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Officer charged after allegedly killing suspect with chokehold: 'I’m going to f*** choke you out, bro'
The Blaze ^ | June 10, 2020 | Aaron Colen

Posted on 06/10/2020 5:21:05 PM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: brutality; police
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To: Arones

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.


41 posted on 06/11/2020 9:34:30 AM PDT by Twotone (While one may vote oneself into socialism one has to shoot oneself out of it.)
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To: Twotone
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...

42 posted on 06/11/2020 10:28:32 AM PDT by Arones (When Leftists are in a minority, then they look for other ways to win.)
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To: Arones

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.


43 posted on 06/11/2020 12:09:49 PM PDT by Twotone (While one may vote oneself into socialism one has to shoot oneself out of it.)
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To: RedStateRocker

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).


44 posted on 06/12/2020 2:19:49 AM PDT by Does so (Neo-Venezuelans = Democrats = Rioters = Looters)
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To: Twotone; LegendHasIt; leapfrog0202; Santa Fe_Conservative; DesertDreamer; OneWingedShark; ...

NM list PING!

I may not PING for all New Mexico articles. To see New Mexico articles by topic click here: New Mexico Topics

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To see the NM Message Page, click here: New Mexico Messages

(The NM list is available on my FR homepage for FR member use; its use in the News Forum should not be for trivial or inconsequential posts. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
(For ABQ Journal articles requiring a subscription, scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the article for free after answering a question or watching a short video commercial.)

45 posted on 06/12/2020 12:45:51 PM PDT by CedarDave (Wash your hands like you just peeled a sack of green chile and need to take out your contact lenses.)
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To: Twotone

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


46 posted on 06/12/2020 2:04:09 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Roman_War_Criminal

Makes you wonder how these criminals treat their women.


47 posted on 06/19/2020 7:57:50 PM PDT by cradle of freedom (Why are they called globalists? Because they want the whole world!)
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