Family sues SWAT team after raid on their home (Oops... wrong house)

The Daily Herald ^ | July 28, 2005 | Michael Rigert

[Calpernia]

Ah! Hi Mike!

What does that mean?

>>>"as an ancillary issue."<<<

[MikefromOhio]

something like it was unrelated but became connected (I believe).

the guy is trying to Cover his behind, and I doubt that is going to work...

[Indy Pendance]

"the Chidester family, including Lawrence, his wife Emily and their adult son Larry"

The son, Larry, was outside, the dad, Lawrence, was inside.

[JimHorn]

The SWAT team should consider themselves lucky that the homeowners were not armed. Since the warrant was for a different address, an argument can be made that the SWAT team were not acting on legal authority, and that the homeowners had a legitimate self-defense.

[flashbunny]

That's in the super secret advanced training.

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

yeah that happens ALL the time I am sure!!!!

[ncountylee]

since he had not yet reviewed it.

"We dispute the accuracy of their version of the events,"

How can one deny some thing that they have not seen? Oh...government, facts need not apply.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If you have a warrant for a house other than the one you raid, you don't really have a warrant, do you?

In which case, the officers involved were no different than ordinary criminal home invaders.

[Calpernia]

One might have been a Jr. The article said he had an adult son that resided at the residence.

[AlexW]

"There are too many instances of this happening across the country."

Yes, and in many small rural towns and cities, what use to be the friendly town policeman has become the new jackbooted thug.

It has definitely happened in my previous home area of west Tennessee.

[Calpernia]

You are kidding me?!

Then I think robowombat is right, that is stalinist!

[MikefromOhio]

I honestly think it was a mistake that was carried WAYYY too far.

This does seem more incompetent than intentional, but more power to the family....I hope that SWAT team doesn't have a budget for the next 20 years or so....

[Stu Cohen]

The SWAT team should consider themselves lucky that the homeowners were not armed.

Nah, since the Supreme Court upheld local gun bans as being legal, these are the folks they have to thank. A lot less barriers to totalitarianism these days. Why worry?

Does anyone have a copy of the consitution? I'm out of toilet paper.

[cowboyway]

Ah, land of the free. This is what the boys overseas are fighting for. Out precious liberty

Don't be such a putz. Cops are making raids all over the country every day, and you know what, THEY MAKE A MISTAKE ONCE IN A WHILE!. Geez.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Our militarized "law enforcement" agencies are the standing army our founders feared.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

The next day, the Chidester family, including Lawrence, his wife Emily and their adult son Larry, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Utah County and six SWAT team members.

Okay, this has WEIRDNESS all over it..

THE NEXT DAY???

I could ONLY HOPE to aspire to having a client(s) walk (run?) into my office and I'm able to FILE a suit against MULTIPLE PARTIES by 4:00 o'clock the following day..

I am also sure that LAWRENCE didn't just peek over the dandalions to watch, but probably SAID something as well.

ADULT SON LARRY? Not sure exactly but why was he getting dressed? (as opposed to sleeping or going outside with Dad? I think he probably UTTERED some words as well..

[Calpernia]

bump

[Cyber Liberty]

I'd file the next day if it were me. 9:00 AM, while I'm still pissed.

[cowboyway]

Yes, and in many small rural towns and cities, what use to be the friendly town policeman has become the new jackbooted thug

It ain't 1955 and this ain't Mayberry, Goober.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

SWAT teams used to be few and far between. Now every little podunk town can't live without one. And since they blow so much money on training and special equipment, they get criticized for not using it. Therefore, the SWAT team gets called out to apprehend people who have too many speeding tickets, a kid with an 1/8th of grass, and other "dangerous" people. They're out of control and they don't get in trouble for screwing up a clearly marked address and beating people up.