Officer charged after allegedly killing suspect with chokehold: 'I’m going to f*** choke you out, bro'

The Blaze ^ | June 10, 2020 | Aaron Colen

[Twotone]

A former Las Cruces, New Mexico, police officer was charged with involuntary manslaughter Friday for allegedly killing a suspect who was fleeing and resisting arrest with a chokehold, NBC News reported.

Former Officer Christopher Smelser reportedly killed Antonio Valenzuela on Feb. 29. Valenzuela was pulled over and he had warrants for parole and probation violations. He tried to run away, and officers were unable to subdue him even after tasing him multiple times.

Body camera footage records Smelser telling Valenzuela "I'm going to f*** choke you out, bro," followed by the apparent sound of Valenzuela choking. He died at the scene.

The autopsy report lists the cause of death as "asphyxia injuries due to physical restraint," and noted that methamphetamines "significantly" contributed to his death.

The police report indicates that Smelser restrained Valenzuela with a "lateral vascular neck restraint," a controversial method that has since been banned by the Las Cruces Police Department.

[Twotone]

I have no doubt that police get totally ‘fried’ dealing with bad guys, lose their temper & say things they really don’t mean. But when it’s going to be recorded they can’t afford to give in to temper.

Actually, it goes for any of us, as none of us know when someone is recording what we’re up to these days.

[Arones]

But when it’s going to be recorded they can’t afford to give in to temper.

Or, figure out how to turn off the camera, or never turning on in the first place, or "lose" the video, or...

[Twotone]

Personally I’m in favor of the bodycams. It should A) help to weed out bad cops, & B) prove who the bad guy really is when there’s an accusation of police brutality. The cops have a tough job, & we all know that. But they sought & trained for those jobs, & have to be held to a very high standard when it comes to enforcing the law.

[Does so]

Since I wrote #22, I heard on the radio news that the “Neck-Triangulating-Hold” will no longer be allowed by police.

(So it’s been in use for 20+ years).

[CedarDave]

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[Diana in Wisconsin]

Why aren’t cops just shooting people in the leg as Uncle Joe suggests? *SMIRK*

[cradle of freedom]

Makes you wonder how these criminals treat their women.