ATLANTA -- A jury has found Atlanta police officer Arthur Tesler guilty of lying to investigators for his role in the cover-up following a botched drug raid in which a 92-year-old woman was shot to death.
The panel found him not guilty of violating his oath as an officer and false imprisonment. The jury deliberated for four days.
Tesler broke down and cried when the verdicts were announced. On leave from the police force, he faces up to five years in prison.
Kathryn Johnston was shot 39 times as plainclothes narcotics officers broke into her house using a "no-knock" warrant in 2006. Johnston fired one shot from a pistol as police were breaking down her door, but she did not hit any of the officers.
Tesler was in the backyard of Johnston's home during the raid.
Tesler claimed he was manipulated into lying to cover the mistakes of his senior officers. During nearly eight hours of testimony, he said he was instructed by two other officers after the shooting to memorize a cover-up story that they had witnessed an informant buying drugs at Johnston's home.
Tesler also told the jury in Fulton County Superior Court that he didn't know officer Jason R. Smith had lied to a judge to get the warrant and then planted drugs in Johnston's basement to back up the story. In his often tearful testimony, Tesler said he eventually decided to cooperate with federal investigators because he "couldn't take it anymore."
"A woman was dead and they were trying to implicate me in their story," Tesler said. "I didn't lay a hand on this woman. I wanted nothing to do with it."
Prosecutors say Tesler had opportunities to tell the truth but decided to do so only when federal agents told him they knew he was lying.
Fulton County prosecutor Kellie Hill told a jury in closing arguments Thursday that Tesler only admitted his role in the shooting death of Johnston after he was confronted by federal agents investigating the case.
Hill said even though Tesler never fired a shot, he shared responsibility for Johnston's death because he went along with a lie.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who was sitting in the courtroom during the morning, called Tesler's testimony "chilling" and the shooting "a complete disregard for the criminal justice system."
The trial is likely to be the only one in the Johnston shooting because former officers Gregg Junnier and Smith have already pleaded guilty to state manslaughter and federal civil rights charges. Junnier testified against Tesler last week.
The jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon.
The fatal shooting led to sharp criticism of the police department, and a shake-up of the narcotics unit, which Tesler's attorney, William McKenney, has said routinely planted drugs and lied to obtain search warrants. It also prompted a review of how officers obtain and use no-knock warrants, which are intended to keep drug suspects from having time to destroy evidence.
I saw this article and remembered the thread, so I thought it'd be nice to post an update to it.
"It's you Americans. There's something about nipples you hate. If this were Germany, we'd be romping around naked on the stage here."
I sure as hell remember this story and the thread that went along with it.
So it seems in the end, the cops busted down the door of a Parinod old lady who promptly started shooting, they shot back, killed her(After she got all of them) and then they had to plant some drugs to explain why she would open fire in the first place.
Now if there WAS no reason(Aside from being a paranoid old lady) maybe they did in fact as was reported, simply bust the door down then get mowed down for it by the ol' lady.
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Mr Bean wrote:I sure as hell remember this story and the thread that went along with it.
So it seems in the end, the cops busted down the door of a Parinod old lady who promptly started shooting, they shot back, killed her(After she got all of them) and then they had to plant some drugs to explain why she would open fire in the first place.
Now if there WAS no reason(Aside from being a paranoid old lady) maybe they did in fact as was reported, simply bust the door down then get mowed down for it by the ol' lady.
Er, read the update again. The cops pretty much lied about everything.
Kathryn Johnston was shot 39 times as plainclothes narcotics officers broke into her house using a "no-knock" warrant in 2006. Johnston fired one shot from a pistol as police were breaking down her door, but she did not hit any of the officers.
"It's you Americans. There's something about nipples you hate. If this were Germany, we'd be romping around naked on the stage here."
The fatal shooting led to sharp criticism of the police department, and a shake-up of the narcotics unit, which Tesler's attorney, William McKenney, has said routinely planted drugs and lied to obtain search warrants.
B-b-b-but it's a war! On drugs!
Won't somebody think of this CHILDREN?!
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Tesler claimed he was manipulated into lying to cover the mistakes of his senior officers. During nearly eight hours of testimony, he said he was instructed by two other officers after the shooting to memorize a cover-up story that they had witnessed an informant buying drugs at Johnston's home.
Tesler also told the jury in Fulton County Superior Court that he didn't know officer Jason R. Smith had lied to a judge to get the warrant and then planted drugs in Johnston's basement to back up the story. In his often tearful testimony, Tesler said he eventually decided to cooperate with federal investigators because he "couldn't take it anymore."
Why were they even raiding this woman's house?
I'm not particularly happy to have my kneejerk "crooked narc cops" reaction reinforced.
"There is no "taboo" on using nuclear weapons." -Julhelm
What is Project Zohar? "On a serious note (well not really) I did sometimes jump in and rate nBSG episodes a '5' before the episode even aired or I saw it."- RogueIce explaining that episode ratings on SDN tv show threads are bunk
Mr Bean wrote:I sure as hell remember this story and the thread that went along with it.
link to that thread? my search fu is weak
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Mr Bean wrote:I sure as hell remember this story and the thread that went along with it.
link to that thread? my search fu is weak
Dude. It's in the OP. Zod did all the leg work for you.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it. Blank Yellow (NSFW)
Another problem. "No-Knock Warrants" Especially with plain clothes cops. How the fuck is a person to know it is a cop? If someone broke down my door and had guns drawn, you better be damn sure I will use whatever means are at my disposal to defend myself. Those things are just... disasters waiting to happen.
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Mr Bean wrote:I sure as hell remember this story and the thread that went along with it.
link to that thread? my search fu is weak
Dude. It's in the OP. Zod did all the leg work for you.
hey look at me with my head up my ass, I scrolled past the top of the OP because I ASSumed it was only the new article link.
"War.... it's faaaaaantastic!" <--- Hot Shots:Part Duex "Psychos don't explode when sunlight hits them, I don't care how fucking crazy they are!"~ Seth from Dusk Till Dawn
|BotM|Justice League's Lethal Protector
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Another problem. "No-Knock Warrants" Especially with plain clothes cops. How the fuck is a person to know it is a cop? If someone broke down my door and had guns drawn, you better be damn sure I will use whatever means are at my disposal to defend myself. Those things are just... disasters waiting to happen.
Then you are an idiot. Like I said in the original thread to the other idiots that said this dumbass shit, if they aren't cops you are probably going to be dead or end up with a severe ass kicking anyway, because they are there to rob or kill you, but more than likely they ARE cops and then you just turned yourself into a fucking murderer because somebody made a mistake. First the cops, then you. On top of that you you get to be dead.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it. Blank Yellow (NSFW)
havokeff wrote:Then you are an idiot. Like I said in the original thread to the other idiots that said this dumbass shit, if they aren't cops you are probably going to be dead or end up with a severe ass kicking anyway, because they are there to rob or kill you, but more than likely they ARE cops and then you just turned yourself into a fucking murderer because somebody made a mistake. First the cops, then you. On top of that you you get to be dead.
If they are there to rob or kill me, then what's my incentive to lay on the floor and hope for the best? That maybe if I'm cooperate and beg for my life they'll only pistol-whip me and be on their merry way? These guys already busted down the door to my house, they're not going to be asking for milk and cookies. Defending yourself by any means necessary is pretty much the only course of action, I can't just sit there trying to decide whether they are holding their guns like cops or not.
Alyrium Denryle wrote:Another problem. "No-Knock Warrants" Especially with plain clothes cops. How the fuck is a person to know it is a cop? If someone broke down my door and had guns drawn, you better be damn sure I will use whatever means are at my disposal to defend myself. Those things are just... disasters waiting to happen.
Then you are an idiot. Like I said in the original thread to the other idiots that said this dumbass shit, if they aren't cops you are probably going to be dead or end up with a severe ass kicking anyway, because they are there to rob or kill you, but more than likely they ARE cops and then you just turned yourself into a fucking murderer because somebody made a mistake. First the cops, then you. On top of that you you get to be dead.
The word murder is a bit harsh here don't you think. Assuming that you honestly and reasonably felt that the cops were home invaders intent on killing you, and you shot them first (and assuming for the sake of argument that the cops either didn't have the chance to shoot back before you killed them, or you they did shoot back and you somehow survived) wouldn't the deaths be ruled justifiable homicide or a tragic accident not murder?
You guys are idiots. Do you really think that cops bust down the door and don't say "POLICE! DOWN ON THE FLOOR!" or something to that effect? Do you think that they just point their guns at you and say nothing and hope that you can figure out the situation? Did I really have to put in that a no knock warrant while not involving the "Open up, Police" part, doesn't have some sort of announcement at the time of the door being bashed in or immediately after that they are IN FACT Police?
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it. Blank Yellow (NSFW)
GE: You know what? I probably did need to add that. My apologies.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it. Blank Yellow (NSFW)
From the looks of how the police tried to put up a elaborate cover story I don't think they did.
Brotherhood of the Monkey @( !.! )@ To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. ~Steve Prefontaine Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
havokeff wrote:You guys are idiots. Do you really think that cops bust down the door and don't say "POLICE! DOWN ON THE FLOOR!" or something to that effect? Do you think that they just point their guns at you and say nothing and hope that you can figure out the situation? Did I really have to put in that a no knock warrant while not involving the "Open up, Police" part, doesn't have some sort of announcement at the time of the door being bashed in or immediately after that they are IN FACT Police?
Any idiot can scream "POLICE! DOWN ON THE FLOOR!" It doesn't mean he's actually a cop.
W have been advised by the police in our area that home invaders have been using stolen or fake police uniforms to get into people's houses. We are advised that if a police officer comes to the door that we should call 911 and confirm that there should be an officer at our house before we open the door. If I'm being told, by the police that I should not trust someone who looks like a police officer, why the hell am I going to believe someone who isn't wearing a uniform and breaks into my house with a gun, just because they say they're police?
Post 666: Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:51 am
Post 777: Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:49 pm
Post 999: Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:19 am
And if you think that you should take everything said at face value, then I'm from the IRS, and I'd like to audit your wallet. Right now. In all seriousness, we're seeing that, right here, police aren't being honest in no-knock cases 100% of the time, and honestly, their legality and safety is dubious even when we assume police integrity. When someone being broken in on has to figure out 'Are these criminals, are these police, are are these criminal police?' It's already shaky when it's trying to pick out two possibilities, and I already come down firmly against the concept, but when the police have demonstrated that they're not even using them in good faith, do they deserve such a tool?
Chronological Incontinence: Time warps around the poster. The thread topic winks out of existence and reappears in 1d10 posts.
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-'If you really want to fuck with these idiots tell them that there is a vaccine for chemtrails.'
Honestly, I'd like a comparison between No-Knock Raids with a SWAT team in some random American city and a housecleaning operation in Fallujah or Basra with military. They already use exactly the same guns, armor, tactics, and uparmored vehicles. My point is where does Drug War turn into Civil War?
Wow. They ROUTINELY planted drugs in order to convict people? That's just pure thuggery right there. Just how corrupt is the Atlanta police force? Is there anything about Georgia which is NOT fucked up?
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Darth Wong wrote:Wow. They ROUTINELY planted drugs in order to convict people? That's just pure thuggery right there. Just how corrupt is the Atlanta police force?
I think it's high (excuse the pun) time to investigate EVERY LAST SWAT team and narcotics squad in America for this behavior. This idea of military attacks on essentially random Americans for essentially no reason whatsoever is at direct odds with the gun-ownership meme in such a way that it can only have been designed that way to bring the government into conflict with the People. The mere fact that some opportunistic vulture figured out how to monetize and profit from this by privatizing the prison system makes the cancerous atrocity all the worse and more difficult to excise.
Don't forget the profits from auctioning off seized property. Oh hey we found drugs here, guess that means you bought everything here with drug money so now we're going to take it all. Have fun trying to prove you bought it with legit money.
"There is no "taboo" on using nuclear weapons." -Julhelm
What is Project Zohar? "On a serious note (well not really) I did sometimes jump in and rate nBSG episodes a '5' before the episode even aired or I saw it."- RogueIce explaining that episode ratings on SDN tv show threads are bunk
I have to agree with Ein that the civilian enforcement mechanics of America definately need to be redone. When rich white suburbanite kids worry about how the cops are going to hassle them, you know you have problems and you sure as hell know that poor immigrants are getting treated a thousand times worse. The simple blatant thuggery is idiotic and should not have such a place in society. Fuck the police.
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Darth Wong wrote:Wow. They ROUTINELY planted drugs in order to convict people? That's just pure thuggery right there. Just how corrupt is the Atlanta police force? Is there anything about Georgia which is NOT fucked up?
It gives a lot more credibility to people who claim that the drugs were planted on them by the cops when you actually catch some that did it, don't it?
Brotherhood of the Monkey @( !.! )@ To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. ~Steve Prefontaine Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Zod did all the leg work for you.
