Animal Farm

Ohio cop on paid leave after threatening handcuffed family with Taser

"Police in Washington Township, Ohio are investigating an officer’s conduct after footage surfaced online of him waving his Tazer at two people already handcuffed on the ground and seemingly grabbing a teenage boy during a traffic stop. The Toledo Blade reported on Wednesday that Officer Eric Hart was on paid leave while his department investigates his encounter on Sunday with Aaron Tatkowski, his daughter-in-law Cassandra Meyers, and Meyers’ 14-year-old son. The description for the video contends that Hart blocked Tatkowski’s driveway while stopping Meyers, and that the confrontation began after Tatkowski asked Hart to move his vehicle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOhio cop on paid leave after threatening handcuffed family with Taser

Ohio cop on paid leave after threatening handcuffed family with Taser

"Police in Washington Township, Ohio are investigating an officer’s conduct after footage surfaced online of him waving his Tazer at two people already handcuffed on the ground and seemingly grabbing a teenage boy during a traffic stop. The Toledo Blade reported on Wednesday that Officer Eric Hart was on paid leave while his department investigates his encounter on Sunday with Aaron Tatkowski, his daughter-in-law Cassandra Meyers, and Meyers’ 14-year-old son. The description for the video contends that Hart blocked Tatkowski’s driveway while stopping Meyers, and that the confrontation began after Tatkowski asked Hart to move his vehicle." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOhio cop on paid leave after threatening handcuffed family with Taser

Man shot, paralyzed by police after traffic stop mis-identification

"A police affidavit filed in the criminal case against Mr. Ford accused him of refusing to get out of the car, then putting the car in drive as two officers tried to pull him out and as Officer Derbish entered from the passenger's side. In the affidavit, police also accused Mr. Ford of trying to push Officer Derbish out of the car while it was moving rapidly. Police wrote that that's why Officer Derbish shot Mr. Ford. Officer Derbish shot Mr. Ford four times, according to the complaint, shattering one lower back vertebra and damaging two others, and injuring his thigh and chest. He has no feeling below the waist and isn't expected to regain the ability to walk, according to Mr. Rabner." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan shot, paralyzed by police after traffic stop mis-identification

Man shot, paralyzed by police after traffic stop mis-identification

"A police affidavit filed in the criminal case against Mr. Ford accused him of refusing to get out of the car, then putting the car in drive as two officers tried to pull him out and as Officer Derbish entered from the passenger's side. In the affidavit, police also accused Mr. Ford of trying to push Officer Derbish out of the car while it was moving rapidly. Police wrote that that's why Officer Derbish shot Mr. Ford. Officer Derbish shot Mr. Ford four times, according to the complaint, shattering one lower back vertebra and damaging two others, and injuring his thigh and chest. He has no feeling below the waist and isn't expected to regain the ability to walk, according to Mr. Rabner." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMan shot, paralyzed by police after traffic stop mis-identification

Georgia congressman complains: ‘I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year’

"A Georgia Republican congressman was caught complaining about what he described as a low salary in a closed-door meeting with fellow party members concerning the Affordable Care Act. During a discussion concerning a possible exemption for lawmakers and staff members from taking part in the state health exchanges mandated by the new law, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) reportedly lamented that aides can become lobbyists 'and make 500,000 a year. Meanwhile I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year.' USA Today reported that Gingrey’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million and $7.6 million, while the median household income in Georgia is $49,736." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGeorgia congressman complains: ‘I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year’

Deaf man claims police laughed at him, denied interpreter during arrest

"A deaf Oregon man has filed a lawsuit claiming that police violated his civil rights when they laughed at his request for a sign language interpreter during his arrest. According to the site, Updike used sign language to ask officers what he’d done to result in his arrest, and he also tried to speak the words, 'What did I do?' The suit claims officers pushed him roughly into a patrol car and laughed at him. An interpreter was assigned when Updike appeared again two days after his arrest. He was released from jail, and all charges were dropped against Updike eight days after his arrest." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDeaf man claims police laughed at him, denied interpreter during arrest

Police officer researched romantic rivals using criminal justice databases

"A former Tucson police officer who pleaded guilty to computer tampering for using criminal justice databases to check up on romantic rivals has been sentenced to probation. Pima County prosecutors say Andrea Middleton was given three months of probation Friday. She pleaded guilty to two counts of computer tampering last month. Middleton resigned in June from the police department, where she had worked for seven years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPolice officer researched romantic rivals using criminal justice databases

“You Know How to Leave”: Scenes from a Police Riot in Idaho Falls

"The initial police contact – to investigate a noise complaint, recall – occurred at around 10:49 PM. Within about twenty minutes, the air was thick with shouting and screaming, and a fleet of about a dozen police cars had converged on the address. Lund’s attack on Dindo left the living room floor filled with shattered furniture. So in the interests of preserving the 'peace,' Lund and his costumed buddies assaulted two unresisting men, committed felonious battery on a 79-year-old woman and a pregnant mother, destroyed property, terrorized a completely innocent next-door neighbor, and disrupted an entire city block. The Madrigals were able to post unedited video of most of the episode on-line." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“You Know How to Leave”: Scenes from a Police Riot in Idaho Falls

California poised to become first state to impose full ban on lead bullets

"California is on the verge of becoming the first state to impose a full ban on hunting with lead bullets -- with environmentalists and gun-rights advocates squaring off as Gov. Jerry Brown decides whether to sign the legislation. The state already has a ban on lead-bullet hunting in eight counties with an endangered condor population. But the new proposal, overwhelmingly approved this month by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, would impose a statewide ban on all hunting. Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has until Oct. 12 to decide whether to sign the legislation, which would not be fully implemented for at least several years." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia poised to become first state to impose full ban on lead bullets

Pot And Pregnancy: It’s Harmless, So Why Are Moms Still Prosecuted?

"Weighing decades of research, it’s fairly safe to say that marijuana during pregnancy has very little to no effect on the developing fetus. Unfortunately, child welfare laws in many states do not agree. Some states equate smoking marijuana while pregnant — whether to alleviate nausea, vomiting, stress or depression — with felony child neglect or abuse. Given that marijuana is the most widely used drug by women of child-bearing age, and the potential for women to use marijuana without knowing they’re pregnant, this is a women’s rights issue. Why should a woman surrender autonomy over her body, her children and her approach to motherhood to civil authorities, whether she uses cannabis or not?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPot And Pregnancy: It’s Harmless, So Why Are Moms Still Prosecuted?