Judge: Take-down of suspected car thief 'akin to an execution

[Baitball Blogger]

An Orlando federal judge has likened the conduct of 10 deputies who killed suspected car thief Torey Breedlove in a hail of gunfire to an "execution" rather than an attempted arrest.

Breedlove was killed three years ago by Orange County deputies who were waiting for him at an Orlando-area apartment complex. His estate filed suit, claiming the deputies used excessive force and violated Breedlove's civil rights.

The case has not yet gone to trial, but in his order, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell suggested the deputies acted "unreasonably." The judge also was careful to note, however, that by law, all evidence in the case must be viewed "in a light most favorable" to Breedlove's estate.

The lawsuit stems from a Jan. 5, 2010 takedown that ultimately resulted in 137 shots being fired by deputies into a GMC Denali driven by 27-year-old Breedlove.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-orange-county-excessive-force-torey-breedlove-20130503,0,906347.story

[Baitball Blogger]

1. It took a federal judge to point out the obvious.

I believe there was a recent repeat scenario about a week ago where deputies killed a suspect with a hail of gunfire.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. 137 shots. Insane.

How could that ever be justified for even a convicted car thief?

[Baitball Blogger]

3. This is the quote I was going for:

"A reasonable jury could conclude that Officers used excessive force under these circumstances," Presnell said in his order. "A reasonable juror might also question why 137 shots were required to secure an unarmed suspect who drove a few dozen yards through a small parking lot, with a flat tire, at a relatively slow speed causing some minor fender-benders with unoccupied cars, and was pinned between two cars with his hands up."

[bemildred]

4. This happens all the time and it fucking well is execution. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

5. And because it took three years to reach this point, it happened again

about a week ago with another suspect.

I'll try to find that article.

[bemildred]

6. We get them here all the time, monthy at least, sometimes weekly.

Some dumb ass kid killed for contempt of cop or just not having the presence of mind to know that those assholes will kill him if he gives them the slightest excuse. Usually a person of color, but being white or having money is no guarantee either.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. What state are you living in?

Wow.

[bemildred]

8. Los Angeles. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

9. Of course. That would have been my first guess.

[bemildred]

11. When I was nine I was harassed by LAPD for not knowing how to talk to cops.

I didn't know I was supposed to be obsequious, which is what the bully-cops want, they live for it, the sucking up, and I got a ticket in consequence, my bike was not licensed. Big deal, right? But ever since then I have known that the cops are not my friends and are not there to help me, and I have been grateful all my life for that lesson. I have avoided interactions with the legal system all of my life, and most of my interactions with cops and lawyers have been civil to pleasant, depending, but I would never think for even an instant that it is safe to be around them, or that they can be trusted, or that they work for me.

[Baitball Blogger]

13. Amen to those last observations.

[gopiscrap]

10. I agree with the judge

fucking, arrogant, psychopathic cops are like this..they live for the kill and then they wonder why so many can't stand these assholes

[Dawson Leery]

12. Cops need to stop incited problems against themselves.