ONLY FOR MICHAEL SMITH

Discussion Question #1  at least 70 words

Ok class, you did a great job with the week 2 discussion it is now time to follow up with case studies.  I want each of you to pick a case where police used deadly force, research the case and present the facts to the class.  You may also add your own thoughts but I want you to be OBJECTIVE.  

Base your opinion as to whether or not the shooting was justified based on ALL the facts.  I am also  asking that as we progress through the week that you pick a case NOT yet studied by the class.  This will require you to read the other posts BEFORE you post your initial post.  Let's keep the studies from 2014 to the present only.

Andrea Barajas ( she is my classmate)  please reply with at least 50 words Demetrius zbryan Hollins April 12, 2017  Lawrenceville, GA Demetrius B. Hollins, 21 year old African American male was kicked and punched in his head and face by two officers at a traffic stop where he was also pulled out of his car violently. The officers were, Robert McDonald and Sgt. Micheal F. Bongiovanni.  The Gwinnett County Police Department dismissed 89 cases involving these officers. As of today these officers have been fired and are facing criminal charges. In my personal opinion i feel this was a very unnecessary act of violence. The simple fact they pulled him out of his car and started beating on him was not called for. They only had one job but they took it too far. They deserve the consequences they are receiving for the bad actions they committed.

  Ezell Ford ( reply to classmate) at least 50 words

Ezell Ford was a 25 year old black man from Florence, Los Angeles. On August 11, 2014, he was walking away from a large group in a area that often was described as a gang area. At the same time, Officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonia Villegas, who were assigned to part of an anti-gang unit, saw Ford walking and told him to stop and he ignored them. The officers then proceeded to pursue Ford but when they attempted to confront him, Ford knocked officer Wampler to the ground and tried to take his gun. Due to the violent actions, the officers felt threatened and fired. Ford was shot multiple times by both officers. The authorities found DNA evidence that Ford had tackled officer Wampler to the ground with. They found Ford's DNA on his gun holster and witnesses also heard the officers yell to "Let go of the gun!" While researching, I went back and forth on whether I thought their actions were justified. Ultimately I think that the officers were a little too quick to fire their weapons and that it could have been handled in a non-lethal way.