Why judge acquitted St. Louis cop of first-degree murder

http://nypost.com ^ | 09/16/20107 | AP

[heterosupremacist]

WICHITA, Kan. — A judge’s decision to acquit an officer of murder in the death of a black suspect came down to two major questions: Did the officer plant a gun, and did his outburst about killing the man seconds before the shooting signal premeditation?

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson determined Friday that prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jason Stockley’s use of deadly force was not justifiable self-defense. Anthony Lamar Smith was killed in the 2011 encounter.

“Ultimately when people argue about this case, they are going to be arguing whether the judge drew the right conclusion from the evidence and probably less about the law,” said Ben Trachtenberg, an associate professor of law at the University of Missouri.

Here’s a look at how the judge parsed those arguments in his ruling:

[heterosupremacist]

Former St. Louis Police Officer Jason Stockley

[Gay State Conservative]

I read the pdf file of the judge's decision.It seems that self defense was much more likely than “murder”.Sounds like the cop was smart to opt for a “bench trial”...it seems likely that he would faced an OJ jury.

[coloradan]

If a citizen had done the same thing, would he have been acquitted? Very doubtful. Cops seem to live by a different set of laws than the rest of us do.

[willk]

Looks like the Judge did a good job weighing the evidence he had to work with. Not a good idea to run from the police.

[Mercat]

Why was the date line “Wichita”? Wichita is a 7 hour drive from St. Louis.

[gunnut]

“Finally, the Court observes, based on its nearly thirty years on the bench, that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly,” the judge wrote.

[MileHi]

If a citizen had done the same thing, would he have been acquitted? Very doubtful.

I think the decision was probably right. And yet, so is your comment. Citizens should be afforded the same benefit of the doubt when confronting criminals.

[Nifster]

When the facts are on your side...

Jury trials are always dicey

[cableguymn]

My guess is his lawyer suggested it.

Either way. VERY smart. a judge is more likely to disconnect from “feelings” than your average off the street jury member.

[BenLurkin]

“....so the hell with the evidence nonsense. I knew going in I’d let this cop go.”

[I want the USA back]

His life is ruined. I hope he can work as a cop again.

He almost was a sacrificial lamb - the hated “White” who is blamed for all the evils of the world.

The street savages will use this as an excuse to loot, burn, and shoot cops.

[BenLurkin]

Which is precisely why we have a jury system.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Desire God back first

[Spok]

The left wants a double standard in criminal courts too; one for gang bangers and one for white cops. That’s what’s happened to the rule of law in this country.

[HiTech RedNeck]

We don’t have perfection, but a country that can still argue about such matters has hope. It’s when the arguments stop and the stones and bullets fly that we have lost reason.

[heterosupremacist]

I want the USA back wrote ~~~ >>>The street savages will use this as an excuse to loot, burn, and shoot cops.<<< You know it!

[MCF]

Of course they live under a different set of rules, just as soldiers do. The police officers job puts them into positions were the use of deadly force is sometimes necessary in order to seize suspected violators of the law. In this case the suspect clearly showed no willingness to surrender peacefully.

[dsc]

“The street savages will use this as an excuse to loot, burn, and shoot cops.”

Which the governor should take as an opportunity to rid St. Louis of its street savages.

[Kazan]

If a citizen had done the same thing, would he have been acquitted? Very doubtful

So, you feel sorry for a drug dealing scumbag, that rammed his car onto a police car and lead police on a high speed chase, endangering innocent lives in the process?

I would have given a damn if the officer had shot him in the back of the head as soon as fled the scene.

Drug dealers' lives don't matter.