Pepper-Spray Death of Suspect Ruled Homicide

Yes, this is old news and completely unrelated to OWS. I am posting this in an effort to dispel the notion pepper spray is a "non-lethal" weapon. I'm still seeing it referenced that way here, there and everywhere. Non-lethal weapon is an oxymoron. There is NO SUCH THING!

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Pepper-Spray-Death-Homicide-Police-NYPD-126390338.html

The death of a Bronx man who suffered an asthma attack after police pepper-sprayed him has been ruled a homicide. The Daily News reported Friday that the medical examiner determined Kemp Yarborough's death on March 8 was a homicide by "acute bronchial asthma during a physical altercation including pepper spray."

Is it less lethal than shooting protesters with a gun? Of course. Beating them with a billy club? Perhaps.

But it isn't something that just causes discomfort. It can and does result in real harm. Depending upon the physical condition of the person being sprayed, it can as we see from the story above, result in death. So please, I beg you. Do not use "non-lethal" in the same sentence as pepper spray. -- Oh, or "food item" either unless you are poking brutal fun of the bobble heads at Faux News ;-)

....and they would find a way to kill someone with them. They abuse every instrument they are issued. Every time they get a new toy, they are chompin at the bit to get to use it, and they do! I said some cops because I feel most cops do their jobs according to protocol. I come from a family full of law enforcement officers....state troopers, sheriff's deputies, local cops, and federal deputy marshals, so I'm no stranger to law enforcement abuse in Texas. Although I have never been arrested because of my this halo around my head! he he!

When I was a kid, we were headed to some relatives house for a visit when we saw a convict, being transported, jump out the back door of the police car he was in. My dad knew the officer driving, so he pulled over and helped in the pursuit. HE and the officer disappeared behind a building where the perp had ran to, and mom was worried as hell. Then we hear a gunshot! Dad and the officer came from behind the building dragging the suspect back to the patrol car. He had been kicking them and resisting all the way, so the officer pulled his gun and shot him in the leg. End of problem. Sounds brutal, I know, but that's how they did it in the 1950's in Texas.

Depending on the condition of the deterred and or the force at which it is applied, one can become deathly ill or die.