Thomas Lane, a former Minneapolis police officer, has been released from prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. The 41-year-old rookie cop, who had only been on the job for four days before the tragic incident occurred, was sentenced to three years in prison. It raises the question of whether Lane deserved to be convicted for his role in the incident.
Lane’s case is a complicated one, as he was the least experienced officer on the scene that fateful day. Being brand new to the force, he likely felt pressured to follow the lead of more senior officers who were present.… Continue reading
As the news of the tragic death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson continues to circulate, it is infuriating to see the lack of immediate action to hold the Florida deputy accountable for his actions. The fact that this deputy has not yet faced charges is appalling, especially when there is clear body cam footage showcasing the unjustifiable nature of the incident. It is a stark reminder of the delayed and denied justice that often plagues Black individuals in America.
The demand from the lawyer and family of Senior Airman Roger Fortson for the deputy to face charges is more than justified.… Continue reading
As I reflect on the egregious injustice that is unfolding in the case of a child rapist ex-cop receiving a mere 10-weekend jail sentence, I am left feeling overwhelmed with disgust and anger. The fact that someone who was entrusted to protect and serve the community could commit such a heinous crime and receive such a lenient punishment is a stark reminder of the brokenness of our justice system.
Reading about how the prosecutor and judge involved in the case felt compelled to accept the plea agreement due to the impact testifying would have on the victim is both heartbreaking and enraging.… Continue reading
Former Rochester Police officer Shawn Jordan received a sentence of 10 weekends in jail for the rape of a 13-year-old girl. Let that sink in. A grown man, a former law enforcement officer, admitted to raping a child, and his punishment is barely a blip in the justice system. This is not just a miscarriage of justice; it is a slap in the face to all victims of sexual assault, especially minors.
The fact that Jordan will only serve 10 weekends in jail is appalling. It sends a message that if you are a cop, you can get away with heinous crimes, even those as despicable as raping a child.… Continue reading
As I read the tragic story of 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young, a pregnant woman who was fatally shot by an Ohio police officer over a suspected shoplifting incident, my heart aches for the unnecessary loss of two lives. The fact that she was pregnant makes the situation even more heart-wrenching. It is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, especially when it is taken away due to a split-second decision made in high-pressure situations.
The officer involved, Officer Grubb, has now been charged with murder, and the legal proceedings will determine the outcome of this case. The debate on whether he should be charged with double murder due to Young being pregnant is another layer of complexity in this tragic event.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness and outrage when I read about the horrific ordeal that this police recruit, Victor Moses, had to endure. His dream of serving and protecting his community shattered, not by the criminals he thought he would be fighting, but by the very people who were supposed to be training him. The details of the incident, from the head injury during training to the paramedics clearing him to continue despite obvious signs of distress, are nothing short of a nightmare.
Moses, who had sickle cell trait, a condition that makes high-intensity exercise particularly risky, was put through a grueling training session that ended in the loss of both his legs.… Continue reading
I am struggling to wrap my head around the tragic events that unfolded in Macomb, Illinois, where a 4-year-old boy lost his life at the hands of the very people who were meant to protect and serve. The bodycam footage of the fatal police shooting of this young child and the man holding him hostage is nothing short of heart-wrenching. It is incomprehensible to think that in a situation where a man with a knife was holding a child, the immediate response was to shoot, ultimately resulting in the death of both the hostage taker and the innocent child he was holding.… Continue reading
She called for help, and we failed. These words from the sheriff ring hollow in the face of the horrific tragedy that unfolded. It wasn’t just a failure to respond adequately; it was a blatant act of violence that ended in the senseless death of an innocent woman. The lack of accountability and justice in this situation is appalling.
The hiring of a known dirty cop, with a history that should have raised red flags, reflects a systemic issue within law enforcement. How does someone with such a troubled past slip through the cracks and end up with a badge and a gun?… Continue reading
As I sit down to reflect on the alarming news about Deputy Sean Grayson, the man who tragically killed Sonya Massey, it’s impossible not to feel a wave of frustration and disbelief wash over me. The fact that Grayson had a track record of being kicked out of the army for misconduct, multiple DUIs, and the need for ‘high stress decision’ classes is deeply concerning. How did he manage to work at six different Illinois law enforcement agencies in just four years despite these glaring red flags? It’s a textbook example of someone who should never have been allowed to carry a gun, let alone hold a position of authority as a law enforcement officer.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel a deep sense of anger and frustration when I think about the tragic and senseless death of Sonya Massey at the hands of a law enforcement officer. The fact that the deputy charged in her fatal shooting had worked for 6 different agencies in just 4 years is deeply troubling. It begs the question – how was he able to continually move from one jurisdiction to another without facing any real consequences for his actions?
The idea of a police officer job hopping to avoid accountability is not only concerning but downright dangerous. It’s truly shocking to think that someone with such a troubled employment history was able to carry a badge and a gun, posing a significant threat to the public.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker