Federal Investigation of 92-Year-Old’s Death Concludes with Guilty Plea
The last of three Atlanta police officers pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the shooting death of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston nearly two years ago, thus concluding the federal investigation of that tragic incident.
It appears likely the investigation report will fault shortcuts taken by Atlanta narcotics officers to secure illegal search warrants, which, if you’ll read our summary of the incident, you’ll see is a grotesque understatement in Ms. Johnston’s case. These officers arbitrarily targeted the woman’s home as a crack house, lied to secure a no-knock warrant, shot her five or six times, and then attempted to plant a small amount of marijuana in order to justify their rampage.
Vile abuses of authority are a terrible, inevitable part of human nature. Accountability and harsh justice for the men involved in Ms. Johnston’s death are necessary and appropriate. But until we look at the policies that embolden such men, expect more abuse.
After all, these drug enforcement professionals believed they might get away with the senseless slaying of a 92-year-old woman if she were found possessing marijuana. What does that say about the attitudes that underlie our marijuana policies?
Tagged with: drug war and law enforcement and raids and victims by the author
10 comments
What does this say about police that they just happened to bring Marijuana with them to a drug raid?
Unfathomable, its time to end this madness.
Where did the police get the pot? And – if they had pot – if we follow the logic – shouldn’t they have shot each other?
Lots-o-bucks for Drug War for Pistol Packing Gestapistas this days, I’d say.
I’ve heard “cops have the good stuff”.
Look at all the so-called “wars” we have declared in this country and look at all the results. In the ’60’s it was the War on Poverty, we wiped out poverty with that one didn’t we? Then the War on Crime, shoot we are crime free, aren’t we? Then the War on Drugs that one’s not over and it has been running for thirty-eight (38) years. Now, the War on Terra, seven (7) years and no end in sight. I’m hoping the government will declare a war on me, I imagine that I would profit handsomely and live forever.
Hang the thugs.
Out-of-control Police, yet another infringement on our rights by the gov’t. Add it to the ever-growing list of violations:
They violate the 1st Amendment by opening mail, caging demonstrators and banning books like “America Deceived” from Amazon, Wikipedia and Facebook.
They violate the 2nd Amendment by confiscating guns during Katrina.
They violate the 4th Amendment by conducting warrant-less wiretaps.
They violate the 5th and 6th Amendment by suspending habeas corpus.
They violate the 8th Amendment by torturing at Gitmo.
They violate the entire Constitution by starting illegal wars without declaration.
Impeach them all (both parties) and save this great country.
Last link (unless Google Books caves to the gov’t and drops the title):
http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000083883
bob the grape,
you left out of the list War on Cancer, wich also aimed the opposite of the stated goal
I think the old lady was a dealing drugs. Or at least she was a pot smoker and she had a gun. Man when will the cops crack down on these old people spray paints gang signs on out street corners marking their turf. Hooking our kids on drugs and drive by shooting other old people. The nursing home that I live near has been shot up so many times that they have had to put in bullet proof windows and metal walls. And you know when you see a bunch of old people in a car out in the middle of the night driving past the same stop several times with their left blinker on. You know there is trouble about to happen.
The police have long since outlived their use. They don’t serve and protect anymore, they bully and intimidate. I think we should elect our police like we do our leaders…vote them in or out.
lol @ mike
you just made my day with that
Leave a Comment