CRIME, NOT RACE

New York Post ^ | January 29, 2004 | Heather MacDonald

[Map Kernow]

THE fatal shooting of Timothy Stansbury Jr., by an NYPD officer is a calamity for Stansbury's family and a stain on the police department. Officer Richard Neri shot the unarmed 19-year-old while patrolling the roof of a Bedford-Stuyvesant housing project late last Saturday night. Neri and his partner went to open a door when it unexpectedly flew open, sending Neri's partner reeling backwards. Startled, Neri shot Stansbury, who was standing on the other side.

[Map Kernow]

I salute America's cops: serving, protecting, and risking their lives for their fellow citizens every day of the week, every month of the year, regardless of race, sex, color, creed, or national origin.

[Redbob]

I salute the responsible well-trained ones; you'd have a real hard time making the point that Officer Neri was either.

It's rather fundamental that you learn to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys, the threatening from the harmless, before you wander around with a loaded gun in your hand.

[trebb]

I have some cop friends and openly tell them that I could not do their job. I would be likely to shoot too many "innocent" citizens in order to assure my own life. My hats are off to the vast majority of them who are courageously professional day in and out, despite the constant threat of John Q. Public.

[Map Kernow]

Simple query: Are you now, or have you ever been, a peace officer, policeman, cop, whatever you want to call it?

Just asking---not challenging, not insinuating.

[JustPlainJoe]

I can hardly wait for the new rule that white police officers CANNOT confront black suspects. They will be ordered to call in for a black officer to take over...

[Age of Reason]

I believe it was illegal for that kid to be on the roof.

Ergo, bad guy.

[Smogger]

I dunno if race played a factor or not, but if YOU shot an unarmed guy for bursting through a door, you'd be telling your side of the story from the inside of a jail cell.

[Map Kernow]

I dunno if race played a factor or not, but if YOU shot an unarmed guy for bursting through a door, you'd be telling your side of the story from the inside of a jail cell.

Yeah, especially when the door is on the roof of a project in Bed-Stuy. Ever been to Bedford-Stuyversant? Tell us about it.

Some people don't deserve police protection, and I'm not talking about people in the so-called "inner cities."

[Map Kernow]

One thing about threads headed by articles that dare to defend cops: they bring out all the cop-hating "grassroots conservatives" like a fumigation brings out cockroaches.

[Modernman]

Neri and his partner went to open a door when it unexpectedly flew open, sending Neri's partner reeling backwards. Startled, Neri shot Stansbury, who was standing on the other side.

Seems like the cops were pretty quick on the trigger here. Were their actions criminal? I don't know. I would probably stick this guy in a desk job since he seems too jumpy to be on the street.

[Map Kernow]

Seems like the cops were pretty quick on the trigger here. Were their actions criminal? I don't know. I would probably stick this guy in a desk job since he seems too jumpy to be on the street.

Let me ask you what I asked Redbob: ever been a cop? Ever read a department regulation on firearms use by an officer? You say you don't know if the officer's action was "criminal"---do you even know if it was justified?

[Smogger]

One thing about threads headed by articles that dare to defend cops: they bring out all the cop-hating "grassroots conservatives" like a fumigation brings out cockroaches.

Cry me a river. Cops should be treated like everyone else. If they don't like it find a new occupation. None of that "our job is so friggin hard so we get a pass" crap.

[Modernman]

Let me ask you what I asked Redbob: ever been a cop?

Nope. But I'm a lawyer with a good knowledge of the law.

You say you don't know if the officer's action was "criminal"---do you even know if it was justified?

I would say it was borderline. Opening fire on someone for opening a door is pretty trigger-happy of this cop. Was I there? No. However, if I was this guy's boss, I'd make sure he wasn't on the streets anymore. He seems to be too jumpy to make a good cop.

[Map Kernow]

Cry me a river. Cops should be treated like everyone else. If they don't like it find a new occupation. None of that "our job is so friggin hard so we get a pass" crap.

Oh, OK, cop-hater: tell me what statute Neri should be charged under. Tell me what department reg to bust him with. Go ahead--I now appoint you Brooklyn Deputy DA and NYPD Internal Affairs investigator.

Prepare your case, or shut up.

[Map Kernow]

I'm a lawyer, too. Guess what? In my jurisdiction, we either come up with a statute or a reg before we end a guy's career. We don't go by "impressions." Give me a statute or reg, please. Otherwise, make sure you avoid Bedford-Stuyversant, in or out of uniform.

[Modernman]

tell me what statute Neri should be charged under

A homicide crime could be appropriate. If he had been a regular citizen in this situation, he might be looking at 2nd degree murder.

[Modernman]

In my jurisdiction, we either come up with a statute or a reg before we end a guy's career. We don't go by "impressions."

I'm not familiar with police regs, but I am familiar with homicide laws. If he was a regular citizen, he'd probably be facing a 2nd degree murder charge here.

[Map Kernow]

A homicide crime could be appropriate. If he had been a regular citizen in this situation, he might be looking at 2nd degree murder.

Shot in the dark, guy. "If he had been a citizen"---but you see he's not, and like it or not, the officer's use of his firearm (would you rather peace officers weren't armed? I'd like to see you get anyone to serve under those circumstances) is subject to department regulation as well as statute. If the officer was under a reasonable apprehension of imminent peril to himself or his partner, the shooting, though resulting in a homicide, could be justified. Ever hear of the 1999 Amadou Diallo case? Know what happened there?

BTW, where's your practice and what's the focus? Just asking.

[CaptRon]

the up-tight anomie of the suburbs

I've lived all of my life in the suburbs. I don't think I have this, but ya never know.

[Smogger]

Prepare your case, or shut up.

First of all clown, you don't decide who gets to post so cool it with the ultimatums. Secondly, I am not saying he should be charged with anything. They should review the circumstances, but in the event the circumstances would warrant joe blo being charged with a crime he should likewise be charged.

In the non-union "real" world if you f*ck up you can be terminated whether you were grossly negligent, made an honest mistake or not. No one cares. It should be the same in the "cop" world too.