Blaming the victim?
In the wake of highly publicized protests at the end of last year, a new troubling and strange twist has emerged. Some members of the Chicago Police Department who are involved in shootings are using the legal system as a weapon in their “blame the victim” strategy.
Officer George Hernandez fatally shot 25-year-old Ronald Johnson III on October 12, 2014. He said Mr. Johnson turned and pointed a gun at him, and he fired in self-defense. It was clear from dash cam video that Mr. Johnson was fleeing, but not so clear that he pointed a gun at Hernandez, nor whether he even had one.
Dorothy Holmes, Ronald Johnson’s outspoken mother repeatedly called for justice for her son, and has stated that Black mothers love their children as much as killer cops love theirs. Attorneys for the officer took her public words at rallies as threats to Ofc. Hernandez and his family and late last year filed a request for Ms. Holmes to be punished and sanctioned as a result of her comments. Corporation Counsel Steve Patton intervened and the legal motion was withdrawn. However, Mr. Johnson’s family is still pursuing a wrongful death suit against the city and vows not to be intimidated.
Then on February 5, Chicago police Officer Robert Rialmo who fatally shot 19-year-old Northern Illinois University engineering student Quintonio LeGrier who was home for winter break, and Bettie Jones, a 55-year-old mother of five and a grandmother who was well loved within the community is now filing a lawsuit against the Mr. LeGrier’s estate.
According to the legal filing, Ofc. Rialmo argues Mr. LeGrier’s own actions caused the shooting and as a result, the officer now suffers from “extreme emotional trauma.” He is seeking $10 million.
Ernest Coverson, Midwest Regional Field Organizer for Amnesty International USA called it “insensitive” and saying instead of working to solve what is clearly a crisis situation resulting in an intense Federal investigation, their focus appears to be on seeking ways to evade justice,
“I think it is insensitive and I think it is retaliation and in response to the current state of Black America in regards to the police force,” said Mr. Coverson.
He says it is unheard of that a police officer would file a lawsuit in such a way, but he believes more scrutiny of police departments nationwide continues.
“I think that we are going to see more of this and even more side moves as the scrutiny of police forces in regards to police departments and their use of lethal force continues,” he added.
Article Appeared @http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_102899.shtml