Jury to begin deliberating on officer's fatal shooting of carver

[uppityperson]

Source: Seattle Times

Jurors will try to untangle the city's most controversial police shooting in years as they begin deliberations Wednesday morning into the fatal shooting last summer of woodcarver John T. Williams by Seattle police officer Ian Birk.

Although jurors will only answer a series of questions, they will be asked two that are considered key: Did Birk believe Williams posed a threat? And did Williams actually pose a danger?

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After the last witness testified, King County District Judge Arthur Chapman reminded the eight-member jury that an inquest is not a trial, but a public inquiry into the circumstances and causes of the shooting. The jurors' answers do not have to be unanimous; they have the option of answering yes, no or unknown.

The King County Prosecutor's Office will review the answers and determine whether criminal charges are warranted.


(more, including witness statement round up)

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013971154_inquest19m.html

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I've been posting updates to trial here http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=184&topic_id=19115&mesg_id=19115

Even with my aids, even family who hear well, all say they'd do as John Williams did, turn to see who was yelling at them. Peacefully walking along carrying a legal pocketknife, minding your own business. Hearing noise of someone yelling behind them, turn to see if it were you.

He couldn't afford hearing aids.

He had a "stern look" on his face? So? It was sunny (odd, I know), he was Native American, he was drunk. All of which explain the "stern look".

If cop Birk was trained to shoot someone if he was within a certain distance of someone with an "edged" instrument, then WHY the FUCK did HE run up and get so close?

5 seconds to getting out of his car, escalating the situation and bam.

I sure hope the Seattle PD looks closer at who they hire, how they train him, etc.

I wish Birk showed the slightest remorse in what he did, took the slightest responsibility beyond defending himself.

[greiner3]

1. "I wish Birk showed the slightest remorse in what he did;"

He got caught.