Police Attack with Taser Sleeping Man in His Own Home

[Gil Hamilton]

This was actually local news to me. Simply put, what's been going on is that the Pittsburgh Police just very much wants this to go away and has been keeping its trap shut about it in the hopes that people will eventually lose interest (some people are still trying to get the police report). Basically, it's been doing so since last March, which is why only recently did they even announce that they weren't going to charge the cops in question, 9 months after the fact.

Pretty much, the Pittsburgh Police doesn't want to be the ones who took miscellaneous African American harassment to "Sleeping While Black on Your Own Couch" as opposed to the usual "Driving or Walking While Black".

[Kamakazie Sith]

This was actually local news to me. Simply put, what's been going on is that the Pittsburgh Police just very much wants this to go away and has been keeping its trap shut about it in the hopes that people will eventually lose interest (some people are still trying to get the police report). Basically, it's been doing so since last March, which is why only recently did they even announce that they weren't going to charge the cops in question, 9 months after the fact.

Pretty much, the Pittsburgh Police doesn't want to be the ones who took miscellaneous African American harassment to "Sleeping While Black on Your Own Couch" as opposed to the usual "Driving or Walking While Black".

I'll never understand the mentality of that idea. What the police department should do is fire the officers involved, and wash their hands of them. If you violate policy the department can simply say that they didn't train you this way, and now you're on your own in a civil matter. Perhaps, their policy is poorly written, or they failed to train adequately...

[Big Phil]

This was actually local news to me. Simply put, what's been going on is that the Pittsburgh Police just very much wants this to go away and has been keeping its trap shut about it in the hopes that people will eventually lose interest (some people are still trying to get the police report). Basically, it's been doing so since last March, which is why only recently did they even announce that they weren't going to charge the cops in question, 9 months after the fact.

Pretty much, the Pittsburgh Police doesn't want to be the ones who took miscellaneous African American harassment to "Sleeping While Black on Your Own Couch" as opposed to the usual "Driving or Walking While Black".

I'll never understand the mentality of that idea. What the police department should do is fire the officers involved, and wash their hands of them. If you violate policy the department can simply say that they didn't train you this way, and now you're on your own in a civil matter. Perhaps, their policy is poorly written, or they failed to train adequately...

"Failed to train them adequately?" Anybody who needs training to understand why you shouldn't taser people sleeping on couches should be euthanized for the good of society.

[Big Phil]

No worries. Let's just wait so we can consider the totality of the situation before we pick sides. Believe me, I'll be right behind every single one of you if it turns out to be true.

Can you honestly think of any situation where what the officers did was even remotely justified? If not, cut the crap and stop whining about the "rush to judgment."

Yes, a situation that is different from the one that Mr. Hicks claims to have occured. Not that hard really...

Of course, the police have had nine months to come up with an alternative story, and they haven't. This sort of investigation does does take nine months. Now, are you going to insist we wait another nine months for the police to justify or explain their actions, or can you just admit that what they did was wrong?

Indeed, 'the guy could be lying' is always a possibility until you prove he's telling the truth.

Nine months for the police to prove he's lying, and they haven't. It's probably safe to say he's telling the truth, and the cops can't think of any lies to cover their asses.

[Big Phil]

Ghetto edit - I can't tell time - three months, not nine, since the incident.

[CaptainChewbacca]

Despite what seems like absolutely atrocious behavior by the police it seems to me like something is missing. How do you just forget about your alarm system? The thing you switch on / off whenever you enter / leave your house, just how drunk was Hicks that night?

You talk about an alarm system like it is a religious icon. Its a switch, or three numbers. Ever leave your keys in the door? Leave the stove on? Had a hard day and maybe left your briefcase outside? It isn't inconceivable that ONCE in a man's life, he could forget to turn his alarm off. When that happens, the police come and are pissed, and they charge you $200 or so for the cost of a false emergency call, and you remember to never do it again.

Who cares how drunk he was? He's allowed to be drunk in his own goddamn house as long as he's not endangering anyone.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

This was actually local news to me. Simply put, what's been going on is that the Pittsburgh Police just very much wants this to go away and has been keeping its trap shut about it in the hopes that people will eventually lose interest (some people are still trying to get the police report). Basically, it's been doing so since last March, which is why only recently did they even announce that they weren't going to charge the cops in question, 9 months after the fact.

Well now it's on Digg, which is about as good as it being all over the ENTIRE Internet, so the PPD are going to end up with their little dickies pinched in the machinery because they wanted to sweep the shit under the rug. Too bad, so sad; they shouldna Tasered a sleeping man in his own home, then Tasered him again after producing evidence he's the owner.

[Kamakazie Sith]

"Failed to train them adequately?" Anybody who needs training to understand why you shouldn't taser people sleeping on couches should be euthanized for the good of society.

No, failure to train when you can deploy a taser when someone is refusing to listen to your commands. Which is most likely what occurred here. Taser deployment should be during active resistance, and not passive resistance. Pretending to not hear a police officer is passive resistance if you, the officer, knows they aren't deaf.

[Kamakazie Sith]

Of course, the police have had nine months to come up with an alternative story, and they haven't. This sort of investigation does does take nine months. Now, are you going to insist we wait another nine months for the police to justify or explain their actions, or can you just admit that what they did was wrong?

Well, the DA seems to think they did nothing wrong here. It's up to the attorney to obtain those records, and sue them. That's why I'm still interested to hear the other story because the DA didn't file charges....why? Besides, police departments only have to justify their actions to the DA, and not the news media, so the fact that they haven't talked to the media is frankly something I don't care about.

Nine months for the police to prove he's lying, and they haven't. It's probably safe to say he's telling the truth, and the cops can't think of any lies to cover their asses.

It seems that they did prove this unless the DA is also a racist fucker.

[Kamakazie Sith]

Who cares how drunk he was? He's allowed to be drunk in his own goddamn house as long as he's not endangering anyone.

Anyone includes himself...

[CaptainChewbacca]

Who cares how drunk he was? He's allowed to be drunk in his own goddamn house as long as he's not endangering anyone.

Anyone includes himself...

Was he dangerously sleeping on his couch?

[Kamakazie Sith]

Who cares how drunk he was? He's allowed to be drunk in his own goddamn house as long as he's not endangering anyone.

Anyone includes himself...

Was he dangerously sleeping on his couch?

LOL of course not. Look people. Assuming that the DA is not an asshole then he would not have cleared them for tasering a sleeping subject. Period. Which means something else happened. Use your head please and stop asking stupid questions.

Let me ask everyone a question. You obviously don't trust the police involved in this matter, and that I can completely understand. Why do you distrust the DA? After the FBI gets done with this will you not trust them if they rule it justified? What can they do to prove their story to you over Mr. Hicks?

[Thanas]

Because it is not a stretch of the imagination that the DA is a rascist or sucking up to the police department?

I have actually met both types of DAs. Sure, there are good ones, but I have also met my share of rascist scumbag DAs.

Also, if he did decide not to press charges, why does he not even release a small press statement outlining his decision?

[Xisiqomelir]

Let me ask everyone a question. You obviously don't trust the police involved in this matter, and that I can completely understand. Why do you distrust the DA? After the FBI gets done with this will you not trust them if they rule it justified? What can they do to prove their story to you over Mr. Hicks?

Ooh, ooh, me!

"Give their version of events"

[Molyneux]

Assuming that the DA is not an asshole then he would not have cleared them for tasering a sleeping subject.

That's an risky assumption you're making there. What is the basis for it?

[Kamakazie Sith]

Let me ask everyone a question. You obviously don't trust the police involved in this matter, and that I can completely understand. Why do you distrust the DA? After the FBI gets done with this will you not trust them if they rule it justified? What can they do to prove their story to you over Mr. Hicks?

Ooh, ooh, me!

"Give their version of events"

LMAO. Exactly what obligation is the police department under to prove its story to the local media?

Answer - None

That's why Mr. Hicks will have to sue, and then the facts will come out.

[Kamakazie Sith]

Because it is not a stretch of the imagination that the DA is a rascist or sucking up to the police department?

I have actually met both types of DAs. Sure, there are good ones, but I have also met my share of rascist scumbag DAs.

Also, if he did decide not to press charges, why does he not even release a small press statement outlining his decision?

Because he's under no such obligation to do so...

[Kamakazie Sith]

Assuming that the DA is not an asshole then he would not have cleared them for tasering a sleeping subject.

That's an risky assumption you're making there. What is the basis for it?

Well, he sent it to the FBI for one thing. He might be a complete idiot as well...because he will also pay if the FBI finds that there were clear charges that needed to be pressed.

[Johonebesus]

"They don't have to" sounds an awful lot like apologist B.S. The fact that they aren't legally obligated to issue a statement isn't a reason for not doing so. They could issue a statement if they wanted, and it might help to mitigate an image of racism and corruption. If you are right and Hicks is lying about the incident, then the police or D.A. would, at worst, have nothing to lose in giving their side of events. They might be called liars by those determined to judge them, but others would take it into consideration. Like you, my first reaction was, "There must be more to the story; they couldn't have tasered a sleeping man!" The fact that they have refused to offer any explanation countering Hick's story, when they have no reason not to and every reason to explain themselves, makes it seem like they are stonewalling, probably hoping that if they ignore it the issue will go away, or at least won't get much media attention, since the victim was black.

[Xisiqomelir]

Let me ask everyone a question. You obviously don't trust the police involved in this matter, and that I can completely understand. Why do you distrust the DA? After the FBI gets done with this will you not trust them if they rule it justified? What can they do to prove their story to you over Mr. Hicks?

Ooh, ooh, me!

"Give their version of events"

LMAO. Exactly what obligation is the police department under to prove its story to the local media?

Answer - None

Way to change the question. Good show.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Ooh, ooh, me!

"Give their version of events"

LMAO. Exactly what obligation is the police department under to prove its story to the local media?

Answer - None

That's why Mr. Hicks will have to sue, and then the facts will come out.[/quote]

You are telling me, that the Police, a public municipal service, is under no obligation to justify its actions? Well done.

[Kamakazie Sith]

You are telling me, that the Police, a public municipal service, is under no obligation to justify its actions? Well done.

Hey dishonest fuckhead. Where did I say that? I specifically said that they are under no obligation to justify their actions to the media. Don't fucking misrepresent me again.

[18-Till-I-Die]

Of course they dont have to justify their actions.

Their cops.

Why should they have to justify their actions, when those actions seem questionable...

Why indeed.


Me, i'm waiting for someone to present evidence that shows we SHOULDNT believe Mr. Hicks, as all that Kamikaze Sith is doing is spraying bullshit about. Based on the information of SEVERAL news reports, this is the story of how it happened. You have not shown one iota of reason as to why it should not be believed, all you've done is talk about how we MUST not believe it bacause it CANT be true.

Why? Who says? Present evidence!

[18-Till-I-Die]

You are telling me, that the Police, a public municipal service, is under no obligation to justify its actions? Well done.

Hey dishonest fuckhead. Where did I say that? I specifically said that they are under no obligation to justify their actions to the media. Don't fucking misrepresent me again.

Wow.

Because that's a huge fucking difference.

Way to be totally dishonest asswipe.

[Kamakazie Sith]

"They don't have to" sounds an awful lot like apologist B.S. The fact that they aren't legally obligated to issue a statement isn't a reason for not doing so. They could issue a statement if they wanted, and it might help to mitigate an image of racism and corruption. If you are right and Hicks is lying about the incident, then the police or D.A. would, at worst, have nothing to lose in giving their side of events. They might be called liars by those determined to judge them, but others would take it into consideration. Like you, my first reaction was, "There must be more to the story; they couldn't have tasered a sleeping man!" The fact that they have refused to offer any explanation countering Hick's story, when they have no reason not to and every reason to explain themselves, makes it seem like they are stonewalling, probably hoping that if they ignore it the issue will go away, or at least won't get much media attention, since the victim was black.

Many organizations refuse to entertain certain accusations. That refusal doesn't make that accusation true, but it doesn't make it false either. I'm against jumping on the bandwagon here because what we do know doesn't add up. Why would the DA clear them, and then send it to the FBI for review? Is he a fucking moron? That's possible, but it's also possible that there is a lot more to this story than we think, and making conclusions based on one side of a story doesn't seem intelligent to me.