife noticed a man praying in front of statue of Mary which had a partition which semi-obscured the mutual views. Then out of nowhere, the man demanded to know why we were here, to which my wife told them. “We’re here to pray.” He wanted to hear from me, but I would only tell him that we didn’t have to tell him why we’re here. Had it been the priest, of course I would have been delighted with the conversation. For no reason that we can fathom, he threatened to call the police.
We left and went to tell the priest, (who lives next door) about the weirdo, and after a minute or two about 12 police showed up and intended and succeed in splitting us up from each other’s side.
Without warning, they threw my wife on the ground and-when they got me away and out of sight-they tasered her. Now keep in mind that my wife was quite placid during this provocation. Yes, they did this, I’m told as she was on the ground, having been restrained by two much larger male officers. One officer had his hands on her neck, the other with hands on her feet. At that time I was then handcuffed. However I was never read my rights, nor was I being told that I was being arrested. I was then questioned. After a minute or two, I gave them my name and birth date (I had no legal reason to have ID), which irritated me, but I was more concerned about my wife so I was fairly serene regarding my own skin. I couldn’t see where they took her, which is a feeling hard to describe, and I think it’s important to impress that upon all of you who love liberty with all your heart. So anyway they put me in the back of a police car for I’d say 5-10 minutes. I could hardly believe how calm I was. Damn it, a man can’t pray without some paranoid weirdo calling the police? Police that were rude and showed callous disregard for neither their fellow citizen’s safety (my wife) nor the liberty of her mate.
They said they let me go because they checked out my name and looked for anything criminal, like a warrant, and since it was ok, that I was free to go.
Off I went and immediately discussed this with friends and family.
By the way, I am a Republican precinct committee officer in a heavily “democrat party” stronghold. A stronghold I might add that is actually socialist, hence the quotes. "
Newest update---still an an onging issue
The court date has been rescheduled several times, while I (the victim) interview attorneys, etc.,
The next hearing is for October 9th, rescheduled from Sept. 11th for two reasons: (1) the attorney I hired had to be out of town that day and couldn't get out of it, and (2) no one knows where the police report is. No, I'm not joking. Neither the Prosecuting Attorney's office nor the Dept. of Assigned Council has it. It will be interesting to see if it "surfaces" by the 9th.
This hearing is to deal with the criminal charge that I was the one obstructing a public servant (when it was the other way around, since I was at the church in my capacity as a PCO).
The civil charges against the police officer who assaulted me cannot be filed until this issue is dismissed out of court.
Btw, I still have ongoing issues with the injuries sustained from the assault, which are being documented for the civil case and I can't go into further detail without compromising the civil suit.
Update from the victim
The hearing was today at 1:30 pm. The prosecuting attorney did decide to go ahead and file charges (obstructing a public servant----hmm, as a PCO, what am I?)----it reeks of nothing but a fundraising expedition in my opinion. Worst case scenario, based on the police report, is a $350 fine and some required class (which I don't remember the name of, because it made no sense at the time).
So why have they bothered? My personal opinion: the prosecuting attorney saw a name he wasn't familiar with (I have to use my maiden name still, until my mother's estate is settled, because of her will; my husband's family is *very* well known in town), and thought I could be intimidated by a plea-bargain offer into paying money. The county corrections department here has been broke since 2005, and most of the injustices that go on in this county are--again, in my personal opinion---a matter of fundraising.
The police report was read after I stated, "not guilty." Not only is what I said completely left out and replaced with what my husband said (very different things, since I was being sat on by 2 big police officers), but it totally leaves out the fact that he tased me (which has to be included by law)---plus a few other things that happened, that have to be included by law by their nature (I'll have to check with the attorney first, to make sure mentioning them to anyone outside the law suit isn't going to give me less of a 'slam dunk,' so to speak). The civil rights violations here are legion, and I'd prefer to be in the best position as possible on every single one of them.
I will tell you that I will also be filing a suit for defamation of character against the parishioner who called the police in the first place. The police report states that he 'knew' we 'were unwanted on the property and that' we 'were high on drugs.' Since when is a Catholic not welcome when the chapel is open for a prayer vigil, and I don't think scolding him (the parishioner) about being loud in church qualifies in any way as being 'on drugs.' (For one thing, my Registered Nurse mother would come back from the grave if I even thought about doing anything like that, and give me a lecture I wouldn't soon forget. We're talking about a woman who I got in trouble with at age 44 for smoking cigarettes when I was 22---yes, you read that right; when I was 44, she found out that I had smoked cigarettes when I was 22, and I got in trouble anyway.) ---Anyway, I very obviously have all my teeth, no needle marks, and have a clear, lucid mind. In addition to being laughable, the police report is very badly written---which I'm sure will make it easier for my attorney, and just makes me grind my teeth over all the grammatical and syntax errors (I'm a Certified Teacher). The poster here who thought mine and my husband's account of what happened was disjointed ought to get a look at the police report.
I'm healing slowly from the damage the police officer caused when he body slammed me into the ground, and the tasing---I'm going back to the clinic tomorrow for a follow-up check so they can determine or rule out having to surgical lance any pockets of fluid from the contusions. We took pictures of the tase (and scorch) marks right away, and pictures of all the surface bruises when they were most visible. My knees are killing me, even with pain killers, so we'll see how that goes.
I should have an attorney hired by the end of the week. I'm interviewing one that is with the firm where I have a retainer, and also one that the bail bonds place recommended, who is very good about bringing civil liberties violations before the court here.
I am also going to contact a long-term friend who is a reporter at The News Tribune. They don't usually run a story until the law suit has been filed, so we'll she what she can do.
Watch your back, everybody. I expect that incidents like this (over-reacting from the police) will only increase. From my family who is in law enforcement in Washington state I can tell you that being presumed innocent until proven guilty is only on paper and not in practice anymore---especially if a cop says differently. The only time when they can be held accountable is when there are civil rights violations. And God help you if you're a teenager. Apparently, no one cares about them at all in this country (a 15 year old Seattle girl got swung around by her hair and beaten by a King County Deputy while in a holding cell---all on video---to the point that she had to have medical attention, and he only got charged with a misdemeanor---which means he can keep his job; no public outcry over a Deputy assaulting a minor, etc.; nothing; I'll see if I can find the news article link on that one and add it here.)
RE: I don't believe
I'm not sure exactly what it is that you can't believe here.
What three witnesses? The only witness was the priest. The guy (who was yelling in the chapel) who called the police was still inside the chapel. My dh was taken by several of the cops to the other side of one of the hedges. There is no way he could see what was going on (as he stated in his 'interview' by the original postee).
Fight back? How? I'm 5 ft 1 in, approx. 135, I'm clocked out of the blue and was face down in the grass with 2 big policemen sitting on me. I couldn't even lift my head enough to look around.
Apparently you are not an American or you would know that in this country, if any church is unlocked, anyone has the legal right to enter. Every church in this country is legal haven, shelter, or sanctuary---regardless if you are even a member of that faith or not. Also, weapons aren't allowed in any church in this country, because of the legal sanctuary laws.
Exactly what part of the story changes "a bit"?
Who's going to mob the cops? This is a large church, built in the '60s. The main sanctuary seats approx. 3000. Then there is the chapel, etc. There is a large St. Mary's garden with statues and water fountains. The priest's home is 3 stories and the bottom floor is (my estimation) at least 800 sq. ft. (The bottom floor in my house is 728 sq ft. and this is much larger.) There is also a large playground/parking lot combination, a school, the Rectory, a 5 car garage with a storage shed on one end that could fit another 3 cars inside, and a thrift store---all on the property. It is a huge, park-like setting.
This is a town of early risers (most people I know are up and out of the house by 5 am), so at 9:45 pm, they would have been asleep for at least an hour already---those that live within walking distance of the church. It is an old-fashioned residential area and the closest hospital is 4 miles away, in the downtown area.
Unknown church? All parishes in this town work together, so anyone who is a member of one knows where all the other ones are---and the hours that each chapel or sanctuary are open for people to come and pray or meditate. Also, each rectory is closed on different days of the week, so that there is always one open for anyone who needs help.
Being a Certified Teacher, I have to encourage you to go back and read the original post and my reply again. You've definitely missed things, and you need to keep in mind that, not being my attorney, there are things critical to the several pending law suits that I cannot divulge here in any way, shape, or form----so there is no way the 'whole' story is going to be posted here, or else I have no case against the cops.
What?
"or else I have no case against the cops"
....This doesn't make sense. What do you mean you have "no" case, if you are being serious, wouldn't you have the exact descriptions to put out and prove your case to that effect?
Where is this documented? Do you have a website or actual eye witness report of this, or similar incidents?
....I find the way you describe things using "hours of time" and "places" meeting with too many vague references, and not enough information, that would lead me to believe your story is plausible.
In similar stories, they at least would offer a video. Sorry but I'm very skeptical of anything relating to this story....and I've been well within church property before....they do nothing to you if you're armed. Never had any problems to speak of.....very odd situation you describe?
First you said, this incident took place outside the church grounds where one of the priests was praying. After that, you now altered it a bit to say this took place inside the "sanctuary" grounds of the property...which means no weapons or cameras allowed or something to that effect. (Doesn't sound plausible)
Again, you make this sound as if your story has changed two times regarding where it took place. I could picture cops surrounding you on the Church outskirts, but not inside the actual building or interior as you suggested. Unless you were talking about some specific church, or you were openly displaying a weapon, or some other type of incident was included with all of this.....I find the veracity of most of what you are saying, to...not make any sense to speak of at this time.
If you have pictures or video, or a real way to prove this..I'd be inclined to say otherwise. So far this does actually sound like a story, and it doesn't sound plausible for many reasons.
I don't believe you. I may believe you, if there was a website or proof of this documented like most people do with these incidents.
Yeah, it does make sense. If
Yeah, it does make sense. If he thinks the cops are going to lie to cover themselves, he's going to want to hide exactly what he has proof of in case he needs to use it to call them out later.
I presume the original poster will keep members of this forum updated on the latest news as it develops.
If this story faded into obscurity without another word, then I'd be suspicious. But the post does give specifics, and looks credible so far.
RE: Yeah, it does make sense
As I stated before, I would like to post the picture of the tase holes and scorch mark on the back of my left shoulder asap. However, that won't be until the weekend at least. I have an urgent issue with my mother's estate that requires my immediate attention for the rest of this week (a court hearing that was scheduled--in another county---2 weeks ago and cannot be changed).
I can tell you that I talked with the court that has jurisdiction on this matter earlier today, in person, and they told me that the prosecuting attorney had not yet decided to officially file charges even though the arrest paperwork states there is a charge. Here in WA, each case has to be reviewed by the prosecuting attorney to decide whether it is worth their while to go through with it. She told me that there would be no way for me to find out until the arraignment (which is Monday, since I was bailed out---otherwise it would have been the very next morning).
So as far as the police prosecuting me on their charge, I will find out in court Monday whether there are not going to be any charges persued on their behalf or I enter a "not guilty" plea and have an official hearing set.
protect yourself first, you
protect yourself first, you can tell the whole story with all the pictures at any time.
RE: What?
Video from whom? There was virtually no one there except cops---just myself, my dh, a newly hired (and rather old) priest in his pjs and socks. The loud man was still inside the chapel. This is a large, very park-like church compound in an older residential area, nowhere near a main street.
There was no priest praying, that I am aware of, at that time.
Excuse me for getting in teacher mode (I am one), but you need to go back and read the original post and mine again. You've obviously missed a few important facts.
And of course I can't divulge the intimate details here. Any logical person knows that the bulk of the evidence, beyond the initial report/interview, is kept for court. Particularly with assault charges pending (which is a felony), we are talking a jury trial. Too much said in the "press" (and yes, this venue counts as such) would not only muddy the jury pool but would be automatic grounds for having all the charges against the officer thrown out of court.
Don't buy it....
....I did do what you "said" and, it seems to me that the story continually keeps changing.
You originally spoke that you were directly in front of the Priest's home or hostel, up the staircase, speaking to this priest in the middle of a "Garden" or on the outskirts of the main hall.
However, you said that it was basically close to the ground floor and nobody else in the area could have witnessed this.
You then seem to have altered the story, by indicating the Priest's "hostel" is actually three stories or more high - making it very odd that he would be in a position that he could both see you, and easily take guests to and from the stairs.
The "priest" would presumably be up high on the second story if there was so many steps, this is what I assume from the original story. But you insist that it's more than 3 stories high. Also you did not say this originally, but if each area is really as connected as you say, then there should be at least two other witnesses direct in the vicinity who heard what the "cop" did to you and could tell their angle of the story.
Finally I find this to either be a very strange church in the way it was built, or assuming this is accurate, the sanctuary is right next to the Garden down the hall yet somehow the Priest couldn't be bothered to ask someone to investigate....he just stayed inside his "hostel", while others would surely have heard you and the priest talking and would have heard the violent incident.
In the first original story, it was not explained very well that the priest has only worked there for two weeks. How do you know truly how long someone has worked there for? Then you started to say well he may have been there before that, but if that was the case why didn't he just call security to go check out the sanctuary instead of start talking to you and then immediately back away when the police showed up?
It's either the sanctuary is right next door in which case they would hear all of this, or it's clear down on the other side of the church like you said when you seemed to change the story. I don't believe the priest could have witnessed this so easily, if he was up at the very top of a long staircase, and for him to be at the ground floor but still be at the stairs...then there's no way it could have been three stories high.
I get the picture in my head of a very unusual church and/or a story that just doesn't quite add up. I will look forward to reading about the court case if and when that is available, but am not inclined to believe it until that has happened.
RE: Don't buy it
Dude, you need to go back and read again.
What home has the front door on the 2nd floor, as you state? You are really confused here. It's a typical, early 1900s American home, with a full front porch and 3-4 steps down to the walkway. The church proper is next door to it. If you had read my description thoroughly, you would have noted the "park-like grounds."
Security? What security? I've never heard of a church having their own security.
The priest had only been working there for 2 days, prior to this incident. He never backed away--I never said what he did (he just stood in the doorway).
The other priest, who'd worked there for years, had recently had a "celebrating 50 years of Ordination" ceremony and then retired. Not only did my dh know this long-term priest well, but it was a dual ceremony with one of my closest friends in the Catholic community---another priest well-known for his outspokenness over the Bangor nuclear submarine base over on the Peninsula. That priest (the outspoken one) is also a very dear friend of my dh's grandfather. I am priviledged to say I have had the opportunity to wash Father Bill's feet in a foot washing service before, and at 80+ years (and a heart condition) he refuses to slow down.
May I ask exactly where you are from? The concepts of American urban/residential communities and their architecture, plus the social structure of the various branches of the Catholic community seem to be foreign to you. I was not always a Catholic, yet both previous denominations I was a member of, we not only knew all the other local congregation's staff but also many of those in the neighbouring states (like Idaho and Oregon). This has held true with every denomination I've been aware of (and I have attended Baptist and Presbyterian congregations when I was living too far away from my own). I am a native of Southern California, and spent my childhood split between Georgia and North Carolina. I've spent most of my adult life in WA, and I have a daughter who spent several years in Philadelphia. I also had tons of penpals worldwide (including Eastern Europe) when I was in high school, and my non-Native American ancestors were in Canada and Switzerland only 2 generations ago----so I am not devoid of knowledge on how different areas/countries have different architecture, city lay-out, and social structure.
i saw another video today of
i saw another video today of a cop putting a man in a coma from washington. Like i said there, the ron paul support in washington is huge and they should be outraged that this kind of stuff is going on in their own backyard.
Your still pushing that
Story? Man get over it. The guy ran through city blocks and only stopped when he was tired. The cops ran him over. Its liken to charging someone for a long distance and the person just stops. What do you think would happen? The cops, after chasing him, would run past him and say okay lets sit down and chat. Seriously.
RE: Your still pushing that
The man only ran for 2 blocks, and only stopped when the police officer grabbed him by the neck and slammed his forehead into a brick wall.
The cops here don't 'chat." They act first, and then try to apologize later. There are a few exceptions, but I'd be hard pressed to give you more than 3 off the top of my head. That's for Seattle and Tacoma lumped together.
Absolutely..
They should press charges and go after them to get their licenses revoked, no question. But only on real abuses like that video that was broadcast out of Seattle. Those are obvious.
And to all those who
Cannot do their own homework please read this article on what really happened.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/19531743/detail.html
And I paste for those who are blind to the truth
"Harris then took off running. Urquhart said the deputies, who were in full uniform, told Harris to stop and identified themselves as police. They chased Harris for a few blocks and eventually he slowed down in front of the Cinerama at Fourth Avenue and Lenora Street."
Please save your insults for those who cannot critically analyze reality.
I am
Impressed. Many here are using their critical thinking skills and not allowing the emotional side of their minds to take over. This is brilliant!
Question everything. Never take anything at face value.
To those who are asking questions and demanding answers I salute you. We need more citizens like yourself. If we had more critical thinkers in this nation we would all benefit from it.
To all those admonishing those using their critical thinking skills I say this.
Why are asking questions such a bad thing?
Thanks for posting an update
from the victim of this assault. Please keep us informed as you're able.
I like to know....
I like to know what that guy in the church said to 911 to get such a response.
RE: I'd like to know . . .
Yes, especially considering that this is the town that "originated" that guy that shot all those people in Washington DC years ago.
The tv news stations interviewed his former neighbours after he was caught. They said they were always calling the police because he would target practice in his backyard every afternoon, in one of the crowded residential areas. The neighbours all said that the cops wouldn't show up until 2 or 3 days later, look over the fence and say, "nothing going on here," and leave.
There used to be a meth lab up on the next block from my house and everyone knew what was going on. Several, 3 or 4, of us would call the police---both when the stench from him "cooking" hung over the entire neighbourhood, and when there were suddenly tons of cars that came seemingly out of nowhere and left 5 minutes later.
His next-door neighbour (a friend of mine) told me that she saw a cop only show up once. The officer came through her yard, looked over the fence, saw the guy in the back yard, and said, "Someone called and said you were making drugs here. Is that true?" The guy said, "no." The officer said, "ok" and *left.* I kid you not. A few weeks later, he got arrested---not for drugs, but for operating a paint and body shop in a residential neighbourhood. Three days later (a peaceful Sunday morning), his upstairs bedroom literally exploded. Apparently, he'd left the chemicals next to the window in the sun.
So yes, I can't wait to find out what the 911 transcript says.
comment from the tas-ee
I've taken the muscle relaxer prescribed by the doctor, and it is very late, so bear with some possible fuzzy thinking . . . . .
Where to start . . . as we were finishing filing our complaint with the priest (who had only been in the job for literally 2 days; the previous priest having recently retired)----trying to impress on him that the man was being so overtly inappropriate in the chapel that he needed to be removed immediately, regardless of whether the priest knew who he was yet or not . . . this is when the multiple police cars arrived.
My husband walked out onto the lawn, from the priest's residence porch, and began talking to one of the officers. As I finished talking with the priest, the officer in question motioned for me to come down the stairs. I did; however, he said nothing, so I spoke to the other office who was obviously the one 'in charge' on this call. (Part of my family have been in law enforcement in this state since 1983, so I know all the required procedures, etc..) I told him about our legal retainer and that the proof of that was in my husband's pocket. I stood back from my husband, with my hands at my sides, and was listening to him as he began to say, "Would you . . .. ?"
It is at this point that the officer in question came up behind me in my blind spot, karate chopped me in the back of the head, knocking me off balance. He then grabbed the back of my right thigh and my left wrist simultaneously (I am 5 ft. 1 in. tall, and approx. 135 lbs), picked me up off the ground and then body-slammed me face first into the grass . . .. at which point he handcuffed and then tased me.
Yes, the priest saw it. We were right on the lawn, only steps away from his front door. (Keeping the rest of my thoughts to myself there.)
There are some other things from that point which I will leave out, due to pending legal suits, but that is the basic statement and what I would give in any interview.
Medically: I have a possible mild concussion and multiple severe contusions, as well as several obvious surface bruises. Contusions are down the front of both legs, my back where the 2 officers pinned me down upon handcuffing, down both arms---front and back, from them wrenching my arms around to cuff, as well as the tase site. The worst 2 places are the back and sides of my neck and the back of my right thigh. (For non-medical people---my mother was a nurse---a contusion is a severe bruise deep inside the muscle, too deep to show on the surface.) My neck and leg are in such a shape that I have to have a follow up next week, to make sure that no pockets of fluid have begun to form in the contusions---this would require immediate surgery to lance. Just a light touch on either of these and I'm at the point of literally screaming in pain (and I have given birth to most of my kids at home, having a very high pain tolerance).
Also, my rights were not read to me until well under way to the jail for booking, at which point I had been in handcuffs for 45 mins. to an hour.
I've probably missed something someone said they needed to know this wasn't BS, but as I said, I'm sure I have some fuzzy thinking right now, due to the muscle relaxants. Plus it's past 1 am. Quite obviously, I didn't get much sleep last night.
There is a lot more I wish I could say, but can't. Believe me, as many possible law suits, counter charges, etc, will be filed asap. In case you're wondering, my user name means "I am a Republican" in the Creek indian language (Muskogee, using the English spelling). I am also part Swiss (German-speaking), Seminole, Cherokee, and Border clan Scots. I'll hear it from my dh when he reads this, about being too ethnocentric, but I am mentioning this to illustrate my tenacity in seeing this matter through.
Off to bed, so I can deal with lawyers tomorrow. P.S. The doctor says I will take weeks (not days, but weeks) to heal. If possible, a photograph of the back of my left shoulder---showing the taser-fishook marks and the scorch marks (from the 50,000 volts) will be posted later.
I don't believe...
You, or this story and it's not for lack of trying.
There's no witnesses....and it doesn't fit the picture of what would happen in one of those knock down-drag out situations.
So you're telling everyone, for no reason at all....they just call the police. And the police don't even check if you're armed, this one cop just lifts you up in the air like a WWF wrestler and nearly breaks your back....then tases you....and nobody except maybe the priest saw this happen?
Sorry but I have a very tough time....believing any of this.
If such an atrocity really happened, where are the three witnesses as well as the "police" report from each perspective?
Why in the holy blazes didn't you fight back if this was correct?
And since when do people randomly go to some church they're not supposed to be at, without being armed with for instance a taser gun??
People who would get themselves into that kind of situation, would document it with a camera, they would use their taser on the cop who was attempting it, run for the nearest hospital or place with tons of people & get help....at that point the cops wouldn't even bother.
This doesn't make any sense....You go to some unknown church...you aren't armed (mistake, probably) you attract a lot of attention to yourself...then suddenly for no reason at all, a bunch of police show up, and one of them lifts you in the air like a wrestler nearly busting your back....no photographs...no other "witnesses" but the priest....
And suddenly you change the story a bit.....I just don't think this actually happened. At all...It does sound like parts of it could always be possible, but not plausible....and I doubt people would stand around & say nothing while the cop lifted you up in the air....just like that
They would likely mob up on the cop, call for help, etc..The whole story sounds like a very fishy rendition of events designed to make "Ron Paul supporters" seem like "terrorists" or something ridiculous......
>-(
Too bad this story is so full of holes...
This story is so full of holes, containing so much open ended data, that one wonders why bother to post such confusion on DP... other than to rant about police. We need good local law enforcement, not fed cops, so we should do our best to encourage such.
Nevertheless, this second posting from the 'taz-ee' speaks of "were finishing filing our complaint with the priest (who had only been in the job for literally 2 days; the previous priest having recently retired)"... this speaks of much more foreknowledge and time spent than the "out of the blue" incident as first published here.
Next... "I told him about our legal retainer and that the proof of that was in my husband's pocket." What is this all about???
Next... "and was listening to him as he began to say, "Would you . . .. ?"... Would you what???
Next... "...came up behind me in my blind spot, karate chopped me in the back of the head, knocking me off balance..." That this could happen there is no doubt, but that it happened out of the blue again is far fetched!?! There is no logical connection so far.
Next:... we are given a play by play description in very precise terms of what allegedly happened... great description of the action, but no description of why!
Next:... "...counter charges..." What are the charges, and why counter charges?? Lawyers well involved already!
This could all be plausible and with the right information be explained. But, with such gaps, one again wonders why it is placed to take up space on DP for the world to cogitate on without factual information?
One might also consider that the first man was a priest also, that the arrested parties were really the perpetrators up to something who were apprehended, or that they were possibly drinking and wouldn't leave... which would explain the missing conversation... or arguments.
Hard to say, but then again they have thrown it up for speculation!
It is time to get back to the precincts... we have candidates and to elect in 2010, and Ron Paul to elect in 2012!
Focus folks, this is not the police blotter sheet!
"Suspicion is a Virtue, if in the interests of the good of the people." Patrick Henry
"We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone - it is to the... brave..."
RE: Too bad this story is so full of holes
What holes?
This isn't good local law enforcement. This is police brutality on innocent victims, not to mention an entire list of civil rights violations. Good cops don't fly off the handle like that. They think logically and critically and gather all the facts before they act. There was not one good cop in this incident at all. And that is typical of this town. It is a huge problem here and one the chief of police and city council routinely turn a blind eye towards----remember the police chief back in 2003 that shot his wife in front of their kids for filing for divorce and telling about his DV? That was on the news nationwide. It hasn't changed much here. They only cleaned things up enough so people would stop demanding corrections to these issues on a daily basis.
Of course the incident was out of the blue. However, that doesn't mean we weren't familiar with the church and who the priest was beforehand. My dh's parents were married in that church, and---as stated in another reply---all parishes in this town work together. We all know where the others are and when they are open.
The police are so bad here that if you don't announce, and prove, that you have an attorney already on retainer, they *will* harass the life out of you. That is why this should always be announced the minute an officer arrives on the scene. I personally know of police officers who have tased children here when a concern call was placed about those children. When I say it is bad, you really have no clue.
The lead office never finished his sentence because the other one clocked me out of the blue while he was in the middle of speaking. That's why he only said, "Would you . . .. "
Police brutality is always out of the blue. I'm confused why you would think otherwise.
As already stated, the other man in the church was just another Catholic taking advantage of the chapel being open for prayer. He was not a priest, caretaker, nor any staff member (I know all of them).
As already stated, the charge was "obstruction of an inquiry." Of course there are going to be counter charges. The police officer was obstructing a public servant (Precinct Committee Officer), assaulted that PCO, and infringed on several of the PCOs civil rights. Why wouldn't I have already contacted an attorney? I hate procrastination and am not one to let the grass grow under my feet.
Ron Paul PCOs drinking in church? You really can't be serious, that you could possible entertain for one moment that would ever happen? This puts your RP status in question, as far as I'm concerned. And---as previously stated----anyone has the legal right in this country to enter any church that is open.
Back to the precincts? This *is* the precinct. And how many more may be put off from being involved in their precincts, much less run for PCO, if this is going to be the treatment that they receive from those who have taken an oath "to protect and serve"? If we do not stand up and cry 'fowl' when officers step out of line like this, then we've got no business complaining when they come to collect us at our door.
The world has come to a sorry pass when a PCO can't join in prayer at a local, open, church without being accosted by people screaming in the chapel and then calling the police-----and this doesn't even take the assault into account.
As for supposed 'gaps' in the story, you, sir, are not my attorney and are not privy to that information. The intimate details that are 'missing' are critical to holding this felon accountable for his actions and hopefully prevent any such atrocities happening to others in the future.
Very sorry for you :(
Can you say what the charges were? Best wishes.
RE: Very sorry for you
The charge is "obstructing an inquiry."
I could speculate all day on how he came to that conclusion. He obviously didn't think before he acted. You never know who people are related to---for example, I have a close relative who works for the state attorney general's office.
Had he bothered to ask any questions, he would have realized the inadvisability of pursuing the matter any further. In that case, we wouldn't have had anything to discuss here.
Update on physical condition----I'm in quite a lot more pain today, with increased stiffness and more visible bruises. I have a follow up next week to make sure that I don't have any fluid pockets that have to be surgically lanced.
Thank you for your concern. It means a lot.
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I dunno
***********Ron Paul for POTUS 2012***********
*************Obama Is A Communist!************
**********Repeal the 17th Amendment**********
Double the size of the House of Representatives
We have lost the closeness of our Representatives.
***********Ron Paul for POTUS 2012***********
*************Obama Is A Communist!************
**********Repeal the 17th Amendment**********
Double the size of the House of Representatives
$$$$$$$$$AUDIT THE FEDERAL RESERVE$$$$$$$$$$
Did you go and get a police report?
***********Ron Paul for POTUS 2012***********
*************Obama Is A Communist!************
**********Repeal the 17th Amendment**********
Double the size of the House of Representatives
We have lost the closeness of our Representatives.
***********Ron Paul for POTUS 2012***********
*************Obama Is A Communist!************
**********Repeal the 17th Amendment**********
Double the size of the House of Representatives
$$$$$$$$$AUDIT THE FEDERAL RESERVE$$$$$$$$$$
RE: did you go and get a police report?
The attorney I hire will do that. I've had 2 telephone consultations, and will have 2 face-to-face consultations next week.
I want to make sure that I hire the right person, who can not only represent me on what the officer charged me with, but can also file the counter charges addressing the assault, civil rights violations, etc.
something fishy about this story
i don't like it either.
if is is true, however, then i recommend getting a lawyer and suing.