Those claiming authority over the arbitrary political boundary labeled Prince George’s County has agreed to pay about $3.6 million to 10 people who were either falsely arrested or injured by police during a post-game celebration at the University of Maryland. One of the officers, James Harrison, was convicted of second degree assault and found not guilty on misconduct although the on-tape beating shows that his conduct was clearly not appropriate; Harrison could face up to 10 years in prison. Another officer Reginald Baker was acquitted of the assault and will not be held responsible for his actions.
One of the lawyers for the plaintiffs said that $2 million of the settlement will go to John McKenna, who was badly beaten by police as students celebrated a Maryland basketball win over Duke in March 2010. The lawyer says he considers the settlements a fair and reasonable payment for his clients, though he says he was disappointed by the jury’s verdict in the criminal case.
Both officers are still classified as suspended with pay.
As it is rare that victims of police brutality are given any sort of restitution, it is good that those involved with this incident have gotten something positive from the negative experience, while it certainly does not justify the assaults happening in the first place. Think for a moment – where did that $3.6 million come from? Was the suit paid out by the individual(s) who caused harm to the victims in question? Did the the officers who assaulted people work countless hours to earn the money needed to attempt to make right with the victims – or did you, your friends, and your family work countless hours only to have a portion of your salary pay off the victims of James Harrison and Reginald Baker?
If the individual responsible for damaging property or harming another individual is not the one who has to make right with their victim, are they really being held responsible for their actions – or are you and me being held (financially) responsible?
Must be nice to have a badge that essentially allows you to treat people in any manner you choose, regardless of whether they have committed any wrong, as well as having an almost unlimited source of taxpayer funds in order to pay for the more serious violations you inflict on an innocent individual; not to mention the paid vacation
that you qualify for while being found innocent of any wrongdoing after
assaulting or otherwise violating the rights of the aforementioned individuals. But, there will be repercussions, I’m sure. Or not. This, then, is the higher standard. As Shelley’s Ozymandias once said: “Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair”.
This will not change PG county 1 bit….
2minutes is on spot.
Btw, where is the money coming from anyways? O.O China.
>>> http://www.usdebtclock.org <<<
How could all of the cops beating that guy not be convicted? Just shows what a freaking joke our justice system is. It’s like – Who you going to believe? Me, or your lying eyes?
Certain, look up LT. Jon Burge. NONE of his crew were ever charged, much less tried, for the evil they did.
It is time for the wheel to turn, people. We need to sweep this filth from our society.
One way we could curtail a lot of this crap is to make certain that cops have some skin in the game. If they commit a crime, their sentence should be double whatever a regular Joe would get. To insure that they get their day in criminal court, there should be a venue where they can be privately prosecuted.
These officers wanted to try out their academy training the night this happened. They should all be in jail for assault and battery and lying about it after the fact.
And after hearing/seeing incidents like this, some of you here (Common Sense, etc.), wonder why I’m Anti Cop.
Anti Cop