Suspect Who Turns His Back & Raises Hands into Air Is Killed by PCSO Deputy

SanTanValley.com ^ | Friday, January 24, 2014 | CBS 5 staff

[kiryandil]

Video of a police standoff contradicts the initial Pinal County Sheriff's Office description of the chain of events that led to the shooting death of a suspected car thief. The man had led police and sheriff's deputies on a chase through Casa Grande and Eloy for nearly an hour, before deputies immobilized the car he was driving.

A witness shot the video on a cell phone. It shows the final moments of the standoff, when deputies were ordering Manuel Longoria to surrender. The deputies had their weapons drawn and fired five bean bag rounds at the suspect, in addition to Taser rounds.

Longoria appeared to be moving his arms around, and did not appear to be cooperating with the deputies. Seconds later, the video shows Longoria turn his back on the deputies and raise both hands into the air, high over his head. One second later, a lone deputy fired two shots, killing Longoria.

[marktwain]

“Looks like an “ignisecond” kind of event to me. ignisecond – [Sniglet] the overlapping moment of time when the hand is locking the car door even as the brain is saying, “My keys are in there!” Still Manslaughter, not murder.

Let’s say the cops kick in the wrong door, and the resident, thinking it’s a home invasion, puts a bullet thru the cop’s head before realizing it’s a cop.

Would it be likely that the prosecutor would accept the “ignisecond” defense, or would he be charged with “murder one” (in the unlikely case the resident survived).”

Sometimes, the citizen prevails, but prosecutors tend to side with the police. In these days of multiple recordings, having a recording of the events is likely the best chance a citizen has of prevailing.

[JRandomFreeper]

I was familiar with his tendency. I didn't realize that he had a reverse ping list going. ;)

/johnny

[EDINVA]

If I’d “Borrowed” or “stolen” my sister’s car, I’d not have led cops on an hour-long chase. That choice endangered him, the cops, anyone on the roads or streets alone the chase route or even in houses along that route, as more than one chase has ended with the car in someone’s living room. Truly stupid decision. THAT was the moment of clear choice, fatal as it turns out.

[null and void]

Nice to see another Nasrudin fan here...

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

What these people don’t realize is that the cop’s paycheck and pension mean a whole lot more to him than any of our rights.

I wonder if the families of these local cops hold any special meaning to them.

Because when/if door to door gun confiscations start, there will be terror on their home front.

But that aside, I don't think there will be any door to door gun confiscations by local yokels. There are far easier ways to get them.

[Vendome]

LOL!

Thatz just mean...

If it weren’t for threads like this he’d never find relevancy.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Watching the video, I would have to say the benefit of doubt goes to the cop. The shots were fired less than a second after the hands were going up. The suspect was fidgeting and scrambling to find an escape. Its not clear cut by any means, but I would have a hard time convicting the cop of manslaughter in this particular case given the video evidence.

[KrisKrinkle]

Would I get the consideration of an ignisecond if I had been the shooter?

No. I'd get charged with murder. The cop should be charged with murder.

Consideration from whom? If I was on the jury I'd certainly consider it, given a choice between manslaughter or murder. I can't say what my decision would be, but I'd consider it.

Based on what I remember reading and seeing, the guy claimed to have a weapon, turned like he was going to get it from the car, then raised his hands. Looks like, maybe, as the guy turned to the car, the cop thought to himself "He's going for it", prepared to fire, the guy raised his hands, the cop was concentrating on firing more than the target, and had an OMG moment.

And yes, you'd probably get charged with murder and the prosecutor would cheerfully plea it down to manslaughter.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Oh, but let me be clear. This is assuming the there was any real threat that the suspect could have caused harm to the cop. I didn’t see that at all. But if there WERE a reason for shots to be fired, it would be a tough call to indict the shooter of manslaughter or murder. Much more evidence and the cop’s service record would weigh heavily on my decision.

[KrisKrinkle]

Let's say the cops kick in the wrong door, and the resident, thinking it's a home invasion, puts a bullet thru the cop's head before realizing it's a cop.

In Indiana the resident might be ok:

http://theweek.com/article/index/229167/the-indiana-law-that-lets-citizens-shoot-cops

I don't know about other places.

Would it be likely that the prosecutor would accept the “ignisecond” defense, or would he be charged with "murder one" (in the unlikely case the resident survived).

I'm not a prosecutor, but I have been a juror and I would consider that defense given murder versus manslaughter. I can't say what my decision would be. And even though I'm not a prosecutor, I'm pretty sure a prosecutor would charge murder and cheerfully plea it down to manslaughter.

[dragnet2]

Bet that’s what happened...

BTW, they are supposed to yell out, “Beanbag” prior delivering the bag round so as not to set off a chain shoot with real rounds.

[TurboZamboni]

My guess is someone heard the pop pop and decided to help with bang bang thinking pop pop was bang bang.

[RandallFlagg]

Five shots were fired before the sixth shot dropped the suspect.
Very questionable.
Without any other details, this stays in the, "WTF," category in my mind...
(But, this IS Pinal County, after all.)

[skinkinthegrass]

but, he did go home that night, (/s).
He might've dropped an "extra gun" next to tbe prep.
it's happened before..protecting the LEOs' integrity.
get ready citizenry, when the universe crumbles for
[psycho] 0'ButtCrack. :'(

[Blue Collar Christian]

It’s OK. Police are justified to execute perpetrators now without arrest, or trial, or legal representation, or conviction, especially if cops are good and pissed about a high speed chase. There are many here on FR who totally endorse it.

[Clump]

Nothing surprises me about this government murder and sloppy half ass cover up.
My only surprise is that the top brass at the SO continues to stand by the officer and that he was placed back on duty.
Words fail me reagarding the actions of the supervising authorities in the aftermath.
The more immunity cops are given the more bold they trample our rights.

My wife and I homeschool our kids.
We have had to carefully go over what types of situations warrant a 911 call.
Sadly the danger posed by the cops exceeds that of the basis for the 911 call.
My kids are getting a REAL education.
Praise God we can still homeschool!

[citizen]

Sorry, FRiend, I can’t agree with your reasoning. Your “their adrenaline was pumping” scenario could be used to excuse any and all police use of excessive, even deadly, force, be it with a gun, a baton, a flashlight, a boot or their fists.

[Clump]

Nothing surprises me about this government murder and sloppy half ass cover up.
My only surprise is that the top brass at the SO continues to stand by the officer and that he was placed back on duty.
Words fail me reagarding the actions of the supervising authorities in the aftermath.
The more immunity cops are given the more bold they trample our rights.

My wife and I homeschool our kids.
We have had to carefully go over what types of situations warrant a 911 call.
Sadly the danger posed by the cops often exceeds that of the basis for the 911 call.
My kids are getting a REAL education.
Praise God we can still homeschool!

[Blue Collar Christian]

“Truly stupid decision. THAT was the moment of clear choice, fatal as it turns out.”

Yes. Fatal as it turns out to have endangered folks. How about you admit that you believe it is the DUTY of the cops to execute such perpetrators.

Folks like you don’t realize what a terrifying trend this is.

[deks]

Sheriff of Pinal County:

Isn't the boyfriend cute? He's illegal.

---

In case anyone missed this paragraph which explains why the cop shot and killed the suspect (shooting him twice in the back). . . . "This suspect sadly and regrettably when given every opportunity to surrender and to comply and obey our commands, decided not to," said [Sheriff Paul] Babeu.

---

Found an interesting article about the Sheriff from 2012...

Demands Grow for Full Investigation into Allegations Against Sheriff Paul Babeu

Phoenix New Times - February 23, 2012

Calls for an investigation were mounting following New Times' web exclusive about allegations that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and his attorney threatened the sheriff's ex-boyfriend with deportation after their relationship ended.

Under pressure, Babeu admitted in a weekend press conference that he is gay, that photos and text messages [his postings of explicit photos and information on gay websites] published along with New Times' article are authentic, that he plans to complete his term as sheriff, and that he intends to continue his campaign for Congress in the 4th Congressional District.

"Babeu has brought discredit to himself, his office, law enforcement, and Pinal County," Supervisor Rios tells New Times. "Pinal County is in turmoil, in a crisis; we need to bring closure to this."

Article link

From Wikipedia: "In October 2011, Babeu announced the formation of an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Congress, but later withdrew following a controversy. He instead won re-election to a second term as sheriff on November 6, 2012."

Sheriff of Pinal County:

Isn't the boyfriend cute? He's illegal.