Legal Commentary

Videotape Shows Police Beating Suspects in Philadelphia

By TChris

Capturing brutal police misconduct on tape isn't always enough to convince a jury to convict the officers of a crime. It isn't surprising that juries often give cops a pass when they abuse arrestees, despite seemingly obvious visual evidence of their guilt. Sometimes the district attorney doesn't prosecute with vigor; sometimes the jury returns a verdict of "he had it coming." Juries bring democracy into the courtroom by reflecting the sense of the community, even when that sense is offensive to those who don't share the community's biases. That's how democracy works -- or doesn't, depending on your point of view.

In Philadelphia:

Fifteen Philadelphia police officers will be taken off the street as authorities investigate a video showing three suspects being kicked and beaten by city police.

Philadelphia officers have been "on edge" since one of their own was killed two days ago, according to Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. A bit of the video is shown in this newscast. More information here.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on May 08, 2008 (boomark / email).