“IN fact, I doubt the cops had criminal intent here, they just made some bad choices. They probably did think they were in danger. Doesn’t excuse them, but it means they shouldn’t be put to death for their actions.”
First of all, Intent has nothing to do with it, just as it wouldn’t if you “made a mistake” and shot someone.
Second, I didn’t suggest anyone should be “put to death”.
“They probably did think they were in danger.”
Ayers put the car in reverse and fled, striking one officer and causing minor injuries.
Police fired at the fleeing vehicle.
If someone ran over your foot and was driving away, would you think you were in danger?
If you fired at the departing vehicle and killed the occupant, what would happen to you?
Generally speaking, when someone mentions a “secret society” to meet out justice in “cases like this”, they are refering to the Star Chamber, which killed people.
There is no other real way for a secret society to “meet out justice”.