I like to think he drew the wrong weapon too. Unfortunately, I guess we will never no. Nonetheless he should be given the same benefit of the doubt that you and I would be given in that situation, if you shot someone you had face down and prone being partially restrained by a couple of your buddies: Zero.
But, but,...some animals are MORE equal than others.
Drew the wrong weapon?! Gimme a break. That cowboy cop has been playing too many Mean Streets video games. Any idea what the weight difference is between a pistol and a taser or the difference in location of the pistol habitually worn in location (a) while a month old taser is worn in location (b). Every office on the Bart Police Force needs to be put through a battery of psychological evaluation tests for signs of innate insecurity, sadism and control pathologies. This particular officer needs a one way limo ride to the victim’s neighborhood.
The difference is that police apprehend people and are officers of the law, and receive specialized training (though it didn’t help in this instance!). They generally have certain powers and duties my buddies and me do not. Their benefit of the doubt level is different than mine. It certainly is different in court testimony. Unless I have proof what I say happened, they will believe the officer. (It’s also why I have a recorder on me all the time.)
It is more plausible (not excuseable or approvable) to believe that a police officer accidentally shot someone while apprehending him, than it would be if ‘me and my buddies’ were doing the same thing, as I have far less reason to be doing that kind of thing as a non-law enforcement person.