However, I think he should absolutely be convicted for this one.

He opened fired on a man in the dark in a stairwell and the guy was only coming down the stairs because the elevator was broke.

And, the officer wouldn't render assistance or call the PD or answer them when they were trying to get a hold of him. I believe he was on the phone with his union trying to CYA and that precious time could have been saving the guys life. Gurleys girlfriend was talking to him as he lie dying so it wasn't an immediate death.

and how it seems like they've managed to get the white cops to roll on the black cops. Sigh.

But, yeah: even if I grant that the discharge was negligent rather than intentional (granting all of the defense's factual claims), that's still manslaughter. We learned from day 1 in the Marines: you don't shoot unless you've made your target.

in charge of the men but wasn't even present for what they did.

That will always stay with me. I mean the guy was only selling loose cigarettes and they piled on him and one choked him to death, which to this day I believe was on purpose. That office had to be trying to cut off his air to kill the man with his bare hands in that choke hold and while Gray was saying, "I can't breathe." How the police acted afterwards including turning their backs on the mayor and acting like anyone who wanted an investigation must be against cops showed the complete us against them mentality that PD's run under.

I still can't think straight when I think about that.

Last edited Sun Feb 21, 2016, 06:49 AM - Edit history (1)

That still gets me emotionally. That one isn't going to leave me.

Edited, and yes, I'm confusing Freddy Grey with Eric Garner. Freddy gray is spinal injuries. Very bad on that one too.

Eric Garner however stays with me. That one's got me emotionally. I never met the man but I feel like he's someone I would know. I hope the people around his kids are helping them any way they can. I'm going to get some sleep...

I assumed trillion mistyped when he called him "Gray"

Of course, with so any unarmed black men murdered by cops, it's hard not to be confused sometimes.

In most disputed shootings, there is some kind of way to claim self-defense (even if it's bullshit). Or some way for a defense lawyer to muddy the waters.

Here, he opened fire into a dark stairwell while the victim was strolling down the stairs with his girlfriend.

There was no possible defense.

Also, he left the victim to bleed and die while he called his union rep.

I'm not saying Liang doesn't deserve prison; I do think this speaks to a double-standard in enforcement.

there were none here.

There was no way he couldn't be prosecuted and convicted.

Also, the DA in Brooklyn is black.

Messy facts, many parties, etc.
as the grump old da on law and order piled say, a first year law student could get a conviction on these facts.

It's like so much of race in America: I can tell you exactly how we got where we are, but I still can't smile about it.

Probably would not have been .

Thank you. That sums it up best.

Case echoes of Bernhard Goetz?

Would they be protesting if the Officer were not Chinese-American?

Complex issues, every day.

many white P.O. get off scot-free.

They weren't supposed to be in the building.

on vertical patrol.

Were they in pursuit? Not likely separated by a floor.

Meeting an informant? Possible but still separated?

Taking a payoff? Makes sense for one to stand watch.

Tis a puzzlement.

Also, the prosecution's argument is that it wasn't an accident. That he fired upon hearing a noise. I still doubt he will get a stiff sentence.

(1) In a non threatening situation he had his weapon drawn and his finger on the trigger , a violation of about every safety and departmemt policy anywhere.
(2) after the individual was shot they stood by and did not offer any medical assistance which is inexcusable under any circumstaces.

Now it was an accident but you don't get points for being stupid

That's a gift horse of justice I won't look in the mouth - but there is some truth in your question.

and the prosecution still just barely got a conviction...