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Death of man beaten by North Chicago police classified as homicide

"Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd has reversed his office’s ruling from 'undetermined' to 'homicide' in the case of a man who died after North Chicago police restrained him, hit him with batons and shocked him with a Taser. Rudd said the blows 45-year-old Darrin 'Dagwood' Hanna absorbed from police batons initiated the string of medical events that caused his death in November 2011. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office in March 2012 declined to charge any of the officers involved, saying they used 'reasonable force' after responding to a domestic incident. One officer was later fired in connection with the incident and another was suspended for 30 days." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDeath of man beaten by North Chicago police classified as homicide

Honesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

"If you lie to a police officer, you can be charged with a crime. When – not if—a police officer lies to you, he’s carrying out a legitimate function of his job. That’s what former prosecutor Val Van Brocklin explained in an essay. Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper estimates that the typical police officer will lie several times during his daily duty shift. In a 2009 ruling, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a decision by an arbitrator reversing the termination of Kitsap County Sherriff’s deputy who had been fired for lying and other misconduct. The court agreed that honesty was not an essential function of a law enforcement officer’s job." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHonesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

Judge calls D.C. police officer charged with child sexual abuse a ‘danger’

"A District Court judge Tuesday ordered a veteran D.C. police officer to remain jailed after a second woman came forward to say he had sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager singing in a church choir he directed. During a preliminary hearing, D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz called Wendel Palmer a 'danger' who targeted adolescent girls. The hearing was for a charge that he repeatedly sexually abused a girl, beginning when she was 11 years old and lasting nearly three years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge calls D.C. police officer charged with child sexual abuse a ‘danger’

Colorado cops wrongfully shoot second dog in just two months

"For the second time in just two months, law enforcement officers in Colorado have been accused of wrongfully killing a man’s best friend. Business owner Jeff Fisher told KUSA that his 8-year-old dog, Ziggy, was shot and killed when Adams County deputies ended up at the wrong address while responding to a security alarm. Fisher recalled that Ziggy ran outside to check things out after deputies reportedly forced their way into his business. Seconds later, the dog was dead. In late November, home video showed officers in Commerce City shooting a pit bull named Chloe after she had already been restrained." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado cops wrongfully shoot second dog in just two months

It’s Funny? Even If Medicaid Expansion Saved Money, Citizens Wouldn’t See a Penny

Politicians, government bureaucrats, and the growing class of largely nonprofit corporate types who live off revenues siphoned from government entitlement spending make many a bizarre argument and manage to do it with a straight face.  It’s a rare moment when you can catch them chortling over the idea of pulling [...]

Continue ReadingIt’s Funny? Even If Medicaid Expansion Saved Money, Citizens Wouldn’t See a Penny

Former Lake County sheriff’s officer seeks lighter sentence for weapons trafficking

"Kabella, 42, and former officers Joseph Kumstar and Ronald Slusser, all of Crown Point, were indicted on charges of conspiring to use Lake County Sheriff's Department letterhead to buy automatic machine guns and laser sights intended strictly for law enforcement departments or the military and selling the parts for a profit online. The laser sights are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kabella, Kumstar and Slusser have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing. The three have since resigned from the Lake County Sheriff's Department." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Lake County sheriff’s officer seeks lighter sentence for weapons trafficking

The Type of Man Who Wants You Disarmed

"A lawmaker brandished an AK-47 on the floor of the House of Delegates in a wild stunt aimed at rallying support for tougher gun laws. Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Highland Springs, pulled the weapon out shortly after the day's session got underway. Morrissey was disbarred and lost his law license in 2003 after attacking a man — beating him with a large ring around his finger. According to legal brief filed on behalf of the victim, Morrissey shouted, 'I’m going to kill you. I’m going to beat your head in,' and then attempted to make good on his promise. When the man attempted to escape his beating, Morrissey 'smashed his head into the corner of a brick wall.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Type of Man Who Wants You Disarmed

Armed protesters rally at Washington State Capitol

"A group of protesters brandished their guns at the Washington State Capitol on Saturday to defend their right to bear arms. The event was organized by the group 2nd Enforcers, which warned many of the 30 gun-related bills to be considered by the state legislature were a threat to people’s Second Amendment rights. The bills would expand background checks to cover all gun purchases in the state, make leaving a loaded gun in a location accessible to children a crime of reckless endangerment, allow cities to prohibit guns at parks or recreational facilities, and ban guns from school campuses, among other things." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArmed protesters rally at Washington State Capitol

House Democrat Wants States To Get Paid To Seize Guns

"Rep. Mike Thompson, a Democratic congressman from California, has introduced a bill that would call for the federal government to pay states to take guns away from criminals and the 'dangerously mentally ill' who are prohibited from owning them. The Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013 would create a program within the Justice Department to give money to states that track down people who are barred from having firearms but own them anyway." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse Democrat Wants States To Get Paid To Seize Guns