Posted on 01/02/2012 11:19:59 AM PST by dragnet2
LAPD officers swarmed and handcuffed what they described as a "person of interest" in the Los Angeles arsonist spree that has left thousands of residents scared out of their wits for days.
Fire officials say "it is too early to speculate" if this is the person responsible for the fires.
Police have already released surveillance video showing the alleged suspect -- a ponytailed Steven Seagal lookalike (below). As you can see in our video ... the man in custody sports a ponytail
Cops previously said 39 fires could be linked to the recent rash of arsons ... and another 11 were reportedly set last night.
It's not 100% clear from the footage -- but several witnesses confirm what appears to be a creepy smile on the man's face as he sat in the back of the squad car (below).
9:32 AM PT: Riding in an equestrian unit this morning at the Rose Parade, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said, "We are we are very confident we found our man."
8:13 AM PT: Police say fire-starting materials were found in the man's van, which displayed Canadian license plates. According to reports, the materials include charcoal.
0102_thevan_tmz_wm2 8:00 AM PT: There are reports the man may be a German national, who is angry that his mother is being deported from the US. An immigration agent helped identify him.
In criminal law regarding investigations, there are only four classes of people;
1) People not thought to have committed any crime in question. Cops often talk to these, seeking information. This includes people with “connections”, or even “knowledge” of the crime. No miranda, etc is required.
2) People who the evidence reasonably indicates MAY have committed the crime. These are suspects. Suspects gain their name from the term “reasonable suspicion”. They are the person reasonably “suspected” of the crime. As the investigation progresses, they might be exonerated and released, or charged. When interviewed,, miranda et al apply.
3) People who the evidence provides “probable cause” for charging. It is no longer a matter of “reasonable suspicion”. Now the evidence says this person did it and we can prove it. These people are charged and prosecuted.
4) Last,, the convicted. The evidence proves beyond any reasonable doubt that they did the crime.
Name them anything you want. But “persons of interest” are a lame PIO attempt to blend one and two. Fine for TV. But the courts will later segregate people into these four categories, and expect that the rules for each will be followed. When the cops clearly think you did it because every bit of evidence points to you,, and they are hunting YOU and only YOU. They better treat you with the rules of category two, if they want to win.
These categories have long existed- and still exist.
If you want to use person of interest as a substitute for “suspect,, fine. But it isn’t a new separate category.
(legally speaking)
In criminal law regarding investigations, there are only four classes of people;
1) People not thought to have committed any crime in question. Cops often talk to these, seeking information. This includes people with “connections”, or even “knowledge” of the crime. No miranda, etc is required.
2) People who the evidence reasonably indicates MAY have committed the crime. These are suspects. Suspects gain their name from the term “reasonable suspicion”. They are the person reasonably “suspected” of the crime. As the investigation progresses, they might be exonerated and released, or charged. When interviewed,, miranda et al apply.
3) People who the evidence provides “probable cause” for charging. It is no longer a matter of “reasonable suspicion”. Now the evidence says this person did it and we can prove it. These people are charged and prosecuted.
4) Last,, the convicted. The evidence proves beyond any reasonable doubt that they did the crime.
Name them anything you want. But “persons of interest” are a lame PIO attempt to blend one and two. Fine for TV. But the courts will later segregate people into these four categories, and expect that the rules for each will be followed. When the cops clearly think you did it because every bit of evidence points to you,, and they are hunting YOU and only YOU. They better treat you with the rules of category two, if they want to win.
These categories have long existed- and still exist.
If you want to use person of interest as a substitute for “suspect,, fine. But it isn’t a new separate category.
(legally speaking)
I like the British description: “assisting the police in their inquiries”.
Send him to Guantanamo, for a long time.
Can we burn him at the stake?
Interestingly,, the DOJ and federal courts have no difinition for the term “person of interest”. It is simply a euphemism for “Suspect”,, and it’s catchy sounding for PIOs. It sounds like something an actress on CSI might say.
Senator Grassley even asked the Ashcroft DOJ to define the term in reference to it’s use in the 9/11 anthrax case, and after the response, concluded that it actually HAS no official definition.
Now the Brits,, thats an odd world with some very different approaches!
“I hate America!” will get him a good bit of support from lots of RATS and other vermin in Cali.
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Sounds like a moslem to me. Did he scream 'Allah Akbar' as the homes went up in smoke?
A previous thread suggested muslim related.
Any info re; this perp’s “religous” associations?
Not yet that I have seen.
I agree, it's not a formal status, but in the above circumstances, and in similar situations where a desire to avoid alerting the individual in question to just how much is known and how much trouble he's in (provoking him to flee), it's a useful category.
That said, it makes no sense in the L.A. situation, because the guy's in custody. “Suspect” is the operative phrase there.
In fact, like Charlie Manson from Ohio, it appears even this suspect is not from CA or possibly from this country.
That photo looks like Rod Steiger being arrested by Judd Hirsch and some unidentified Mexican guy.
I would imagine, since he was arrested just hours ago, his status will quickly change, after all their ducks are neatly in a row.
For those who dislike the term, "Person of interest" rest assured, it will formally change to suspect shortly, and my bet, already has as far as the investigators are concerned.
Be interesting to see if there are any more vehicle arson fires tonight.
BTW, all celebrities are not vermin, regardless of what you might have been told.
I worked with them for thirty years, I’m aware there are exceptions.
You bet there are.
It's probably the most publicity Steven Seagal has had in years, heh.
“And many times, they will not call a suspect a suspect if the suspect is still outstanding, as they try to avoid their person of interest heading for the tall grass. If the person of interest hears they are being called or considered a suspect, many times they will run/hide.”
I don’t know about you, but if I knew I was “a suspect” and they called me a “person of interest,” I’d already be “heading for the tall grass.”
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