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.

[vrwc0915]

I have tried to keep this civil and abide by the forum rules. If you really are employed by a law enforcement agency I am amazed that you passed the physc. evaluation. Nice how you refused to answer my question and have to resort to personal attacks. Oh and by the way I was honorably discharged (medical) from the USMC after 3 years of service. But that matters not to you because I disagree with your pissing on the US Constitution that you allegedly swore to defend against all enemies foreign and domestic. I really don't think I can continue this dialog and abide bye the forum rules

[vrwc0915]

Oh and yes in my haste I did misspell in the last post, I am sure you can use that to attack my intellect

[flashbunny]

You seem to have some real problems.

[ActionNewsBill]

The outcome of the Waco incident was a tragedy and Janet Reno was inept but David K. was the villain.

Why am I not surprised that you believe the government lies about what happened at Waco?

You believe that over 80 men, women and children deserved to die. What a tool!

You have shown yourself to be nothing more than a government apologist, and a member of the "police can do no wrong" contingent here at Free Republic.

Cops like you disgust me, and you have no business weraing a badge.

[blackeagle]

actually, it was in no way meant to be cynical. I probably should have said this before but I'm only a 17 year old and for years I never payed attention to the local news. now with the break of this story, I wanted to learn some history of my home town.

[Junior]

Just keep that in mind the next time the cops burst into the wrong house and kill someone trying to protect his family from unknown intruders.

I bet you figured the Gestapo were just doing their jobs, too.

[Wolfie]

These no-knock raids amount to summary executions. Cops just hope they'll get the chance to kill someone.

[ActionNewsBill]

Cops just hope they'll get the chance to kill someone.

That's true, and there are more than a few posters here cheering them on.

[Dustbunny]

Really stupid. If he only had 2 ounces of marijuana why in the world did he go for a gun. Sounds as though his brain had absorbed too much weed smoke.

[biblewonk]

Hmmm, do nothing and get killed by home intruders, or grab my gun and defend myself? I guess I'll just be a sheep...

Hmmmm could you be a little more lame. Yer holding 2 oz of weed and you have a gun sitting next to you because you always have people breaking into your house? Yeah. Lay off the cop shows bunny.

[ContemptofCourt]

Never said that...hell, I could care less who smokes pot or how much they smoke.

[BJClinton]

...if anyone on freerepublic owns ziplog sandwich bags or postage meter scales throw them away or you will be shot by your superiors..

Sorry to disagree, but pointing his gun at the storm-troopers is what got him killed. The dope, scales and baggies would have just gotten him a slap on the wrist, a fine and probably cost him some property like his car.

2 Oz, scales and baggies could indicate he was a small-time dealer, definately not grounds for a no-knock raid. Then again maybe he just buys bulk, a Costco and Sam's stoner type.

Regardless, is the world a better place with this man in jail or dead? Or would we be better off simply taxing and regulating the production and distribution of products idiots use to waste their lives? A say the latter.

[7thOF7th]

"You believe that over 80 men, women and children deserved to die. What a tool!"

It amazes me how many of you continue to ascribe words to me which I have not said. Your zealousness and obfuscation are blinding the message I have been espousing in this thread. " If you engage in criminal activity, you must accept the consequences." I understand that many of my dissenters out there would desire a world where the police are just used for target practice and fodder but the real world will always bite you people in the A$$. That is when you will come crawling to the police begging for their assistance every time. Why don't you dissenters embrace the whole instead of your little slice of perverted conditions. It is because you are all "sleprocks" who want to believe the world is flat! Go back in your holes and let us do our jobs for the law abiding, tax paying, American citizens!

[vrwc0915]

You said "That is when you will come crawling to the police begging for their assistance every time."
Get over your self 70% of police work is traffic and taking reports after a crime has occurred. How do I know this? After recovering from my injuries I was a deputy sheriff. I can not speak for your department or region but 98% of the guys I worked with were professional and polite and would not put up with your attitude. Oh and for everyone Else's benefit since you did not have time to answer my question (but you did have time to accuse me of being a fraud) ARTICLE VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[7thOF7th]

First let me apologize to you for the "fraud" accusation, I was responding to SAMAJ and not you. With that said, what are you characterizing my attitude as? I feel I have stated clearly the position my oath of office pledges. In this case the perp was know to be a drug dealer,(the extent of which is unknown), he was known to posses a gun and he had sold drugs to undercover officers. The SOP is to execute a search warrant in a manner which posses the least risk to the public and the officers tasked with carrying it out. The fact that this suspect went for a gun reinforces the SOP. His actions showed that he was unpredictable, (as all human beings are), so the tactic was "spot on". Unless any additional evidence is presented which contradicts these facts, the actions are warranted, (but the death unfortunate).
I am well aware of UCMJ Article VI. Just so you understand, I served six years with honor(1978-1984). Once again I apologize for the misunderstanding last night but SAMAJ claimed to be someone he was not and it got my Ire up!

[68 grunt]

I have tried to keep this civil and abide by the forum rules. ...

This dude doesn't follow the rules. He is a plant, a disruptor, and right now he's on an e-ticket ride.

Btw, I liked your definition of two latin words.

[ActionNewsBill]

The fact that this suspect went for a gun reinforces the SOP.

Yeah right, we all know that cops would never lie to cover up a "bad shoot".

This is just CYA posturing by the cops.

[ActionNewsBill]

It amazes me how many of you continue to ascribe words to me which I have not said.

You defended the JBT goons who murdered innocent people at Waco.

What did I miss?

Go back in your holes and let us do our jobs for the law abiding, tax paying, American citizens!

Thank you for showing your elitism and the "all citizens are perps" attitude that is so pervasive in police departments nowdays.

Give it a rest, pal...you and cops like you are a disgrace.

[7thOF7th]

That assertion is pure speculation which is based on nothing more than your opinion. The statements which have been made by police are fact! If you have evidence which refutes the statements you should present it. They were there and we were not, but the evidence is what it is.

[subterfuge]

"That man was shot for grabbing a gun."

You keep saying that like you were there. I like how you say "served a search warrant" as if they brought him a sandwich and some tea. The f-ed up the whole thing when a swat team let things get so out of control they have to shoot someone in their own home.

How about parking in front of the house and saying "come out with your hands up?" Would that be so hard to control? At worst the guy takes some potshots at the cops. ITS AT THAT POINT that the cops are then justified in blasting him or using shock grenades. The guy is dead, have some sympathy.