Posted on 02/06/2015 9:55:33 PM PST by Rabin
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KTVU) -- Sonoma County is poised to establish an independent auditor for its sheriff's department over a year after a teenage (Mex)with a pellet rifle was slaughtered by a(Sanoma)deputy. A 21 member "task force" has been meeting to work through well justiied community rage. "We're going to get something built and then we're all going to work on making it better every single day," declared task force member Amber Twitchell.
"My fear is nothing is going to change, " Elaine B. Holtz.. >real American dreamers<<.
// snipp //
Jeff Westbrook, 57, a Santa Rosa program manager at an information technology company, pulled over by Gelhaus for not using his indicator. He pulled into a shoulder, offered to move the car forward noticing there was little safe space for Gelhaus. When the car started moving, Gelhau drew down on the motorist. 'It was about a foot from by face,' Jeff asked Gelhaus: 'Is there something wrong with you?' I felt like I was watching somebody I needed to help,'
Gelhaus, a pretty good cop for 20 + yeaes, shot, a child standing, falling and prone; seven times his partner never even unholsters(or testifies).
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is very proud of our employees who have made lasting and positive impacts on our community. In appreciation of their work and dedication, the Sheriff’s Office recognizes: (25 Years:) Erick Gelhaus.
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxchicago.com ...
R.
I am so lost...
Wow, that’s a terrible article on a big issue in Santa Rosa. Here’s a better article:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/3461849-181/lopez-task-force-unveils-civilian
BTW, IMHO this proposed oversight panel is a good start, but it has no teeth and will ultimately be worthless. It would not be able to subpoena or indict. If the proposed panel made a recommendation to the DA that an officer be charged, it’s likely (with our current cast of players) that it would be utterly ignored. DA Jill Ravitch actually campaigned for her “bestie” Sheriff Steve Freitas, and has made it abundantly clear she will do nothing to go against him in any way.
We need an independent oversight body with teeth. To get it, we’re going to have to get that proposal on a local ballot. That’s going to be a hard sell, even though we need it desperately.
The problem with indictment is that it can only be done by a vested authority of *citizens* whose purpose is to decide indictment. A grand jury.
Even the US Attorney General cannot indict someone. He can only ask a federal grand jury to indict.
The Fifth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution provides that “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on presentment of a Grand Jury...”
So what they really wanted was that this board could forward a criminal complaint, which is similar to an indictment, but issued by a judge.
A criminal complaint is issued by a prosecutor, followed by a “preliminary hearing” held by a lower court judge or other magistrate, who will determine whether or not the prosecutor has presented sufficient evidence that the accused has committed a felony. If the judge finds there is enough evidence, he/she will order the case sent to the appropriate court for trial.
Yup. The law here in this area has to change for all this to happen. That requires a ballot. Going to be uphill all the way, and maybe fall off the cliff at the end.
The Andy Lopez case was already given to our local grand jury, and they refused it on the grounds that they were not qualified to make a pronouncement.
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