Here's the one question I'd like to ask the Ferguson police.

[Shemp Howard]

For the sake of argument, let's assume that every last thing that the Ferguson police have said is true:

1. Brown robbed a store just before the shooting.
2. When the cop stopped Brown, Brown punched the cop and tried to take his gun.
3. After running 35 feet from the cop, Brown turned and began running towards the cop.

So here's my question:

Don't the Ferguson police carry non-lethal weapons? Why didn't this cop use pepper spray, a taser, or a baton? Any of those three would be effective in neutralizing an unarmed man. If you've been pepper-sprayed, tasered, or hit by a baton, you'll know what I mean (in my younger years, I was pepper-sprayed).

I haven't seen the question asked anywhere, so I'm going to ask it. Why wasn't a non-lethal weapon employed here?

Side note: I think I know why. The cop was, at minimum, a coward. But I would like to see the Ferguson police chief try to answer my question.

[WillowTree]

1. How's a cop goinig to.......

......use "pepper spray, a taser, or a baton" on someone who's running toward him from 35 feet away (using your assumptions)?

Sad though it may be, I still don't think we (the general public) knows enough actual facts to make a legitimate guess as to what really happened in what order over a period of what may have been less than a minute. Too many unknowns, variables etc.

[Shemp Howard]

3. The cop needs to just wait a moment.

Both pepper spray and a taser are quite effective at a range of fifteen feet or so. The baton is obviously a close-in weapon. A person trained in baton use will have a great advantage over an unarmed charging man.

And remember, the cop is not fixed in place. He can dodge. He can move. A charging man is less able to do that.

As you said, we don't have all the facts. But my question negates that objection. I'm assuming that every last thing that the Ferguson police have said is correct. I am giving them every consideration before asking: why wasn't non-lethal force used?

[WillowTree]

4. OK. Here's a question I haven't seen anyone around here asking.

How do we assume that the cop knew that Michael was unarmed? I mean, we all know that now, but how was he supposed to know that then, in the heat of the moment and in the midst of the scuffling?

As always, I feel the need to pre-defend myself by saying that I'm NOT attempting to justify what happened, just trying to work the whole thing through.

[underthematrix]

2. the killer claims he was struggling with Michael at his vehicle through a

window. When Michael pulled away and started running, why didn't officer call for back-up. And who pursues a streeTblocking jay walking suspect. Recall the killer knew nothing about the alleged strong arm robbery. Seriously how is that a good use of police time?