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    EmanzeCord Jefferson
    1/13/14 8:26pm

    I've been on a jury. Maybe you've been on a jury. I'm normal. You look normal.

    So WTF happens to people on juries where they are completely incapable of finding the police anything but NOT GUILTY under all circumstances? It's disgraceful, disgusting, disturbing...what am I missing...

    Oh, yes. This. I'm just sorry, Kelly Thomas, the justice system not only let you down but it murdered you.

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      UngratefulDeadEmanze
      1/13/14 9:08pm

      What happens is that they are forced to use a different standard than they would with a private citizen. Think of it like Florida's Stand Your Ground nonsense, except the police are not only not obligated to retreat they are obligated not to retreat. In order to convict it has to be proved not that the force was excessive, not that they were in immediate lethal danger, but that it is beyond a reasonable doubt that that the police could have had any fear for their safety. It is almost impossible to do that from a legal perspective.

      The anger here is the right reaction, but it should be directed as these murderous cops, not the twelve citizens put involuntarily in a position of interpreting a legal standard that is extremely, intentionally weighted in the favor of the police. I very much doubt those jurors felt the police didn't do anything wrong.

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      ToppinsUngratefulDead
      1/13/14 10:44pm

      Umm...no. The fucking jurors are the fucking problem. If cops can beat someone to death, lets say your son. Just outright beat that kid to death, while you get it on video. THEN when the cops face a jury, the cops aren't convicted because jurors are giving cops a pass, then the jurors are the problem. The way people view cops is a problem because the way those cops are portrayed and their actions are 180 out of sync.

      Welcome to what people in inner cities have known for over 100 years, cops can and will murder and get away with it.

      Here is something to consider: soldiers do disgusting things at times, just crimes against humanity that are beyond the pale and even beyond the horrors of war. Those soldiers, when their actions come to light, are damned. They are damned by the public, and ESPECIALLY by other soldiers and the Army. Why, because they're held to a higher standard. Cops, they rally around one another.

      These cops should have used restraint. They are trained for that restraint. What you saw were bullies murdering a disabled person and they fucking should have known better. They sure as shit should have been convicted. Fuck them and fuck any juror that would support that murder.

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    filmgirlCord Jefferson
    1/13/14 7:37pm

    The people of Fullerton who were on this jury should be ashamed of themselves. I hope that none of them ever have an encounter with the Fullerton Police Department.

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      Obliteratifilmgirl
      1/13/14 7:44pm

      I hope they have an encounter with the Fullerton Police Department every damn day for the rest of their lives.

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      UngratefulDeadfilmgirl
      1/13/14 8:08pm

      I'm sure any juror who'd had any dealings with the local cops was excluded in voir dire. See also: why we still convict so many black people with all-white juries.

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    PostedByGhostsCord Jefferson
    1/13/14 7:33pm

    Why didn't they use stun guns?? I don't understand how this works. Stun guns don't work all the time. But did they even try?

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      ARP2PostedByGhosts
      1/13/14 10:32pm

      They were using them at the same time they were beating him and telling him to stop moving. That clicking sound? That's the taser going off.

      So, they're running a lot of electricity through him, beating him, and telling him to stay still. I haven't been in that situation, but I'm not sure how still I could be.

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      pennstarePostedByGhosts
      1/13/14 11:04pm

      Oh, stun guns were used -
      "Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli were charged with striking Kelly Thomas with a baton and a stun gun in a beating that left him comatose. He died five days later."

      And, check out this quote (which was recorded and played back in court) from Ramos to Thomas - "Rackauckas provided evidence that Thomas did comply with orders from Officer Ramos, who had put on latex gloves and asked Thomas 'Now see my fists? They are getting ready to fuck you up.'

      (all quotes are from the LA Times).

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    BillhillyCord Jefferson
    1/13/14 8:05pm

    I watched with horror and disgust until he started screaming "Dad" then I started crying in a crowded room and had to shut it off. I have a brother who struggles with mental illness...he loses his way sometimes and acts irrational, scary even.... He also sings in the purest falsetto, accompanying himself on his thrift store keyboard, he draws original comic books for his nephew and niece ( my kids) he's their favorite uncle because kids love unconditionally and don't understand phrases like, can't hold down a job or he's off his meds again. He hugs us with an almost desperate love whenever he sees us because deep down he knows that he's not like the rest of us, his future isn't something that he can necessarily choose and we don't know where he'll be or what he'll do from one week to the next. But he keeps trying and fighting to find that place they call "normal". He's my little brother, he's a human being, Fuck you Fullerton cops! How dare you!

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      Baba Yaga Bony LegsBillhilly
      1/13/14 8:34pm

      Your brother sounds wonderful. That was a gut-wrenching video to watch and your comments made me sob anew. I hope things will go well for you and yours.

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      LPSheaBillhilly
      1/13/14 9:45pm

      After watching that video and then the verdict that essentially says the mentally ill are sub-human, you're story is a reminder that just the opposite is true. Bless you for being there for your brother and thank you.

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    PeteRRCord Jefferson
    1/13/14 7:28pm

    Dad! Dad!

    There's your fucking justice for you.

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      vanillabean48Cord Jefferson
      1/13/14 7:42pm

      There is no such thing as justice.

      Initial reaction:

      GIF

      How I feel inside:

      GIF
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        phunkshunvanillabean48
        1/13/14 7:50pm

        Excuse my pop culture ignorance, but what is that second picture from?

        Also, I full agree on the sentiment.

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        Xylophunkshun
        1/13/14 8:02pm

        Dr Who. David Tennant. Sad. :(

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      Emily_8361Cord Jefferson
      1/13/14 7:38pm

      Yet another shining example of how we deal with mental illness in this country. It makes me ill that there will be no justice for this poor man.

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        toothpetardCord Jefferson
        1/13/14 9:02pm

        Curing schizophrenia, the American way.

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          AuntEggmaBlowtorchCord Jefferson
          1/14/14 6:28am

          So, textbook example of how cops should deal with a non-violent mentally ill suspect, then?

          Great—cue it up for the next training session.

          This country. I think it can't get worse, and then...

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            TRUMP DELENDUS EST (fka Chatham Harrison)Cord Jefferson
            1/13/14 8:06pm

            Juries are terrible at holding police accountable.

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