30-day penalty sought for cop: Denver chief makes recommendation in killing of invalid

Rocky Mountain News ^ | March 17, 2005 | Brian D. Crecente And Javier Erik Olvera

[Spok]

How the heck are we supposed to know which unarmed invalids are in season and which aren't?

[speedy]

I thought it was okay to kill invalids. Maybe they should give him a promotion.

[mewzilla]

Police Chief Gerry Whitman recommended that Ranjan Ford Jr. receive a 30-day suspension for shooting and killing an unarmed invalid last summer.

Where the Heck did you think you were, Chief? Florida?!

[mewzilla]

Chief=Ford

[billorites]

"Lobato, 63, was shot July 11 in a west Denver home as he lay in bed watching television, after Ford apparently mistook a soda can in the man's hand for a weapon.

Ford had climbed into the home through a second-floor window to search for Lobato's nephew in connection with a domestic violence call."

I am loath to beat up on cops, but...

This is an egregious example of abuse and an example of 'circling the wagons' by law enforcement.

[billorites]

"I thought it was okay to kill invalids."

No, can't kill.

Gotta "let him die."

[MizSterious]

Well, it is. But they have to do it slowly and painfully, by starving them to death.

[mewzilla]

Gotta "let him die."

But only after you critically injure them first....

[Smogger]

Lobato, 63, was shot July 11 in a west Denver home as he lay in bed watching television, after Ford apparently mistook a soda can in the man's hand for a weapon.

I understand drinking soda is bad for your health but...

[billorites]

Step away from the Sprite and put your hands on your head.

[Smogger]

This is an egregious example of abuse and an example of 'circling the wagons' by law enforcement.

Which is why some people, myself among them, have lost all respect for law enforcement.

[dfwgator]

"Lobato, 63, was shot July 11 in a west Denver home as he lay in bed watching television, after Ford apparently mistook a soda can in the man's hand for a weapon.

"He hates these cans."

[YOUGOTIT]

The judges would have the invalid die of THRIST so maybe it was better that the cop murdered him.

[Joe 6-pack]

This is an outrage...how much longer are we, the American citizenry going to tolerate this type of BS? It's clearly time to outlaw soda now!!

[billorites]

"Which is why some people, myself among them, have lost all respect for law enforcement."

Most people, and professions, when confronted or in crisis 'circle the wagons.'

Police, unlike schoolteachers or nurses, come heavily armed and primed for confrontation.

That's why we support the second amendment.

So that the police fear us.

[speedy]

Yeah. I could understand if it was Tab or something deadly, but Sprite can only cause minor injuries in most cases.

[YOUGOTIT]

This is true MURDER. And what happens - NOT A THING. I will rethink my support for the police. They are no above the law. And should be held accountable - Unless the judge ordered the bedridden person to die of THRIST.

[speedy]

If criminals ever get their hands on cases of Diet Fanta, it will be curtains for all of us.

[MeanWestTexan]

"I thought it was okay to kill invalids. Maybe they should give him a promotion."

Only in Florida.