Cop makes $1 million bail....

[HandyHamlet]

1) If the phrase "butt-hurt" bothers you, think about why. I'll do the same and consider if it might have been inappropriate.

As an admittedly crass individual, and with respect, I have no problem with the term itself. I just think it's funny you use it as a weapon against those who do not agree with you in this particular thread. That's all. You get to second guess the Judge butt we don't get to second guess your opinion...

2) Do you still not understand the purpose of bail? Show me how much of a flight risk this guy is. Or why there is good reason to believe he will not otherwise show up for trial. Or explain how you believe he will commit other similar crimes as the one he is charged with.

Crystal clear. For instance you know that his profession, past, the crime he committed, the way he committed the crime are also factors in his bail.

Yes, bail is set based on each individual's circumstances. Circumstances related to whether or not they will show up for trial or continue their criminal action.

His profession, past, the crime he committed, the way he committed the crime are also factors in his bail. The nature and seriousness of the crime committed...

If he's not likely to be a no-show, or to continue to commit the crime (not possible since he's charged with killing somebody) or commit another similar crime (not likely as he's been stripped of his LEO status so won't be beating someone for resisting arrest) then the imposition of $1 Million bail seems to be political posturing and theater. You explain to me why it is not.

stay safe.

There is more to it than what you keep posting. It is that simple.

And most likely there is political posturing and theater involved. Those who have been following this murder know that the police or local government refused to take ANY action for WEEKS after Kelly Thomas was taken off life support. Fullerton was forced to start an investigation only after multiple protests and protesters that would not go away. After the photo of the beaten by police victim's face went viral. After the posting of the two (so far) videos to youtube of the murder, local bloggers conducting their own investigation of witnesses and posting the interviews to Youtube, the interviews of an inside source on a local radio show that proved to be 100% credible, and the continued efforts of the victim's retired cop father... So are there a few politicians scrambling now? Absolutely. Especially since recall papers were filed on three of them, including the Mayor.

informant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDGGV7kjH-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yo4iOWDZ9o&feature=related

independent interviews of witnesses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_hivslQiE8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKgpbC6WmFM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0hEgm5wbiw&feature=related

(interview of citizen who was forced to hand over film to cops at scene)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Jo-i8GSWg&feature=related


pissed off locals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrgGHw13rs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DunlF4pgD-U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5BQUuNQoPU&feature=related



recall announcement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Jp8zzbgQM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_k-hQ_2fFA




The smoking gun:

The quality of this video system is reportedly so good the blood spatters from Kelly Thomas can be seen flying around as he is beaten to death by Fullerton police.

"Here's a demonstration of the surveillance camera that captured the police beating of Kelly Thomas on July 5, 2011. The footage shows off the low-light and zoom capabilities of the Pelco Spectra IV cameras that are installed throughout downtown Fullerton."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG983TwwG3M&feature=related



Bloodthirsty villagers sharpening pitchforks??? Lynch mob?

I'm not absolutely certain that some amongst you would not lynch this cop if given the smallest opportunity. I am fairly convinced that a few among you would lynch him even if it meant risking some physical harm to you.

And that scares me.

Hardly.

More like pissed off and very informed citizens who are sick of their employees committing murder and trying to cover it up.

Kelly Thomas died of asphyxia, report says

By DENISSE SALAZAR / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – Mentally ill transient Kelly Thomas died of asphyxia caused during a beating at the hands of Fullerton police officers at the Transportation Center in July, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said Wednesday during a news conference at his office.

The coroner's death certificate lists the manner of death as homicide and the cause of death as asphyxia caused by "mechanical chest compression with blunt cranial-facial injuries sustained during physical altercation with law enforcement."

The district attorney said Thomas died because of the force of the officers on his chest, which made it impossible to breathe. Thomas fell unconscious, then slipped into a coma and died when taken off of life support five days later. The injuries to his face and his head, Rackauckas said, contributed to his death.

Also contributing to his death were brain injuries, facial and rib fractures, and the extensive bruising and abrasions he suffered during the beating, which left him lying in a "growing pool of blood," Rackauckas said.

The toxicology report shows that Thomas had no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/thom...l?nstrack=sid:2589472|met:102|cat:227|order:1

 

[okboomer]

Political, you bet. Then again why not released on his own recognizance? He is a LEO, above reproach, so to speak. The ‘bond’ can be easily posted if it secured with collateral, like a home or several vehicles. Or maybe confiscated drug money from the evidence locker....:uhoh:

Bail is not bond. A bond is somebody else's money, bail is typically understood to be 'your' money, cash money. The judge should have set a cash only bail, no bond. Let the LEO(s) start building up some time served like most folks do when it is one of the vast unwashed masses who face similar charges.

Lets keep our eye on the news and see how this all plays out.

Yes, bond (surety bond) is generally someone else's money (bail enforcement agent) who then receives CUSTODY of the defendant from the Sheriff, of which, even out on bond, the defendant is still considered to be in the custody of the Sheriff. I violated many of my bail (defendant) right back into the Sheriff's pokey for them getting another criminal charge, whether it was a misdemeanor or a felony. It varys from state to state, but as a Bail Agent, I had state law behind ANY restrictions I placed on my bail. Finding someone drinking in a bar was enough for me to revoke. Once bail is revoked, in this small town, none of the other bail agents would touch them until after their next court hearing (not the one to revoke.)

Or, you can post your own surety bond in the form of property if your equity in the property is enough to cover (OK: 1.5x the bail amount, not the bond amount) and there are no other attachments (such as a wife and kids at home as this state does not allow you to mortgage the "homestead" as surety bond.)

So, out on bail is not "free to go do whatever." Most bail agents also require regular contact with bail either in person or via phone call (probably this for the officer.) Also, the bail cannot leave the jurisdiction of the court they are out on bail from without permission/knowledge of the bail agent ... so some of my bail that worked on oil rigs in another county had to call me at the end of every shift to let me know they were back in the county.

I only had two actually jump bail on me ... one I had picked up in another state, one I went and picked up myself after getting the Sheriff to go "stir things up" for me LOL It was great when, 3 months later, a young deputy used the same tactics to grab him on a Federal Bench Warrant.

That is not to say I didn't have my share of deadbeats who simply would not show up for court and think I wouldn't come get them! They were DRUG ADDICTS and there are only a few areas where they can operate in this small town, and I know them all, and I know their routines. I mean, come on folks, if you want a 64oz pop at 2am, there is only 3 places in town, and only one with a driveup. All I had to do was tuck back in a dark spot on Tuesday or Thursday night (that's when the crack was done cooking and distributed) and wait for them to cruize thru, or cruize through the 2 hotels in town where they would rent rooms for dealing LOL

 

[since9]

Sometimes I think Skidmark is one of the few level-headed, informed persons here. Not only does he have a good acquaintance with the law, he is also FAIR-MINDED and is guided by the principles.

+1