In Utica, NY, four prison guards were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the 2023 death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated Black man at Marcy Correctional Facility. The guards pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges, stemming from the brutal beating, which was captured on body camera footage. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina received 22-year terms, while Michael Mashaw and David Walters received sentences ranging from two years, four months to nine years. The sentencing followed the convictions and plea deals of other guards involved in the case, with the trial for another guard scheduled to begin in January and trials in another fatal beating at a different lockup.
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In response to a class action lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations, Judge Sara Ellis has mandated ICE agents wear body cameras during all enforcement activities and public interactions until November 6. This modification follows an initial temporary restraining order that restricted the use of riot control weapons against protestors and journalists, with specific requirements for warnings and opportunities to comply. Judge Ellis cited concerns about ICE compliance as the reason for the expanded order, particularly after reviewing reports of potential violations. Witnesses from ICE, including high-ranking officials, have been ordered to testify in court regarding these alleged breaches of the original order.
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AP News reports that a federal judge in Chicago has ordered immigration officers in the area to wear body cameras following observations of aggressive tactics used against protesters. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis expressed concerns after viewing media images of clashes between agents and the public, leading to this mandate. The judge has also banned the use of certain riot control techniques against peaceful protesters and journalists. While the Justice Department cited concerns about the immediate availability of cameras and blamed “one-sided” media reports, the judge has mandated that all agents in the “Operation Midway Blitz” operation must wear and utilize the body-worn cameras.
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Body camera footage from a recent traffic stop in Oklahoma City shows an officer taking a 71-year-old driver, Lich Vu, to the ground and handcuffing him after an argument over a citation. The incident resulted in Mr. Vu sustaining serious injuries, including a skull fracture, leading to his hospitalization. The officer, who remains unidentified, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, and the incident will be presented to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office for review. Thuan Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, has expressed concern about the officer’s use of force, calling it excessive and demanding accountability.
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The news of murder charges being filed against a sheriff’s deputy is not only shocking but deeply troubling. The fact that someone entrusted with upholding the law has allegedly committed such a heinous act is beyond comprehension. The victim, a single mother of two, called the cops for help and ended up losing her life. The details of the incident are disturbing, with reports of a single shot to the head, essentially an execution.
It is concerning to think about the power dynamics at play in situations like these. Law enforcement officers should be held to a higher standard than the general population as they are tasked with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the community.… Continue reading
I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief at the recent news of a Louisville police detective being disciplined for failing to activate his body-worn camera during the arrest of Scottie Scheffler. It’s alarming to think about the implications of this misconduct and the potential consequences it could have had if not for the fortunate circumstances surrounding Scheffler’s case.
The revelation that a video of the arrest surfaced, contradicting the police statement of what transpired, raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency within law enforcement. It begs the question of whether this disciplinary action is truly sufficient in addressing the gravity of the situation.… Continue reading
New Videos Contradict NYPD Account of Lead-Up to Times Square Attack on Cops
It’s both disheartening and infuriating to see that even with the presence of body cameras, police officers still lie about what actually happens during altercations. It makes me wonder just how often they lied before these cameras became a requirement. It’s a broken record, but something needs to change.
One thing that strikes me is the fact that when a civilian says something happened and it turns out not to be true, it’s considered a lie. But when a police officer does the same, it’s often labeled as “video contradicts” or “accounts vary.”… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker
Federal Judge Orders ICE to Wear Body Cameras in Chicago Enforcement
In response to a class action lawsuit alleging First Amendment violations, Judge Sara Ellis has mandated ICE agents wear body cameras during all enforcement activities and public interactions until November 6. This modification follows an initial temporary restraining order that restricted the use of riot control weapons against protestors and journalists, with specific requirements for warnings and opportunities to comply. Judge Ellis cited concerns about ICE compliance as the reason for the expanded order, particularly after reviewing reports of potential violations. Witnesses from ICE, including high-ranking officials, have been ordered to testify in court regarding these alleged breaches of the original order.
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