Man killed by Sunrise police in drug raid had 2 ounces of marijuana

http://www.newsday.com/ ^ | August 10, 2005 | Brian Haas & Kevin Smith

[freepatriot32]

SUNRISE -- Police seized 2 ounces of marijuana at the home of Anthony Diotaiuto after shooting him 10 times, according to information on the drug raid released Tuesday.

Also Tuesday, while many friends and relatives of the 23-year-old bartender and student mourned him at a Davie funeral home, others appeared at a Sunrise City Commission meeting to demand an explanation for the fatal raid

"Do 2 ounces of marijuana constitute a death warrant?" asked Sunrise resident William de Larm, a friend of Diotaiuto's.

[verity]

This really pisses you off, doesn't it?

[Nov3]

You obviously believe everything the cops say. That is sad. As a group most are decent people. Many however aren't, they will lie, perjure, and manufacture evidence.

About three years ago a close friend of mine stopped in Jackson, MS unable to make it to Memphis without falling asleep on the road. He picked the wrong motel. The "police" (criminals with badges) were conducting a sting operation. He checked in, went out got himself a barbecue and six pack and was walking back to his room. A large black male stepped out and asked him if he wanted a rock. He said no. He was very intimidated and feared being robbed. The large black male then said it was a big ten dollar rock and my friend replied that he didn't want it and only had five dollars anyway. The BM then yelled,"That's enough" and 3 other cops piled out of a motel room and tackled him. They ruffed him up a little and he continued to claim his innocence. They threatened to gag him. He was forced to kneel facing a wall in the "pigs" motel room with some real crack heads while the PIGS laughed and thanked him for the beer and barbecue.

He got a good lawyer and wanted to go to trial. His lawyer told him he would be STUPID to go to trial with 3 of "Jackson's Finest" willing to swear against him. He had to accept a plea bargain with the caveat it would be expunged from his record after 2 years.

Needless to say he is now a little jaundiced in his view of cops and told one of my friends, who is a cop, that he couldn't come in his house socially. That would have never happened 4 years ago.

This man is NOT a crackhead. He never even got high during the 70's. It is total BS.

Now obviously the guy in the above article couldn't face the suspended sentence he would receive for the massive 2 ounce pot bust and chose to shoot it out with the cops. That last statement was of course was sarcasm. Something happened but one thing is for sure no one in their right mind can take the Cop's word for it. These SWAT teams are above the law plain and simple.

[7thOF7th]

If this account is accurate, "which I have doubts about", he was innocent and never should have acquiesced to plead to a crime he did not commit. A "Good" attorney would never call his clients desire to profess his innocence "Stupid", and your friend may have some recourse to sue that attorney. I don't know the real facts of that case but I will say this, truth always percolates to the surface and it would have in this case if your friend had been steadfast in his profession of innocence.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

We (ie, mainly the conservatives) asked for law and order, and this is part of what we got. I have the greatest trepidation about this kind of activity, because it is certainly far, far out of bounds for the enforcement even of laws that I would agree with. Certainly I feel no threat at all from a fellow with two ounces of weed in his own home.

On the other hand, this is exactly the kind of action I want if/when it comes to busting terrorist cells here in the USA. But just think of the outcry from the Muslim community if a guy named Jamal had two ounces of explosives in his possession and went to fetch a gun, with the same results... we would be seeing OpEds in the NYT condemning the 'Nazi' tactics.

[Nov3]

If this account is accurate, "which I have doubts about", he was innocent and never should have acquiesced to plead to a crime he did not commit.

As his attorney said it was his word against the police. In this situation things could go very badly and he could end up in jail and with a felony permanantly on his record and never own a gun, hunt or fish. When they went to trial the attorney said he would garantee nothing and if the cops kept to their statements he would probably lose. He could garantee that he could put it all behind him in 2 years if he took the deal. It was sound advice for a bad situation.

I don't know the real facts of that case but I will say this, truth always percolates to the surface and it would have in this case if your friend had been steadfast in his profession of innocence.

Yeah I have read quite a few articles about that happening - after 20 years and DNA evidence!

Keep believing the police hook line and sinker. These SWAT guys and military wannabees are destroying the moral authority of the real police who patrol the streets.

[PianoMan]

Hey, add me to the libertarian ping list! Can't believe I've never seen it before.

[7thOF7th]

"These SWAT guys and military wannabees are destroying the moral authority of the real police who patrol the streets."

I don't know if you are aware of this but most SWAT teams are made up of "the real police who patrol the streets". They are one in the same and I might add some of the finest human beings I know. We have all seen in the news the heroic work they do. Stereotyping is too easy and that is why simple minds engage in it. Most Police officers are dedicated and professional and would go in harms way to protect the citizens they serve. 911 comes to mind as well as many other incidents I have witnessed.

[Nov3]

I stand by the statement.

[Nov3]

Does your screename refer to the album?

[CJ Wolf]

I don't know if you are aware of this but most of the finest citizens I know are afraid of cops. Even to ask for help. Sure they are gonna call when they get robbed, beaten up or murdered, help find a little girl or if their insurance requires a police report but the proactive stance pretty much scares people. Nobody talks to a cop like they talk to real people, I think that's why they all hang out in a cop click and take care of thier brothers. We have all seen in the news where they off just about everyone they come in contact with with out regard to any common sense. Time after time again. Let me guess, you supported Waco.

[semaj]

I'm convinced that we are as infiltrated as is possible.

I here you bro. Stay safe.

[semaj]

Every law abiding citizen I know pretty much hates cops. That's a fact.

Hate is such a strong word, yet I distrust, and have little use for them.

[7thOF7th]

The outcome of the Waco incident was a tragedy and Janet Reno was inept but David K. was the villain. He was espousing to anarchistic ways and violated the law. If you want to enjoy the freedoms of this country you must abide by the laws, he did not. He possessed an arsenal of 50 cal. rifles, bombs, thousands of rounds of ammo and he oppressed many who resided in his compound. His actions created the situation and unfortunately it caused the deaths of many men women and children. Distilling the event down to its' outcome does not come close to ascribing responsibility. The place was a militant sanctuary and it had to be shut down. I sure hope you don't think like Tim McV. and use the tragedy to justify more killing of innocents.

[CJ Wolf]

Yes james, 'hate' is a strong word. That's pretty much what people tell me though. Ask around see what you find.

[CJ Wolf]

No I don't think like McV. But I was right you defend it.

[semaj]

I have read through most of this thread and have read your posts wihtout comment, that is until your comments posted in #363. You are a buffoon, and apparently serve in the capacity of an LEO, much to the detriment of the community you so poorly serve.

[7thOF7th]

When you say defend "it", what exactly do you think I am defending? The legal execution of a search warrant, the outcome, the FBI, the ATF what who. I defend the right of this Nation to enforce the laws it has enacted. If you have a problem with that I can't do anything about it but I don't need to waste my time debating either.

[7thOF7th]

Is that the best you can muster? You must be another tinfoil soldier who is caught up in the conspiratorial left's swill. Why don't you wise up and understand that the real world is not TV or the movies. What a dope!

[CJ Wolf]

Paraphrasing, your view. The military compound needed to be taken out at the cost of those kids and women who were oppressed by David. As in this pot case I am sure there could have be a better way to enforce those laws with the davidians. But then hindsight is always better.

Frankly, I would like you to listen, not get all pissed off at me. See people on the street whom you serve and protect won't tell you how they really feel about you and those laws, pretty much out of fear. My beefs are pretty lame, you know traffic tickets and the such, but I also read about a guy getting tasered at chucky-cheese a while back in front of his kids for allegely stealing a salad, ya just never know. So when I meet someone like you to ask for your help or while your out looking to be proactive, I always try to comply, be overly nice, show my hands, say yes officer, how can I help. There is a certain way I have to act in order to ensure I don't piss ya off. Cause if that happen, well I'm SOL. I'm just being honest here.

[semaj]

I've been around and seen enough to know that the government and its employees are not to be trusted. Your naive recommendation that a working class stiff should attempt to take on city hall if they're "innocent" is quite laughable. I have seen LEOs in action, cravenly lying to cover their asses, lazily refusing to due their sworn duty, enough so, that I have lost any respect I made have had for them. I have little use for you.

And as far as being a tinfoil soldier, you and the rest of your gestapo brethren can continue to believe so to your detriment. You're not a superman, although you probably thinkn you are, and you're definitely not bullet proof. I don't use drugs, but I do know how to use firearms. Semper Fi.