Yes, it is an interesting read. Clearly the cop had to investigate and make sure Gates was indeed in his own residence and not an intruder. Sounds like Gates had already provided ID (after some initial reluctance) but just wouldn’t shut up and stop yelling at the cop, depite multiple warnings. Not really behavior becoming a university professor.
I suppose the cop could have just continued to walk away and that would have caused Gates to eventually shut up and stop disturbing the peace. I imagine all the “You don’t know who you are messing with!” talk made him less inclined to cut him that break. I’m thinking most LEOs hear “You don’t know who you are messing with!” as “Please arrest me, I’m begging you, please arrest me! I really want to go to jail!”
I suppose the cop could have just continued to walk away and that would have caused Gates to eventually shut up and stop disturbing the peace. I imagine all the “You don’t know who you are messing with!” talk made him less inclined to cut him that break. I’m thinking most LEOs hear “You don’t know who you are messing with!” as “Please arrest me, I’m begging you, please arrest me! I really want to go to jail!”
Yeah, I think you are dead right...this was a guy who was looking for trouble and the cop was probably not looking for it, but didn’t mind finding it with this kind of kook...