From the Editor of the Roseberg Beacon, one of the few members of the press who actually understand what happened.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 AT 1:21PM
A REAL HORROR SHOW RELEASED
I watched in horror the video released today of the LaVoy Finicum murder. The horror came from the real-time video shot by Shawna Cox, which she filmed from the back seat of LaVoy’s pickup truck in transit and through both stops. Her video also had full audio, in which you can hear the full exchange between Finicum and law enforcement, and the live rounds being fired at them.
The video that I saw, about 14 minutes in length, was synced to the so-called “unedited” official aerial video that the FBI released within minutes of the ambush on Oregon Highway 395. The reason for the quotes around unedited is that if it were unedited, why don’t we see Ryan Payne get out at the first police stop. I have been asked not to call it a traffic stop by the families and those close to the case, and rightly so, because it was not a traffic stop, which continues to be the standard line from law enforcement and the mainstream press.
The press conference held today in Deschutes County was troubling on so many levels. First, it was conducted by the Deschutes County Sheriff, why? The killing didn’t take place in Deschutes County. Second, it was totally choreographed and rehearsed down to a refined script undoubtedly approved by the Justice Department, OSP and the FBI. A little side bar I have to mention, was the Malhuer County District Attorney Dan Norris, can be seen standing behind the Deschutes County Sheriff during his part of the presentation, with a goofy grin on his face. Maybe he was nervous, but it made me sick to watch.
The script that Norris read from included the statement from the State Medical Examiner confirming that Finicum “was dropped by three bullets in his torso, entering his back.” He was shot in the back by Oregon State Police.
They claim, in the official narrative, that the OSP officers acted appropriately because they were in fear of their own safety and that of their fellow officers. After Finicum lay dead in the knee high snow where he was “dropped” the report claims that upon examining the dead man, they found a 9MM pistol in his left pocket. Finicum was known to carry a revolver, holstered on his right hip, not a semi auto 9MM and not on his left side. It has been reported by all who were travelling that day with him that he was not armed on this trip.
This report is not trusted or believed by those who were there at the scene with Finicum, nor by his family; none of whom recall him owning any such weapon. There are also rumors circulating that the gun was stolen and that the serial numbers were ground off. Question, if the numbers were ground off, how could it be determined that it was stolen? Norris also said that “the troopers knew Mr. Finicum carried a weapon in his left side” and that “Mr. Finicum was reaching for that loaded 9MM when the troopers lawfully used deadly force...”
But in spite of all the fanfare delivering the total “justification” of killing Finicum, there emerged a new problem for the Feds. There are supposedly two shots unaccounted for from the FBI shooters. Even more problematic than their not being accounted for, is the original reports that none of them had fired, or had not reported any firing of their weapons.
Much of the information provided at the press conference today is very hard to swallow, to say the least, but one thing is not in dispute; LaVoy Finicum has never been accused of a crime in his entire life, yet he is dead. This is a rancher, a family man, and a former marine. He had no desire to die, just stand for what he believed to be right principles found in the Constitution and our laws.
This is a fight that has been going on for decades, a fight over the lawful use of grazing rights on public lands, rights that predate the BLM. This is a fight that is far from over.
And it is clear that an innocent man died on January 26th, when there was no need for that to happen, whether those responsible for his death have been found “justified” or not.
I highly recommend finding the newly released video on-line and watching it, though it is very disturbing, so be mindful of who is in the room. If you’re anything like me you too will be sickened. We must not let Finicum’s senseless killing go unchallenged, nor shall we ever forget the price he paid to sound the alarm for those who cherish liberty.
David Jaques, Editor
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