Posted on 09/15/2013 3:19:02 PM PDT by marktwain
TUCSON, AZ (CBS5) -
CBS 5 Investigates has learned that attorneys for Pima County have agreed to settle a case with the family of a slain Iraq War veteran, who was gunned down during a SWAT raid at the vet's home.
In the original claim, Jose Guerena's family demanded $20 million. The family's attorney, Christopher Scileppi, confirmed that the sides has reached an agreement, but that it still needed the approval of the county board of supervisors and the court. He did not say how much the family would receive in the settlement.
At issue was whether an innocent man was killed in the raid, and whether the detectives on the case had done enough investigation to warrant a SWAT team entry.
The raid took place on May 5, 2011 in a housing development outside Tucson. Video of the event shows SWAT members banging on the front door, announcing themselves and setting off flash-bang grenades in the backyard. After knocking down the front door, SWAT members fired more than 70 shots into the home.
A news release issued that day alleges that the SWAT members were confronted by Jose Guerena, who was carrying an AR-15 assault rifle and opened fire on the deputies. Four days later, PCSD released an updated version of the events, which indicated Guerena was carrying the firearm, but never opened fire. According to the second release, the gun's safety was on.
"Guilt by association. They thought that his brothers may be involved in some sort of drug trafficking organization, activity, whatever the case and they thought well, we'll just hit this house too," said Scileppi in November of last year, when CBS 5 Investigates first looked into the shooting.
Scileppi said Guerena and his wife believed they were the victims of a home invasion.
(Excerpt) Read more at kpho.com ...
Was this guy the midnight-shift copper miner?
yes and they still gunned down’an innocent person in a home invasion by badged thug. no one gets fired, no one loses their pensions, no one goes’to jail.
get recording stuff on you and hidden in the house where they can’t find it/get to it.
Yes. That is the incident.
He worked at a mine, yes. A needless killing by law enforcement who decided to use SWAT for the purpose of executing a search warrant at his home to procure evidence of a crime. The victim had the audacity to arm himself after being rudely awakened by the mob surrounding his home and forcing their way into it.
A few dozen more successful lawsuits and maybe cops will think twice about using SWAT where the threat is minimal. SWAT teams have a great way of increasing the threat to everyone involved in my opinion.
The name of the man killed was Jose Guerena. The incident prompted my rage to the degree I made my first and only post to this site.
Of course the resultant citizen outcry generated the prompt removal of the elected Sheriff of Pima County, one Clarence Dupnick, and the firing of the officers involved who were “only following orders”. /s
Happy motoring!
The citizens canned Dipstick? That’s good news!
Pssst...Hey Donna...wanna come piss on this marine’s grave some more? Or do you want to do the morally right and intellectually honest thing and admit your grave pissing was wrong?
I am so glad to hear that Sheriff Dipstick was removed from office. Thanks for the update.
Why would they care? The lawsuits do not affect them, just the taxpayers.
Since the insurance company and the local taxes pay for the lawsuits the cops will just keep doing this.
Until the cops who plan and participate in these raids are taken to task, arrested, charged, imprisoned, and sued personally for everything they are worth it’s going to keep happening.
I think you both missed the /s tag. The democr@p sherrif still has his job. See http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Dupnik
Did miss the sarc tag.
Not until they're held personally liable. Paying settlements with taxpayers' money doesn't harm them a bit.
The shooting started when a deputy tripped, and had an accidental discharge as they were about to enter. The keystone cops responded to that by shooting up the building, and then waited for the serviceman to bleed out.
They deliberately let him die. What did they care? Their families are safe, or so they think.
I think that the names and addresses of the officers involved should be made public, “as a lesson to others.”
“A few dozen more successful lawsuits and maybe cops will think twice....”
I don’t mean to be contentious, but I’m afraid it’ll take more than that.
Crap, the fact that voters won’t even bother to remove trash like Dipstick from office is disheartening.
Misinterpretation understood and from now on I won’t use the abbreviation. Thanks piytar.
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