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It seems to me most of this thread misses the point, at least in FR discussion terms. The entry was illegal. That stinks. Police State tactics, give me a break. The officers would be alive.

."Police State tactics" are a serious threat, a serious issue, many examples on this thread, but this isn’t it. They screwed up. Police State tactics? That crazy in the trailer park, assault weapon found (10/22 with accessories, so it looks ugly in the picture, hand grip, magazine visible, ugly stuff), 1,992 rounds of ammunition (bot 4 bricks, used 8 rounds to shoot at rabbits). Fortunately the Swat team was successful in their entry, protecting us (not our rights) Frank is dead (and we’re safer) and the officers are with their children tonight. That’s a Police State, not using a key from mom to enter the trailer of a retarded (?) son who you’ve visited frequently before. Yeah, that’s wrong, also stupid, but they paid a huge price for their mistake.

The militarization of police functions in America is a HUGE problem, but IMO it’s not evident here. I have nothing but compassion for the officers and their families, and Frank and his mom too. It’s a sad event.

To me, as a nonprofessional (Abundy, I get to go on the jury) it’s the “confession”. Clearly not coerced (per police state tactics) if we believe the police. Somehow I have to reconcile “I thought I was protecting my home, “I didn't know they were police… until I got outside." (Lots of harm, no foul) with “Fisher said Zito was yelling "Nazi Gestapo"”, do I believe Fisher. If he knew they were LEOs when he pulled the trigger, he’s a murderer (and he DID form intent), if not, he’s innocent.

BTW, as a prosecutor, would you actually worry about whether Frank commited a crime (can’t believe you got beat up for that) rather that pursuing the interests of the State? If Md doesn’t want you, come here to Illinois. As you know, about half our death row residents later walk for technicalities (like, they didn’t do it). And one of those who turned away is running for gov as an R, though he never knew anything. That’s how you get to a police state. We could use more of you.

First of all, if the Fourth Amendment "technicality" was violated, the arrest becomes questionable, which could lead to the "confessions" getting suppressed. Further, if the Fourth Amendment "technicality" was violated, the issue of self defense automatically comes into play, with the factual isssues I outlined before becoming of paramount importance. If that were to happen his some of his comments could actually help him, as it shows his state of mind.

You can all piss and moan about my posts all you want - the reality is, even as a prosecutor an attorney is obliged to respect the Constitutional Rights of the accused - no matter how much you guys might want to bring back the Star Chamber.

AdolfFufkin, you don't know a damn thing about me...if you did, you'd find I'm pretty resepected amongst the law enforcment community and the bar where I work. I don't lose the tough ones and I don't bow to political pressure to dump cases. The cops respect that and the defense bar, with the exception of two or three real assholes, respect that as well. You'd also be surprised to find that most of the cops I work with who are familiar with this case share the same concerns I do - for the same reasons.

Some day you'll graduate from high school. Hopefully you'll pull your head out of your @ss before you suffocate and then enventually you'll evolve. If you don't I have no doubt you'll end up running your own Fascists Underground Club...

I concur this is a sad event and have compassion for the officers and their families. But I take exception to your claim that that The militarization of police functions in America is a HUGE problem, but IMO it’s not evident here. When the LEO's are wearing body armor and carrying Glocks they take liberties and feel invincable sadly sometimes there are unexpected results.