Family releases video of police running over a traffic law violator. Florida, of course.

[marble falls]

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 09:56 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/20/justice/florida-police-run-over-man/?iref=obinsite

(CNN) -- The family of a Florida man has released video of his death, hoping to get criminal charges filed against the police officer who ran him over.

On May 8, Marlon Brown was being chased by DeLand police because they allegedly saw that he was not wearing a seatbelt. At a dead-end road, Brown stopped his car and started running.

One of the police cars hit and ran him over, its dashcam video recording the entire incident.

Last week, a grand jury decided not to indict officer James Harris on a criminal charge of vehicular manslaughter. That's when the family decided to go public, and release the video.

<snip>

The dashcam video shows Harris' police car following two other police cars as they drive down a residential street into a grass lot. The two other vehicles stop but the one with the camera continues to chase after Brown.

As the police car approaches, Brown stumbles and falls. While on the ground, Brown turns and faces the chasing vehicle and within seconds, his face disappears under the hood of Harris' police car. A thud is heard and the car stops.

"I think he's underneath the (expletive) car," a voice off camera can be heard saying.

The city of DeLand has already paid the family $550,000 in a settlement but the city did not admit any wrongdoing, according to Krystal Brown. The family decided to go public with their story and the video in hopes of triggering public outrage that would result in pressure for officials to file criminal charges for Brown's death.

"We're just asking for justice, nothing extra," Krystal Brown said, "nothing no one else would want for their family member. "

State Attorney for Florida's 7th judicial district R.J. Larizza decided to present the evidence to the grand jury instead of filing charges, which he could have done if he felt a crime had been committed.

<snip>

The video alone prompted DeLand Police Chief William Ridgway to fire Harris.

"The actions taken by Officer Harris that night are not consistent with our department's training, directives, or accepted practices or techniques," Ridgway told CNN, in a prepared statement.

DeLand police are conducting an internal review of the incident. This week, law enforcement officials have been going over more than 2,000 documents to determine whether appropriate tactics were used, whether police policies were followed and if those policies reflect the best way to deal with similar situations.

Brown's family believes the video speaks for itself.

<snip>


The cops were only trying to deliver a gallon of milk. The police enjoy the chase to the point it has not a thing to do with law and order.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I knew not wearing your seat belt was dangerous, but…

[Warpy]

2. "Never run from the police because they'll catch you." --Quentin Crisp

Still, this is ridiculous and the cop is guilty of manslaughter, whether or not he's ever convicted of it. It's Florida.

[gopiscrap]

3. Fucking cops are out of control

[SamKnause]

4. Cops

The barrel is overflowing, the foam of rot is oozing and slithering down the the sides with the stench of wickedness permeating the air.

[DrDan]

5. why "of course"????

These kinds of things do not happen anywhere else?

He was fired. An internal investigation is underway. What else would you suggest?

ahhhhh - never mind. just some Florida-bashing. I get it.

******************************************
on edit - TEXAS!!!!! Home of Ted Cruz. Home of Rick Perry. Home of the successful bought-and-paid-for Tom the-hammer Delay appeal

that's rich!

[marble falls]

8. I suggest some prison time in general population.

[DrDan]

9. how about some criminal charges first - based on an investigation, I would assume -

which seems to be underway according to the article.

[cloudbase]

6. What else?

Revoke his certification so he can never work as a cop with any other agency.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

10. Cops have to be certified? Maybe some are.

[Iggo]

7. Yay, Cops!

They're the best!

[pacalo]

11. A *grand jury* was fine with this murder?

I wish the article had included the reasons behind this decision, just for added horror.

[marble falls]

12. I know what you mean. Here in Austin, Texas the cops shoot and beat to death ....

so many folks usually but not always minority youth but seldom indict them by grand jury. Seldom as in I do not remember it happening in fifteen years since been here. With the experience of having lived in Chicago, Phoenix (Tempe and Mesa) and Cleveland it seems to me they shoot a lot unarmed kids. One cop shot a 17 yr old in the back and the grand jury here didn't return an indictment (big surprise) but the Chief did fire her for endangering her partner who was in front of the kid and had had him under control. No record but he was running away from a car in his own neighborhood with a small amount of pot in his pocket. The grand jury only has to return an indictment or not no explanations. The juries here on DU give a lot more explanation.

[Th1onein]

13. PSSSST! DO something!

Here is the Volusia County attorney's office: [phone]