LOL... no, I'm not the guy I previously called a "sassy-mouthed sissy man". And, I'm not Hillary Clinton either.
I have been critical of Mr. Massey's actions.. he is not without blame in this incident. But, it is clear to me that it was Trooper Garnder's poor decisions and lack of professionalism that caused this incident to blow up and get to the point where a taser was used.
I've watched this stupid video at LEAST 20 times now. I have never viewed it with a "closed mind"... I've also shown it to MANY of my friends now.. including my police detective neighbor (who has also shown several co-workers) Frankly, I've yet to find anyone here who disagrees about the problem in this case.
We really don't know ALL of the facts in this case.... none of us know whether there really was another speed sign earlier.... we don't know whether Massey was clocked over the limit... we don't know everything that was said in the car...
From what we can see and hear, it appears to me that Massey REALLY believed he had done nothing wrong, and was trying desperately (and, ineffectively) to plead his case.
I believe Massey was SHOCKED (pardon the pun) when Gardner started yelling and pointing a gun (taser) at him. I think he was scared sh*tless. Gardner was acting like a maniac, and it was shocking to a guy who is not used this kind of situation, and is simply engaged in conversation. I don't believe Gardner was planning on fleeing the scene.. I think he was just scared, confused, and not sure WHAT to do.
You say Massey was going to "refuse the ticket? Really? How do you do that? It was already recorded. What happens after that means what? Nothing... Massey could EAT the ticket.. doesn't change a thing.
I don't know why Gardner decided an arrest was warranted here. I honestly can see no other reason than: He didn't LIKE Massey. And, I don't think that's reason enough.
“You say Massey was going to “refuse the ticket?”
I said he refused to sign the ticket (accept the ticket is another way of saying that). I know that because I heard him state he would not sign it.
Again, I apologize for the ‘personal attacks’. They never accomplish anything. I misunderstood one of your comments at the time.
“And, this cop picked the WRONG one.”
I interpreted that as you taking it a little bit too personally.
Yesterday, posters, like yourself, were ‘attacking’ me, and I responded in kind.
Today is a new day, and some of those same posters, including you, were much more civil, and open-minded about this subject. I responded in kind.
I think the driver , regardless to any excuses, was way out of line.
I think the officer did have some other options.
What I think isn’t going to matter one bit. It will depend on what happens in court, and what the Utah police department judges is proper policy, and what is not.
You think the officer picked the wrong battle, I think the driver picked the wrong battle.
If the driver didn’t see the speed limit sign (which was clearly visible from his vehicle as he passed the police car), then I would suggest to you that he needs to improve his awareness level when operating a motor vehicle, and that might save somebody’s life some day.