Re: Atlanta police officer fired after fatally shooting black man Rayshard Brooks
He stopped being a fleeing suspect as soon as he turned around with a deadly weapon, watch the video, the cop does not go for his firearm until Brooks turns around, WHY IS THAT? If he was intent on shooting a fleeing suspect like you have to believe, why didn't he have his service weapon out ALREADY? Because that's not what happened....is it?
You're massaging reality to fit your preconceived conclusion.
When I first read about this incident, I was on the cop's side. But as with much reporting, the original reports were erroneous. I watched the videos, in detail. So did the prosecuting attorney. As I said, this did not have to happen as it did. A man is dead who should not be, and an officer charged for use of excessive force.
You are wrong on major points, and I suspect why. You are not objective. Even a little.
First, the officers had no reason to arrest him. That was discretionary. A citation would have sufficed. They could have watched him walk to his sister's house, which was visible from the parking lot. He had not been in operation of the vehicle for at least 45 minutes, and had voluntarily surrendered his keys. They had his ID.
Second, a taser is not defined by Georgia law as a "handgun" or "dangerous weapon" or a "deadly weapon". It can be,
depending on the circumstances considered an "offensive" weapon, Harwell v. State, 512 S.E.2d 892 (Ga. Sup. Ct. 1999), or "a weapon likely to result in serious bodily injury". (Whether a weapon is deadly or one likely to cause serious bodily injury is a question for the jury, which may consider all the circumstances surrounding the weapon and the manner in which it was used. Williams v. State, 127 Ga.App. 386(1), 193 S.E.2d 633 (1972). See also Arnett v. State, 245 Ga. 470(3), 265 S.E.2d 771 (1980). Cf. Smith v. Hardrick, 266 Ga. 54(2), 464 S.E.2d 198 (1995))
In this instance, the taser had been discharged (twice, according to the information) and inoperable, and he was well beyond the taser's range (18 feet) when he was shot. That is also apparent on the video. So it would be hard to argue it is an offensive weapon or a weapon which could cause serious injury
under the circumstances.
Third, he didn't "turn around", as you assert. He continued to flee, while pointing the empty taser behind him. The two shots penetrated his BACK. So, your supposition doesn't match the evidence. No need to "try again".
