LAPD Not Doing a Good Job of Investigating its Own

Time and again, the LAPD has given its civilian overseers an incomplete, often distorted picture of police shootings, a Times investigation found. The five-member commission -- made up of lawyers, business people and civic leaders appointed by the mayor -- is supposed to serve as the public's sentinel at police headquarters. Scrutinizing shootings is one of its most important responsibilities, a way to ensure that police who use excessive force do not go undetected or unpunished. Yet as a watchdog, the commission operates with a serious handicap: It has frequently been kept in the dark about important aspects of LAPD shootings. The department's shooting reports routinely omit information that might cause the commission to question whether officers acted properly. Witnesses who told investigators that police fired without provocation have gone unmentioned. Physical evidence that contradicts an officer's claim of self-defense has been left out. The Times studied dozens of shootings, comparing the information presented to the Police Commission with confidential Police Department files, court records and other documents. In at least 28 shootings, 15 of them fatal, the commission ruled that the use of force was "in policy" -- that is, reasonable and justified -- without knowing about evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. [more ]

• In one case, suspected cocaine dealer Leonard Robinson's (Pictured above) hands were shot by Officer Jeff Nolte, who, according to the Police Department, fired "in immediate defense of his life" after the man apparently pointed a shotgun at him. The commission cleared the officer. But a different story unfolded when Robinson's civil rights lawsuit went to trial. The jury, acting on evidence never seen by the commission, found that Robinson didn't aim a weapon at the officer and also had his hands in the air trying to surrender.Robinson collected $2 million in damages this year. [more ]

Rally protests racial profiling, police brutality

A crowd of people gathered in Clark Park on Saturday to rally against what they called "America's other war" -- the injustices committed against the country's black community. Racial profiling, police brutality, lower pay scales and exploitation of black prison workers were just some of the group's overall list of injustices. International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement Chairman Omali Yeshitela also cited Penn as an example of white gentrification and encroachment on the black community. The rally followed a five-kilometer "March for Social Justice," which took place simultaneously in Oakland, Calif., and St. Petersburg, Fla., as well as West Philadelphia. The event in Clark Park, which is located at 43rd Street and Chester Avenue, was organized by the African People's Solidarity Committee, a group of white community members who say they support the plight of their black peers. That group is under the larger umbrella of the Uhuru Movement. Uhuru is the Swahili word for "freedom," but the group is also known as the African People's Socialist Party. [more ]

Oceanside Police fatally shoot Latino Man after alleged attack

Hours after a fatal officer-involved shooting, only the yellow crime-scene tape separated blood stains and a makeshift memorial of votive candles, photos and flowers on Capistrano Drive yesterday. Oceanside police say Juan S. Sanchez, 19, tried to run over an officer shortly before midnight Wednesday who was investigating a report of someone shooting a rifle. The officer fired in self defense, they said. But Sanchez's friends and family who gathered near the shooting scene questioned the official account.  Chief Michael Poehlman said it would be inappropriate for him to comment in detail about the investigation until it is over. But Poehlman expressed sympathy for family and friends of Sanchez -- and for the officer who killed him. Police said they were called to nearby Santa Anita Street Wednesday night to investigate a report of a man shooting a rifle. When they arrived, officers tried to pull over a man driving blue Thunderbird who they thought might be involved in the shooting, police said. An officer standing outside his cruiser was grazed by the car when the driver attempted to run him over, police said. The officer opened fire, striking the driver at least once and sending the car into a utility pole.  Witness, Mike Nelson said also that paramedics were kept away from the scene even though the driver was still moving. There have been at least seven officer-involved shootings in Oceanside since June 2002, not all fatal. [more ] and [more ]

• Pictured above: Paul Mount, 15, lighted candles for Juan Sanchez, who was killed by a police officer.

Black Man Allegedley Beaten by Cops - Police refuse to release Video Tape

Hattiesburg Police Department officers did not use unnecessary or excessive force in the Oct. 1 arrest of a man witnesses said was beaten by police, Chief David Wynn said Thursday. Tony Hinton, 34,  was arrested after he failed to pull over for a traffic violation and led police on a chase that ended with him crashing his truck in a ditch Wynn said. Residents of the Columbia Street neighborhood gathered on the corner and watched the arrest take place, they said. They then notified the police department that they believed officers had used excessive force during the arrest, spawning an internal investigation by the department. The investigation included interviews with Hinton, the officers and witnesses, as well as a review of police cruiser video footage shot that night, Wynn said. Eyeywitness Mary Brown said, "they had this guy down in the dirt and they were hitting him with a flashlight. He was saying, 'Lord help me, help me.'" "He resisted arrest," Wynn said. "The video clearly shows that the officers utilized their training." Wynn said he will not release the video to the media because the department is worried about civil lawsuits. He said that the investigation is complete unless he gets new information. The Hattiesburg American has filed a Mississippi Public Records Act petition with the department to obtain copies of the video and police reports. Officials have 14 days to respond to the request. Neighbors who saw the incident said they didn't see Hinton resist arrest. "He didn't have time to put up a fight," said neighbor Barbara Hilton. "He was face-down in the ditch. " [more ] and [more ]

County pays record settlement in jail-death lawsuit

• Inmate was Hog-Tied and Beaten

Jefferson County has agreed to pay a record $1.6 million to settle a lawsuit filed over an inmate's death while in retraints at the county jail. At issue was the 2001 death of Kevin Wayne Bledsoe, 23. His parents sued the county in federal court, alleging he was the victim of excessive force and gross mishandling by officers. "Kevin Bledsoe lost his life after members of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office sprayed him in the face with pepper spray, tied him up in a controversial 'hog-tie' position using a homemade rope, put a hood over his injured and bleeding head, brought him to the Jefferson County jail rather than to a hospital, and held him face down on the floor of an isolation cell until he suddenly went limp and lost consciousness," the lawsuit says. Instead of getting him medical aid, the officers removed his clothing and left him lying face down in a pool of blood, the lawsuit said. Bledsoe was arrested after a fight in a supermarket parking lot. He had recently moved to Port Hadlock from Texas. [more ] and [more ]

Verdict backs Corona officers in Killing of Arabic Man who had a Broom

A civil jury decided Thursday in favor of the city of Corona and three of its police officers in a wrongful-death lawsuit. Abdullah Fakhry died in December 2001 after a confrontation in his home with Corona officers. The family sued the city, claiming the officers' actions caused the 56-year-old man's death. On Dec. 9, 2001, officers responded to an apartment after a neighbor reported hearing a disturbance. Fakhry assured the officers nothing was wrong and didn't want to let them in, according to court testimony. But officers were obligated to make sure no one had been victimized, so they entered the apartment. Fakhry picked up a broom at one point and appeared threatening, according to court transcripts. The officers used pepper spray on him and subdued him. But Fakhry stopped breathing during the ordeal and an emergency worker gave him CPR. Fakhry died about nine days later, and the family believed the officers' actions caused his death. A critical issue debated in Riverside County Superior Court was whether the officers' use of force was reasonable. Jurors sided with the officers. Farzana Fakhry  said she believed the still-fresh events of Sept. 11, 2001, played a role.She said her father warned his children not to do anything irrational if approached by the police, she said. "The cops acted like criminals," Farzana Fakhry said. "My father was not violent." [more ]

Funeral services held for elderly Latino man Jumped by Blue Island police

Funeral services were held for an elderly suburban man who died after a run-in with police. Antonio Manrique, 74, died days after being tackled by a Blue Island police officer in what investigators call a case of mistaken identity. Manrique's death is leading to a call to action from community leaders who believe Hispanics are unfairly targeted by Blue Island police. Hundreds of people attended the ceremonies for Manrique. "It is a total shock. We're friends of the family and here in support of them and our deepest sympathy," said Carol Kozlowski, Blue Island Resident. Almost 40 percent of the city's population is Hispanic. The Latino community is outraged by the murder. Hundreds showed up on Tuesday night for a city council meeting to express their frustrations. Residents claimed they are frequently mistreated by police and city employees. "I feel bad about it. Something definitely needs to get done. Too many people are being mistreated by the department," said Aurora Alaya, Blue Island resident.The encounter one week ago sparked protests and exposed the raw anger that exists against police in this small south suburb. On Friday, hundreds of people filled Saint Benedict Catholic Church to remember a quiet family man. Many here say Manrique's death shook the town to its core. [more ] and [more ]

Autopsy shows man who died in police custody was high on cocaine

The medical examiner has released a report on the death of a 26-year-old man who died in police custody. Kenny Jefferson died in August, following his arrest on Chesapeake Boulevard, where he was punching out car windows. Officers tied his wrists and ankles together while subduing him. Minutes later, Jefferson stopped breathing. The autopsy showed that Jefferson was high on cocaine, and that caused his heart to stop beating. The report indicates police officers played no role in his death. The final report determined Jefferson's cause of death to be Cardiac Arrhythmia due to Acute Agitated Cocaine Delirium. The report indicates that neither positional asphyxia nor the use of pepper spray were contributing factors in Jefferson's death. [more ]

MD Officer cleared in shooting of African Man

A Montgomery County grand jury has cleared a police officer of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Adelphi man in July, authorities said yesterday.  Candice Marchone, a member of the Montgomery police force for seven years, shot and killed Peter A. Njang outside an apartment complex in White Oak on Aug. 12. A grand jury on Thursday determined that the shooting was justified, ending potential criminal prosecution of Marchone, said Montgomery State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler.[more ]

2 NYC Metro Police officers charged in beating of homeless Black man

Two Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officers have been indicted in connection with the beating of a homeless man they threw out of Penn Station. Prosecutors said they have videotape of the incident.  Sgt. Joseph Camean, 32, and Officer Michael Koenig, 34, pleaded not guilty Tuesday when they were arraigned in Manhattan's state Supreme Court. Justice Michael R. Ambrecht released both without bail and told them to return to court Nov. 18.  Assistant District Attorney Andrew Heffner said Camean and Koenig ejected Maurice Cherry, 35, from Penn Station around 3 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2004. He said Cherry mouthed off to Koenig, who hit him in the head with a metal baton.  "There was absolutely no justification for this assault, according to witnesses," Heffner said. "He (Cherry) went into the fetal position when Koening was hitting him," the prosecutor said. "There is videotape evidence in this case." Witnesses reported the incident to Amtrak police, who told both Camean and the MTA, Heffner said. He said the MTA told its police internal affairs bureau, which investigated along with the district attorney's office. The officers were arrested in August.  Koening, on the force for four years, was charged with second-degree assault, falsifying business records and official misconduct. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of assault, the indictment's top count. [more ]

More than 1,300 gather in Blue Island to protest 75 Year Old Latino man's Death

Antonio Manrique Beaten by Cops
Although hundreds of people were crowded in the room, no one uttered a sound Tuesday night as Priscilla Martinez made her tearful plea for justice. "This guy that did this took my grandfather, and I'm never going to see him again," the 18-year-old said. "Something should be done." Her grandfather, 74-year-old Antonio Manrique, died Sunday afternoon at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, days after he was tackled to the ground by a Blue Island police officer in what police are calling a case of mistaken identity. On Tuesday nearly 300 people -- mostly Hispanic -- crammed into Blue Island City Hall to shout, cry and voice their frustration with the situation, and what they said is an ongoing problem of discrimination against Hispanics in the city. Meanwhile, outside city hall more than 1,000 people gathered and shouted in protest of Manrique's death. "Justice for Manrique! Justice for Manrique!" the crowd chanted as they stared down Blue Island, Calumet Park, Robbins, Midlothian and Cook County sheriff's police who blocked Vermont Street at Western and Greenwood avenues. [more ]

• Blue Island mayor asks for federal help toquell racial problems between Hispanics and Police [more ]
• Elderly Latino Man Beaten by Police Dies [more]

Chinese Woman Beat Down by Homeland Security Officer Suing US for $10 Million

A Chinese businesswoman plans to sue the U-S Department of Homeland Security for 10 (m) million dollars. She claims a Customs and Border Patrol officer beat her at the U-S-Canadian border over the summer. Zhao Yan's New York City attorney, Stanley Legan, says he has filed a notice of claim for his client, the first legal step toward a civil lawsuit. Zhao had earlier indicated she would sue for five (m) million dollars following the alleged assault at the Rainbow Bridge linking Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on July 21st. Officer Robert Rhodes has been criminally charged with violating Zhao's civil rights. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The legal filing claims Zhao was subjected to assault, battery, false arrest, and excessive use of force, among other things. [more ]

• US border guard indicted for beating down Chinese businesswoman. [more]
• Beating incident solidifies Chinese view of ugly America [more]

Black Teen in Police Beating case will not talk with Police Investigators

An investigation into the actions of an officer accused of beating a 15-year-old boy could take longer than expected because the teen and his family have refused to speak to investigators, city officials said. Don Pennington Jr., 15, alleged last month that Officer Louis Picicco beat him while he was in police custody on Aug. 28. Picicco was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 10 until the investigation is complete. The teen, accused of two counts of battery against a police officer, is scheduled to appear today in juvenile court for a status hearing. His mother said she just wants to put the entire incident behind her and until then is under advisement from attorneys who are representing the family in both the criminal case and the federal civil rights lawsuit against the police department. "He's not talking to the state's attorney's office because they are prosecuting him," said Vicki Pennington, the boy's mother. Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush said she believes the city prosecutor, not the state's attorney, is prosecuting the boy. In truth, the city, through its Police Department, can only ask the state's attorney's office to approve charges. Once approved, state's attorneys are the prosecutors in the case, not city prosecutors or police.After being arested for violating  the city's jaywalking ordinance the teen alleged he was brutally beaten by police. [more ]

•  Black Teen Beaten by Police: Stopped for Jaywalking [more]

Man Killed by Police was Trying to Break up Fight, says Brother

It was a misunderstanding. That's what the family of Ricky Camat says. Just four years ago, Camat became a millionaire playing the lottery. On Sunday a Seattle police officer shot and killed the 32-year-old. Camat's family says Ricky was trying to break up a fight outside a Pioneer Square bar. They say he pulled his gun and fired it in the air to disperse the crowd. His brother Brian Camat told KOMO 4 News what happened. "He shot one time in the air, he didn't point at no one, just one time in the air. He was freaked out there was all these guys he just wanted everyone to flee the scene." Moments later he was dead. "They (police) didn't tell him to freeze they didn't tell him to drop his weapon, he shot him as he was running back to the car," said Brian. But Seattle police say 10 witnesses back their version of the story. They insist that Ricky Camat refused to drop his gun and even pointed it at the officers. "The officers repeatedly ordered the subject to drop his weapon, we have several citizens that told us that and the subject refused to comply with their request," said Assistant Police Chief Cynthia Miller. [more ] and [more ]

Miami Officer Involved in Beating Death of Black Teen Now Wants to be Attorney

Bar Application Raises Rehabilitation Issues
It's been 25 years since William Hanlon and five other Miami-Dade County police officers were arrested in the beating death of Arthur McDuffie, a black insurance agent who tried to speed away on his motorcycle during a routine traffic stop in Miami. Four of the officers, but not Hanlon, were charged with manslaughter, accused of bludgeoning McDuffie with flashlights after he'd been wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. The officers, who were Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites, allegedly tried to cover up the crime by making it look like an accident. Despite Hanlon's testimony against his former colleagues, an all-white Tampa jury acquitted the four officers in 1980. That sparked three days of rioting in Miami's black Liberty City area. Eighteen people died in the riots, and more than 400 were injured. Hanlon, now 51, would like to put his past behind him. No longer a police officer, he graduated from Nova Southeastern University's law school in May 2001, has passed the bar exam and is seeking admission to The Florida Bar.[more ]

Louisville Mayor backs police chief's decision to Fire Officer who Killed Newby

 At the urging of civil-rights activists, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson again endorsed Metro Police Chief Robert White's decision to fire former detective McKenzie Mattingly after a fatal shooting. "I support the chief's findings and the (internal) investigation that took place," Abramson said yesterday after meeting with about two dozen activists and the family of the dead man, Michael Newby. "I have said it every time I have been asked." The mayor said the Jefferson County attorney's office will represent the city and strongly argue that the police merit board reject Mattingly's request to be reinstated as a detective. White fired Mattingly in April after the chief said an internal investigation had found the officer did not face an "immediate threat" and had other options besides shooting Newby. The merit board is expected to consider hearing dates today, said attorney Mark Miller, who has represented Mattingly in administrative proceedings since the former detective fatally shot Newby, 19, during an undercover drug deal Jan.3. [more ]

•  The merit board decided yesterday to hear his appeal on Dec. 14 and 15, and Jan. 13, 14 and 18.  [more ]

Town Suspends Entire Police Force Over Brutatlity Claims

The entire police department in Maysville has been suspended while the SBI looks into allegations of police brutality. The Jones County Sheriff's Department will pick up the slack while the investigation takes place. The Maysville town board decided in a 3-2 vote to suspend all four of the town's police officers without pay, pending a State Bureau of Investigation probe of an Oct. 1 incident in which two Maysville police officers on patrol were allegedly assaulted by a group of local men. A crowd of about 75 residents came to the meeting to express what some called long-simmering frustrations with the Maysville police force. Though representatives from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Civil Rights Advocacy Association attended Thursday's meeting, many residents say that adding black officers won't improve matters. An altercation between Maysville police and town residents on Friday ended with an officer in the hospital and a suspect under arrest. Officers Carl Baugus Jr. and Michael Polley were patrolling when they found a crowd gathered near a stop sign, which was covered with a coat. According to Maysville Police Chief Michael Whaley, a man assaulted the officers as they tried to remove the coat. Others joined in the fight, which resulted in Polley being sprayed with Mace and possibly kicked in the head.[more ] and [more ] and [more ]

Man shot by officer recalled as brave, loving role model

John Gill, a U.S. Army veteran, was laid to rest Thursday at Fort Custer National Cemetery following a service at Langeland Family Funeral Homes in downtown Kalamazoo. Gill's funeral came exactly one week after he was shot and killed by a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer at Madeira Apartments in the 1600 block of East Cork Street. Little was mentioned at the service Thursday about the circumstances surrounding Gill's death. But, while recalling memories of his slain uncle, Gill's nephew Minister Dwayne Watkins said, "I want the record set straight today. Justice will prevail." Police say that about 3 p.m. Sept. 30, Sgt. Stacey Geik returned to the scene of an apartment fire that had occurred earlier in the day at Madeira. He reportedly was confronted by Gill, who announced he had a gun and then threatened the officer with the firearm. Officials have said Geik commanded Gill to drop the handgun about a dozen times, but Gill stepped toward the officer. Geik then fired his service pistol twice. Gill died at the apartment. However, Gill's family members Thursday questioned the account released by authorities. Jerry McNeely, president of the local NAACP chapter, said his organization also is conducting an inquiry into the shooting at the request of Gill's relatives. [more ]

LAPD Attack Mentally Ill Black Man

Los Angeles Police Department officials are investigating whether excessive force was used in an incident that shut down Figueroa Street for 15 to 20 minutes Monday afternoon, said Sergeant C. Perkins. One taser was used as police officers detained a man with a mental illness near the intersection of Figueroa and 28th streets, Perkins said. The man was not arrested but sent to a hospital for evaluation of a mental illness.  Witnesses said that the man was sitting in an ambulance when police officers tried to remove him. "I saw them pulling him out of the ambulance, and all of a sudden lots of police officers were on top of him," said Juan Cruz, a worker at Del Taco. Cruz described the detainee as a black man in his 50s to 60s. At least 10 squad cars and 20 police officers were at the intersection. The squad cars did not respond to a call, and they were already in the area before the incident ­- possibly to get food at one of the local restaurants, Perkins said. Cruz said that there were a lot of police officers who converged on top of the man. [more ]

Kadiatou Diallo on a mission for balance, police accountability

Since her son's death five years ago in a hail of bullets fired by four undercover police officers in the Bronx, Kadiatou Diallo has been on a mission. Inspired in part by prayer, Diallo's speaking tours on behalf of her son, Amadou, are also about protest and resolution. Amadou Diallo was shot 19 times in the vestibule of his Bronx apartment building on Feb. 4, 1999, by officers who said they mistook his wallet for a gun. All four were acquitted of murder charges. The killing brought his mother from the political turmoil of West Africa to the racial storm in New York stirred up by the controversy over racial profiling. [more ]