Botham Shem Jean

[Cow Poke]

As badly as I feel for the family of the victim, I also feel sympathy for the shooter. It clearly wasn't premeditated murder, it was a stupid split second decision motivated by fear and confusion. If she were an open carrying civilian, she'd probably get Manslaughter. Ruined her own life, and as an officer she's unlikely to fair well in prison regardless of how long her sentence is. What a shame for everyone involved. I'm glad it wasn't up to me to decide her fate.

That, sir, is a BIG 10-4.

[Leonhard]

As badly as I feel for the family of the victim, I also feel sympathy for the shooter. It clearly wasn't premeditated murder, it was a stupid split second decision motivated by fear and confusion. If she were an open carrying civilian, she'd probably get Manslaughter. Ruined her own life, and as an officer she's unlikely to fair well in prison regardless of how long her sentence is. What a shame for everyone involved. I'm glad it wasn't up to me to decide her fate.

I agree with this, however strongly I've worded things. I don't think we can look past that she was criminally negligent and simply make it out as 'understandable' accident, and that's what I was worried would happen. I don't think it was premeditated murder, but she killed an innocent man, without just cause. The law, which she was meant to uphold, should be on Botham Shem's side in this.

With this verdict, some balance this injustice has caused will be restored. It can't bring back Botham Shem, and now she's a convicted murderer. As angry as I've been at her, I'm also sad for her and the life she's ruined over - as you put it Adrift - 'a stupid split-second decision motivated by fear and confusion'.

[Adrift]

I agree with this, however strongly I've worded things. I don't think we can look past that she was criminally negligent and simply make it out as 'understandable' accident, and that's what I was worried would happen. I don't think it was premeditated murder, but she killed an innocent man, without just cause. The law, which she was meant to uphold, should be on Botham Shem's side in this.

With this verdict, some balance this injustice has caused will be restored. It can't bring back Botham Shem, and now she's a convicted murderer. As angry as I've been at her, I'm also sad for her and the life she's ruined over - as you put it Adrift - 'a stupid split-second decision motivated by fear and confusion'.

I believe in justice, but I also believe in mercy especially for those who've done something awful on accident. And I believe it was an accident. Whether one thinks it understandable or not is up to the individual I suppose.

[Cow Poke]

- 'a stupid split-second decision motivated by fear and confusion'.

I believe, in the coming days, you may find out it was a little more than that. Sure, I still feel really bad for her, but...

[Teallaura]

Get out of jail free cards for cops? No thanks.

If Botham Shem getting the verdict makes a person question whether they wanna be a cop, I don't want them as a cop.

So you prefer no cops at all?

And now murder is the only just verdict?

[rogue06]

That would include folks like you. When you are relentlessly critical you (collectively) run off the very qualified candidates you purport to want.

This verdict will only amplify the problem for Dallas. No one sane will want to work for them - so that leaves the desperate and nuts.

It worked in the Police Academy movies

[Teallaura]

Again, I have to wonder about her training. There were so many aspects of her conduct that scream "improper training".

Agreed - and insane overtime (assuming a pattern which seems likely) exacerbates poor training. The department, according to your earlier post, took no responsibility and may have thrown her under the bus.

Which isn't an employer I'd want as a clerk, let alone a cop.

Improperly trained, overworked, and convicted of murder instead of manslaughter? Yeah, not one for the recruitment posters...

[Teallaura]

It worked in the Police Academy movies

Then again, I don't see what else Dallas is likely to get now...

[Cow Poke]

Then again, I don't see what else Dallas is likely to get now...

I know that, in some quarters, there is talk of the Texas Rangers* taking over an administrative role with the Dallas Police Chief to totally revamp training, recruitment, etc...



*the law enforcement agency, not the baseball team

[Teallaura]

I know that, in some quarters, there is talk of the Texas Rangers* taking over an administrative role with the Dallas Police Chief to totally revamp training, recruitment, etc...



*the law enforcement agency, not the baseball team

The baseball team might be an improvement over what they have now...

[firstfloor]

That would include folks like you. When you are relentlessly critical you (collectively) run off the very qualified candidates you purport to want.

This verdict will only amplify the problem for Dallas. No one sane will want to work for them - so that leaves the desperate and nuts.

[rogue06]

I know that, in some quarters, there is talk of the Texas Rangers* taking over an administrative role with the Dallas Police Chief to totally revamp training, recruitment, etc...



*the law enforcement agency, not the baseball team

Chuck Norris is coming outta retirement?

[Teallaura]

With what? Who would trust the city to work for them?

[Cow Poke]

The baseball team might be an improvement over what they have now...

Unfortunately, I think this is going to turn into a racial thing where "We WON... now ANY white officer who shoots an unarmed black or brown man gets MURDER!"

When a Deputy Sheriff friend of mine was tried for striking an inmate who had been taunting him, he was convicted (he did, indeed, strike an inmate) but given the maximum possible sentence because, as the Judge stated "we need to send a clear message that we don't allow this kind of thing in this County".

Justice is NOT about "sending a message".

(This was while all the Ferguson thing was going on, and Quanell X was attending the trial every day and threatening to stir things up)

[Terraceth]

I'm not all that surprised by the guilty verdict, but I am very surprised by them choosing murder rather than manslaughter.