Judge: New Mexico police officers to stand trial for murder

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has ruled that two Albuquerque police officers must stand trial on murder charges in the fatal, on-duty shooting of a homeless man that sparked angry protest in Albuquerque and helped lead to reforms.

After a nearly two-week preliminary hearing, a judge said Tuesday there was probable cause for the murder case against Officer Dominique Perez and former Detective Keith Sandy to go to trial.

The charges were filed against the two officers in the killing of 38-year-old James Boyd, who authorities say had schizophrenia and was shot during a confrontation in which police accused him of camping illegally.

Video of the shooting showed Boyd appearing to surrender before Perez and Sandy opened fire. Defense lawyers say Boyd had threatened officers with two knives.

FULL story at link.



Defense attorney Luis Robles, left, talks to former Albuquerque detective Keith Sandy, center, and Albuquerque officer Dominique Perez, right, during a preliminary hearing in Albuquerque, N.M. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. A judge is listening to testimony and will decide if Sandy and Perez should stand trial for the fatal shooting of a homeless man in 2014. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/314292e44c2943679ee9fea937eea539/defense-police-made-split-second-decision-fatal-shooting

[left-of-center2012]

1. I watched much of the preliminary hearing streamed on line

The video of the shooting was shown many times and Boyd was obviously shot with his back to the officers.
In one point during the prelim, the Judge asked:
"When non-lethal force didn't work, could they not have been used a 2nd and 3rd time?"

To which the answer was "Yes". But the cops shot Boyd instead.

[morningfog]

2. Just so no one forgets, James Boyd was white.

And armed.

Had Boyd been an unarmed black man? May have been different.

[lonestarnot]

5. What bullshit, he had a knife but was yards away from harming anyone. Cops don't give a fuck what

color their death trophy is.

[morningfog]

6. My point is, the reason the white cops are actually being charged with murder is in no small part

due to the color of the man they killed.

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. I think your point is mistaken. They get charged now when it's freaking obvious.

Like the South Carolina cop charged with murder in the death of the black guy running away.

Or the Baltimore cops charged in Freddie Gray's death.

[lonestarnot]

11. Why would you want to minimize the behavior of blood sporters with skin color?

[lonestarnot]

3. Fuck yeah! Good! Bastards.

[BlueJazz]

4. I remember watching that and thinking ...Only one way to call that: "Cold Blooded Murder"

I'm terribly ashamed of my/our country

[tomm2thumbs]

8. Clip - graphic

Amazing how ignorant these hired-hit men are... they all knew he had a knife and was entirely outnumbered -- and they even had a bean bag shooter ready to go -- and instead, chose lethal means

[mike_c]

9. that was a cold blooded execution....

Boyd was killed for nonviolent noncompliance with orders, by cops to whom he posed no threat, plain and simple.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

10. I will never understand how cops can make demands of a dead man.

Most of the videos I see of their murders are usually of the criminal cop(s) yelling to "Put your hands up, now!" right after they shoot the victim.

I've never been able to understand that logic.