Fail to comply? Get head placed to curb and smashed.

[SirNitram]

Link

A man died after Swissvale police subdued him with a Taser last night.

Allegheny County police said today they are investigating the incident, which occurred just before midnight on Hawthorne Avenue.

The deceased, Andre Thomas, was positively identified this morning by his parents, Dennis L. and Donna Thomas of Monroeville.

The father said authorities have not explained any details surrounding his son's death.

"I want to know what happened, what was the particular incident that caused my son's death," Dennis Thomas said.

Swissvale officers responded to calls for a man acting erratically and trying to enter houses.

One resident on that block said Andre Thomas had knocked on some doors, yelling that someone was trying to shoot him. Police have not confirmed that account.

Swissvale officers encountered Mr. Thomas, 37, in front of a residence in the 2200 block, county investigators said.

James Morton, assistant superintendent of county police, said today that Mr. Thomas refused to comply with the policemen's orders to submit to them. An officer used a Taser to subdue him.

A neighbor said she saw Mr. Thomas standing with the prongs of the Taser still attached to him when four Swissvale officers forced him to the ground and handcuffed him.
"I saw them shove [Mr. Thomas] to the ground, and they handcuffed him," the neighbor said. "They killed that man. They killed him. They killed him," she added, her hands trembling. The woman said she saw one officer stomp on Mr. Thomas's upper back, holding his foot there while the subject lay on the sidewalk with his head hanging over the curb. Another officer "reared back and punched him in the head with all his might," she said.

Mr. Thomas vomited. Then, for several minutes, he lay motionless, another nearby resident said, before an ambulance was called. The rescue truck stayed on the scene for several minutes more before Mr. Thomas was taken away, the witness said.

Supt. Morton said medics treated Mr. Thomas inside the ambulance at the scene before proceeding to UPMC Braddock.

Mr. Thomas was pronounced dead at the hospital at 12:46 a.m.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy.

I'm gonna guess the curbstomping might have something to do with it. Jus' saying.

[Eulogy]

Another day, another bunch of corrupt pigs killing innocents.

If the account is true, then the swine are gulity of murder. They curbstomped him after he was handcuffed, and therefore posed little threat, therefore they murdered him. QED.

[Death from the Sea]

A neighbor said she saw Mr. Thomas standing with the prongs of the Taser still attached to him when four Swissvale officers forced him to the ground and handcuffed him.

she must have really good eyesight, those prongs are not that big.

"I saw them shove [Mr. Thomas] to the ground, and they handcuffed him," the neighbor said.

ok, depending on the situation that is fine.

"They killed that man. They killed him. They killed him," she added, her hands trembling. The woman said she saw one officer stomp on Mr. Thomas's upper back, holding his foot there while the subject lay on the sidewalk with his head hanging over the curb.

yeah, that is not good. But it could have been the officer placing his foot on the guys back to keep him from rolling over or moving in general. IF that was the case then it was a poor choice because it always looks like you are stepping on the suspect and there are better ways to hold them down. Most departments don't train like that though.

Another officer "reared back and punched him in the head with all his might," she said.

with the suspect being handcuffed at that point, I can't even think of something that would make that justified or even something else that it could have been mistaken for.

I'm gonna guess the curbstomping might have something to do with it. Jus' saying.

I am wondering, since he vomited, if it was that he had some kind of severe head trauma from the head strike or if there is something else. But from the sound of it, he was hanging over the curb from the sidewalk, not laying on the curb from the street like in American History X where they killed that kid that way.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Yes, my first impulse when several police kill an unarmed man is it was probably procedure and bystanders just hate the fuzz. You know, its pretty fucking scary to go on TV and claim cops killed someone.

[Saxtonite]

You know, its pretty fucking scary to go on TV and claim cops killed someone.

How so?

[loomer]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

[Death from the Sea]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

[Death from the Sea]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

oh yeah, forgot to add that is in addition to the official oppression charges and federal civil rights violation charges that would stem from such an act.

[Diomedes]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

Yeah, because cops you just witnessed and reported murdering someone would never risk a felony, and anyone who would fear such a thing is just paranoid.

[SirNitram]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

Let's be honest with ourselves and just admit that cops have wide discretion to do alot of things that ruin a person's day. Black-white 'Nothing or Gestpo' is fallacious and stupid.

[loomer]

You know not all cops are straight, right? They're not all exactly shining beacons of morality, and they do have a far higher ability to commit crimes and escape untouched (here's a hint: It's called the manipulation and fabrication of evidence to make themselves appear less guilty and someone else more so), largely because of the trust of people like you and the way the system is structured.

[Death from the Sea]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

Let's be honest with ourselves and just admit that cops have wide discretion to do alot of things that ruin a person's day. Black-white 'Nothing or Gestpo' is fallacious and stupid.

police do have alot of discretion to do alot of things that could ruin a persons day, but most people would agree their day is ruined by a speeding ticket.

One thing to consider is that those officers should be on suspension pending the IA investigation of the incident. So their "police powers" are not a factor any more.

[Ohma]

police do have alot of discretion to do alot of things that could ruin a persons day, but most people would agree their day is ruined by a speeding ticket.

And this is supposed to mean what exactly?

[Thanas]

Just why the fuck does this shit happens so much in the US?

I would be hard pressed to find a similar incident within the last ten years in german history. OTOH, stories of american police officers beating down, killing or being accused of killing people happens almost once a week. Just what the fuck is wrong with the american police?

[Illuminatus Primus]

Because then, if they did, they or their buddies might pay you a little visit.

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

Yes, because the average person sees people legally allowed to use force to make a citizen comply KILL someone on the street, and its natural to think that you should put your name and face with denunciations of them. Right.

[SirNitram]

and do what? they ain't the gestapo that will make you disappear in the night with no one to ever see you again. They can't it is called retaliation and is a felony (in most states).

Let's be honest with ourselves and just admit that cops have wide discretion to do alot of things that ruin a person's day. Black-white 'Nothing or Gestpo' is fallacious and stupid.

police do have alot of discretion to do alot of things that could ruin a persons day, but most people would agree their day is ruined by a speeding ticket.

So you admit they don't have to be the Gestapo to be something no one would want to get the ire of. Thanks.

[Stargate Nerd]

Just why the fuck does this shit happens so much in the US?

I would be hard pressed to find a similar incident within the last ten years in german history. OTOH, stories of american police officers beating down, killing or being accused of killing people happens almost once a week. Just what the fuck is wrong with the american police?

Because they almost always get away with it. No repercussions besides few weeks suspension with pay.

[Death from the Sea]

Let's be honest with ourselves and just admit that cops have wide discretion to do alot of things that ruin a person's day. Black-white 'Nothing or Gestpo' is fallacious and stupid.

police do have alot of discretion to do alot of things that could ruin a persons day, but most people would agree their day is ruined by a speeding ticket.

So you admit they don't have to be the Gestapo to be something no one would want to get the ire of. Thanks.

I was saying that all the automatic "oh the police will retaliate against someone who is a witness against them" rhetoric is unwarranted and over played.

[SirNitram]

So you admit they don't have to be the Gestapo to be something no one would want to get the ire of. Thanks.

I was saying that all the automatic "oh the police will retaliate against someone who is a witness against them" rhetoric is unwarranted and over played.

And your reason why was... 'They're not the Gestapo'. That is not a logical rebuttal. Please feel free to put one forward, if you actually have one.

[loomer]

police do have alot of discretion to do alot of things that could ruin a persons day, but most people would agree their day is ruined by a speeding ticket.

So you admit they don't have to be the Gestapo to be something no one would want to get the ire of. Thanks.

I was saying that all the automatic "oh the police will retaliate against someone who is a witness against them" rhetoric is unwarranted and over played.

Jesus christ you're a dumb fuck. Don't you do this like, every time there's an allegation of police misconduct?

IF they did, in fact, murder the guy then they are not good police officers.

They are corrupt. That becomes a fact as soon as they kill without reasonable cause.

What reason does a corrupt cop have to follow the law and department regulations, except to avoid being caught? None. Additionally, if they have already deliberately killed once beyond their duty then there is little reason to assume they will not do so again to protect themselves - or their friends.

If he's the only bad apple, then chances are the witness would be completely safe. But let's say there's another officer who isn't on the level and owes the other one a favour... THAT is where things get messy, you dumb fuck.

[Death from the Sea]

Jesus christ you're a dumb fuck. Don't you do this like, every time there's an allegation of police misconduct?

maybe, but it is more about not just jumping in and taking a single article as gospel and knowing that even if certain parts of the story printed are true, it is possible that some have been either misrepresented, omitted or misinterpreted.

IF they did, in fact, murder the guy then they are not good police officers.

I would agree that an officer murders someone or kills someone using excessive force then they are probably not a good officer. But remember even good officers can make mistakes and it could have been the case here, not to say that he shouldn't be held accountable

They are corrupt. That becomes a fact as soon as they kill without reasonable cause.

you make it sound as if the officer intentionally killed a guy and then covered it up or is on the take and violating civil rights every day. The officer might have later come out and admitted that he fucked up and I would not call that the actions of a corrupt officer, just one who made a terrible mistake.

What reason does a corrupt cop have to follow the law and department regulations, except to avoid being caught? None. Additionally, if they have already deliberately killed once beyond their duty then there is little reason to assume they will not do so again to protect themselves - or their friends.

so according to you the corrupt cops, who don't follow rules and regs or the law, should be caught quickly because the only way to avoid being caught is to follow the law and department regulations... wow. Who said that they deliberately killed that guy? How do you know that the officer wasn't just trying to kick the guys ass? and didn't realize the force used in that particular location, the curb, would result in the guys death in the split second that he probably decided to throw that punch.

If he's the only bad apple, then chances are the witness would be completely safe. But let's say there's another officer who isn't on the level and owes the other one a favour... THAT is where things get messy, you dumb fuck.

you have seen too many movies. Police departments are not riddled with corruption that you see in the movies where half the cops are hitmen for the mob or dealing drugs on the street under street monikers. Departments have a special division called INTERNAL AFFAIRS that is tasked with investigating officers that are accused of misconduct and abuse of power. For those of you that don't think an in-custody death is not fully investigated by the local city, county, state and FEDERAL government, then think again or at least that is how it is here. That is four different agencies (at least) conducting investigations on such cases.

so do yourself a favor and lay off watching Training Day for your information on how police operate.

[Winston Blake]

I'm gonna guess the curbstomping might have something to do with it. Jus' saying.

I am wondering, since he vomited, if it was that he had some kind of severe head trauma from the head strike or if there is something else. But from the sound of it, he was hanging over the curb from the sidewalk, not laying on the curb from the street like in American History X where they killed that kid that way.

Vomiting is very common after head injuries. Were you suggesting he was on drugs? It's probably something to do with the fluid in your balance organs being splashed all over the place - the ultimate form of 'being dizzy from spinning around in chair'.

I agree that it's more of a curb-rabbitpunching than a curb-stomping per se, but if anything, that's more horrific not less. For those who don't recognise the term, a rabbit punch (or chop) is a very easy, effective way of putting small animals out of their misery by severing the spinal cord with a blow to the back of the head. That's why such blows are illegal in boxing.

[SirNitram]

Jesus christ you're a dumb fuck. Don't you do this like, every time there's an allegation of police misconduct?

maybe, but it is more about not just jumping in and taking a single article as gospel and knowing that even if certain parts of the story printed are true, it is possible that some have been either misrepresented, omitted or misinterpreted.

Except.. It's not just one article. There's lots of articles about excessive force leading to death out there. There's several about excessive taser user leading to death. So this really does not wash, at all.

[Death from the Sea]

Vomiting is very common after head injuries. Were you suggesting he was on drugs? It's probably something to do with the fluid in your balance organs being splashed all over the place - the ultimate form of 'being dizzy from spinning around in chair'.

no, I was not really saying drugs, I was just wondering if someone could be punched hard enough to give them bad enough head trauma to make them vomit or if there was another factor that added to it.

[Death from the Sea]

Jesus christ you're a dumb fuck. Don't you do this like, every time there's an allegation of police misconduct?

maybe, but it is more about not just jumping in and taking a single article as gospel and knowing that even if certain parts of the story printed are true, it is possible that some have been either misrepresented, omitted or misinterpreted.

Except.. It's not just one article. There's lots of articles about excessive force leading to death out there. There's several about excessive taser user leading to death. So this really does not wash, at all.

so how many articles have you seen on this particular incident? that is what I am referring to. I have not seen any updates. Those other articles/incidents don't really factor into what happened in this instance.