Re: Officer kills "bum" for "crime' of being in a business district?
HOBOMATT@aol.com
Fri, 28 May 1999 08:39:53 EDT
wgcp@earthlink.net writes:
<< IT'S OPEN SEASON ON THE WALKING WOUNDED >>
Four years ago, in Colorado Springs, within eight months, our police
department shot and killed two mentally ill men. One was homeless, one was
not. The first, Richard Deerfield, was cornered in the bathroom of the
downtown Catholic cathedral after causing a disruption. He drew a knife and
was shot and killed. It was ruled justifiable and, several months later, the
three officers involved were given Medals of Valor for executing this
homeless mentally illl man. The status quo loving Catholic Diosicese ruled
that resancitification of the Cathedral (traditional for a church to do if a
murder occurs in the premesis) was not necessary.
Then later in the year, another cop, called to a disturbance, shot and
killed a mentally ill man as he waved a wooden surveying stake about. This
too, was ruled justifiable. These killings, and the lack of police
accountability are the subject of "Fingers on the Trigger" a video that was
shown on PBS a few months ago.
Matt Parkhouse, RN Colorado Springs, CO