Dallas: snipers were shooting at policemen – Polish Radio

The tragic incident took place in 2012. In Cleveland. 30-year-old Malissa Williams and 43-year-old Timothy Russell passed the police station when the car they were traveling at excessive speed, scored carburetor. The police took it for a shot with a firearm and a 35-kilometer section started a chase involving more than 60 police cars. Later, in the car steam, which in the past fell into conflict with the law, found a tube for smoking crack cocaine.

During the chase 13 officers gave a total of 137 shots. Policeman Michael Brelo as the only heard the charges because already when the vehicle came on his mask and 7 seconds 15 times fired at the windshield. He was charged, because, according to the prosecutor’s office when indulged shots, a couple in the car, who was not armed, was no longer the threat.

The controversy surrounding this issue led to an investigation, during which it was found that the police in Cleveland times He abused power and violated the civil rights of detainees.

Brelo was cleared of the charge of premeditated murder, since, according to judge John O’Donnell can not definitely say that this shots fired by him caused the death of Williams and Russell. A police officer threatened up to 22 years in prison. He was also cleared of the charge of assault.

The crisis of confidence in the police

After the judgment in Cleveland protests broke out; arrested at least three people, but otherwise the demonstrations proceeded rather peacefully. Before the court people chanted “Hands up, do not shoot,” and then went to a place where last November. Was fatally shot by police was a black 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who brandished a replica gun.

Group approx. 200 people organized a march in the likeness of the funeral procession; They carried a black coffin and mentioned the slain boy. Some carried signs that read “Will I be next?”.

This case, although it applies to the events of 2012., Is part of the crisis of confidence in the police in the US after a series of killings of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers. This should include about the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner on Staten Island in New York. Both of these events sparked nationwide protests.

PAP is