Chief: Officer Didn't Know Brown Was a Suspect

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

CHIEF: OFFICER DIDN'T KNOW BROWN WAS A SUSPECT
Aug. 15, 2014 3:20 PM EDT
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FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The police chief in the St. Louis suburb where an unarmed black teenager was fatally shot by police says the officer didn't know the teen was a robbery suspect at the time of the shooting.

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson earlier Friday released documents alleging 18-year-old Michael Brown had been suspected of stealing a $48.99 box of cigars from a convenience store in a "strong-arm" robbery shortly before he was killed.

During an afternoon news conference Jackson said the robbery "was not related to the initial contact" between the officer and Brown on Saturday.

He declined to elaborate as to why the officer stopped Brown and his friend, citing the ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/police-shooting-victim-was-robbery-suspect#overlay-context=users/mstewart

[big_dog]

1. are we still living in America? how can they have kept this secret for almost a week!!?

we need a special prosecutor and get these Ferguson/ St Louis County clowns out of the way , this is the living embodiment of the 'thin blue line' right here

[JustAnotherGen]

3. I know there's a vocal group of folks at DU

That just detest Eric Holder - But he needs to step in here.

No one knows for sure if he wont - but this needs his hands on it. At minimum his oversight.

[frylock]

23. i said just last night that Holder and his worthless DOJ need to step in..

I'm sure they're busy in WA or CO busting up some pot shops.

[JustAnotherGen]

29. I think both and the President

Have shown a hesitance to step into race issues in general. And I understand why - but now they shouldn't be worrying about being perceived as biased towards black Americans.

They are both measured calculating men - their vocal presence will help to temper the rage a lit of black Americans including me are feeling today.

[frylock]

30. i agree and understand that they feel a need to tread lightly around issues of race

[BumRushDaShow]

32. Did you miss this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014870866
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014871138
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014871186

[JustAnotherGen]

33. The third one I missed

But they have to move quick. Another weekend is upon us - gotta send a strong message across the country to all police forces. Enough!

[BumRushDaShow]

34. The media imagery has already "sent the message"

and that message was ugly and embarrasing for the U.S. around the world. Tens of thousands with arms held high yelling "Don't Shoot" left a mark. And the fact that congress critters are already planning to re-look at the DOD transfers of equipment, plus anticipated action to most likely review rules on it, will be enough to basically end or at least severely curtail the practice.

This thing about forcing the DOJ to run hither and yon doing press photo-ops is ridiculous. When they do their investigations, they will have enough material to use in testimony before what will be GUARANTEED to be multiple congressional hearings in both chambers, which will hopefully eventually lead to legislation. But in order to get that legislation passed the way that *we* want, a whole pile of folks need to get up off their asses and get to the polls the best way they can, to take back the House, and keep the Senate. THAT is the bottom line.

[JustAnotherGen]

35. I don't know . . .

We've been here a long time - voting and doing our best. I'm beginning to think the race issue is one I'm going to have to live with. The hatred towards us since Obama got elected has been over the top.

I agree on GOTV! But for jobs and prosperity - not for basic dignity in America.

[BumRushDaShow]

36. There's a whole lotta "folks" who didn't vote

Just look at the situation there in Ferguson and who runs things.

There are thousands and thousands of "Fergusons" across the country - and notably in the south in the popularly-designated "red states". Yet those states have between 20% to as high as 37% black population in the state!!!

You have states like Alabama with 27% black population state-wide, yet only has exactly 1 black elected person in Congress. The state of Louisiana is 32% black, yet only has exactly 1 black elected person in Congress. Even worse, Mississippi has a state-wide population that is an unbelievable 37% black, yet like Alabama & Louisiana, only has exactly 1 black elected person in Congress.

And to compare - here in PA, we are 11.5% of the population and have 1 black elected person in Congress (my congressman Chaka Fattah), and if the city of Philadelphia hadn't bowed to politics to ensure the city's party chairman Bob Brady had a seat, HIS district (1st Congressional) could have easily produced a 2nd black congress person given the makeup of that district.

No, we have ALOT of work to do and yes race has a lot to do with it. But there are those other factors in play - like ensuring that people show up for EVERY election, not just every 4 years for the general, so that folks can have a say in the crucial state and local races.

[JustAnotherGen]

37. Bravo sir!

This is why I get so frustrated with the Clinton v. warren debates around here. Seriously - folks better wake up and realize its not just GOTV - it's being able to vote.

And look at the stunt the Republicans in PA almost pulled two years ago.

I more worried about PA than I am AL. I've volunteered to get remote Dems to the polls on the NJ 7th this November - did the same thing in 2008.

We learned with Christie last year that we have a LOT of elderly Democrats in this district that just need a ride. This is horse country - they can't just take the bus.

I'm in Hunterdon County - so that should help you understand the landscape.

In 2008 I was actually in Allentown PA on election day helping the elderly and the poor (just needed rides and assstance with navigating registration challenges) get to the polls.

[BumRushDaShow]

38. "a LOT of elderly Democrats in this district that just need a ride"

Bingo! My mother is in that category (she will be 84 this year) and EVERY election, whether for a primary or for the general, I make sure she has a ride to the polls (I or my sisters do the transport). I am fortunate that I am this close >< to my polling place, but so many are forced to go great distances and that is what needs to change. But in order to make that change, the state legislatures need to change and that initial sacrifice needs to be made to get to the almost unreachable polls FIRST, and then hopefully get in new people who will establish mail-in or other easy means for voting.

[Shadowflash]

20. They DIDN'T keep it secret for a week

They made this shit up yesterday, to cover there asses when things began to tank.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. But we already see what their PD Attorneys did with this

We can already see it -

Dodge. Deflect. Defer.

It's about that over there - not this over here.

That police chief is too wet to step on and too low to kick. I'm sure it's because they have had to lawyer up - but for fucks sake. This young man was shot in cold blood by his employee. He has NO shame.

[onecaliberal]

4. How long does it take to ask a police officer why he pulled someone over.

This police department is pulling stories out of their ass. They're not even intelligent enough to come up with anything after 6 days.

[handmade34]

5. worst Police Chief ever...

he just made Officer Johnson's job a whole lot more difficult

[savalez]

19. He doesn't seem to want to protect "that one".

[L0oniX]

6. I'll give the chief credit for this but why did it take this long and if that is the case then...

why the smearing battery video of an technically unidentified suspect? Because they are trying to corrupt the truth. Fucking pigs!

[HooptieWagon]

8. The robbery story is a red herring.

... Since it appears to have zero connection with the shooting, but appears to be intended to divert attention away from a police officer committing second degree murder.

[bullwinkle428]

21. It set the wheels in motion for the "thug-a-fication", if you will, by the howling

hyenas of the RW media.

[bigdarryl]

7. Al Sharpton just spoke on the Chiefs statement here's what Al SAID

QUOTE from Sharpton:I listened to the Chief being interviewed and all I could think of is when my mother used to say give them enough rope and they will hang themselves

[gordianot]

28. and look for blue berry pie on the rope. (I have great respect for Reverend Al and his Mother)

My Mother in Law had a saying that could apply to the Chief "he is a diamond in a goats butt and you just do not want to touch it"

[azmom]

9. The police chief needs to turn in his resignation.

He seems to think this is some kind of game. Shame on him for misleading the public.

[d_b]

10. lolwut

I thought he was responding to a 'strong armed robbery' or some such shit..

[olddad56]

11. if the robbery really happened, wouldn't the it have been captured on the store's video camera?

[tblue37]

26. It was. And Brown was probbly guilty, according to his friend's statement

about the shoplifting incident.

But that is still entirely irrelevant to the shooting.

[madashelltoo]

12. After 5 days, this is their best shot.

There is no reason, real or imagined, to justify what this officer did. He executed a young man for at best, disrespecting him. Jim Crow / Plantation Offense

[6000eliot]

13. Filthy, lying scumbag!

Why did he bring it up in the first place, except to assassinate the character of a man his department brutally murdered? Fuck you, RACIST PIG!

[Billy Budd]

14. they are strategically releasing

information to cast a cloud on the dead man...They released the video but not the number of times the man was shot.... the robbery "was not related to the initial contact" between the officer and Brown on Saturday. ...so what was the contact about...

[damnedifIknow]

15. There you have it

Arrest the cop and prosecute. Enough already.

[dbackjon]

16. Whoops - there goes the right-wing smear narrative

[herding cats]

17. Then why release those documents today?

How is that in anyway relevant to the shooting?

[tea and oranges]

18. Doesn't this just say it all! Thnx for posting.

[frylock]

22. gee, no shit?

jackboot licks will still say he deserved it.

[tblue37]

24. IOW, they just released that info in an attempt to muddy the waters by painting the

Last edited Fri Aug 15, 2014, 08:52 PM - Edit history (1)

kid as a dangerous thug who deserved to get shot, even though nothing in that info about the robbery has any relevance whatsoever to the shooting.

[heaven05]

25. This whole releasing of video

of alleged armed robbery, no sound, confrontation scuffle? All a wrap for ferguson P.D. That's their case and they are going to stick by it. This executioner will get away with this execution just like zimmerman, file for disability for PTSD, get it and go on with his life. Michael Brown has been alleged to have been a criminal now, that's all that was/is necessary to absolve this policeman. It's a case the racist can have a field day with. One thing I guarantee: These type of shootings will continue with no end in sight. America is hatefully sick when it comes to race relations.

[gordianot]

27. I would like to know who knew of this video and requested a release under the FOI Act?

If news media knew of the tape who told them and where is the copy of the request for release? Why would the Police Chief say that the investigation is sealed then state the shooting officer did not know of the video or allegation Brown was involved in a crime other than jaywalking. So the Police Chief did offer information on the shooting. Finally why link Brown with this incident then the Police Chief states there is not a positive ID.

My conclusion the Police Chief and others are creating a setting event that they hope allows them to bring out their military style toys.


Solution: People of St. Louis come to the polls kick your riff raff out of office. GOTV Hold your elected officials accountable.

[mackerel]

31. I want to side track just a bit because I friend sent

me this link.

Please can someone honestly tell me, from this link, if this person in the link is actually identifiable.




(Note: I'm sincerely asking, not trying to flame, imho, I think the pic is too grainy and based on some decent pics of Mr. Brown
it just doesn't seem to match.)