Posted on 08/18/2012 3:01:59 PM PDT by marktwain
Bernell Benn said he was simply in line at a Rite Aid pharmacy Thursday afternoon to pick up his medicine.
He was chatting on the phone with his mother when he noticed that a man had cut in front of him. What happened next at the store in the 3600 block of Tidewater Drive is in dispute. Benn, in a jailhouse interview, said he was defending himself when he fatally shot that man in a gunfight.
"I came to the store just to get my medicine," said Benn, who was crying as he was led into the interview at Norfolk City Jail.
But police say evidence warranted his arrest. Police charged Benn, 41, of the 8100 block of Ridgefield Drive, with second-degree murder and felonious use of a firearm in the killing of Ramon P. Colorado Jr.
Colorado, 42, was a former Norfolk deputy sheriff and auxiliary deputy in Chesapeake who was known for his online persona "Norfolk Dirt."
After he noticed another man had gotten in line in front him, Benn said he told the other man, "Excuse me, sir. I'm in line."
After the man became hostile, Benn said, "I moved out of the way and let him have the spot."
Benn said he continued talking to his mother when he was hit by pepper spray and heard the other man say, "I got more for you, bro."
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
Colorado sounds like a real jerk who liked to power trip under color of authority. There’s no info on Benn’s past. However, it seems like Colorado pepper-sprayed him for little or no reason; it seems very believable that he was the aggressor.
Watch the store security tapes Detectives,then tell Internal Affairs and the DA to go to HADES.
Obviously more info is needed, but right now I am leaning towards believing Benn.
There’s a jail interview at the link w/ Benn. And other videos on Colorado’s Face-Butt page.
I don’t understand how Benn was shot in the back if, as cops claim, he was approaching Colorado w/ drawn gun? No other witness interviews or accounts? Or do the cops prohibit that w/ TV crews until they get taped statements for heir case against Benn? Something ‘smells’.
From the article, "Benn has a concealed handgun permit and has no criminal convictions, according to a 2009 renewal of his permit".
Also from the article...
Benn's statement is at odds with information released by police, who gave the following account: Benn accused Colorado of cutting in front of him and they began arguing just after 2 p.m. Colorado sprayed Benn with pepper spray. Benn then drew a handgun and approached Colorado, firing at him. Colorado drew a handgun, returned fire and collapsed.
Even if the police version is true, it still sounds like self defense to me.
Me, too. I caught the sentence about Benn, but thought that the info it contained wasn't detailed enough to infer anything about his character one way or the other.
There probably WAS video since those areas are almost certainly covered by security cameras.
I’d wager the evidence gets lost if it shows this guys story is accurate.
The police version has Colorado initiating the argument by cutting in line and then pepper-spraying Benn. But, it also has Benn drawing first and advancing on Colorado, which would undermine the self defense argument. Benn says he drew after Colorado started to go for his gun.
No disrespect intended to the police, but they may be erring on the side of arrest because the initial info is that Colorado had some minor law enforcement association.
The cop sounds like a real prick, but it won’t matter that a judge revoked his concealed weapon permit or why he was fired. He was an excop, so that guy is screwed.
You’d expect there to be at least several cameras that would be focused on the pharmacy area.
This sounds like cops blindly defending a cop. Union brotherhood trumps justice.
If Benn drew first then he is guilty.
That's a matter of opinion. If he was blinded by pepper spray and in fear of further assault (and why wouldn't he be?), he may have advanced to make sure he hit Colorado, and not a bystander.
I bet that guy never cuts in line again.
If you are attacked with pepper spray, you don’t have a right to draw your gun to defend yourself?
Is pepperspray considered a ‘deadly weapon”? Just curious.
If they were standing in line to be served, there has to be witnesses. Probably video as well. I am certain that the ex cop was an a-hole , one who was carrying pepper spray AND a firearm. Still: Being shot in the back makes for some confusion here.
Guess we will have to wait until the jury decides.
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