Posted on 07/02/2002 2:09:18 PM PDT by caa26
An Anne Arundel County grand jury has decided not to indict an F-B-I agent in the mistaken shooting of an unarmed Pasadena man.
The panel began considering the case last week, and heard testimony from the shooting victim, Joseph Schultz, and his girlfriend, Krissy Harkum.
F-B-I agent Christopher Braga thought he had cornered a bank robbery suspect when he shot Schultz in the face. Schultz was in the passenger seat in Harkum's car as they were returning from a shopping tip March 1.
The F-B-I and Anne Arundel County police investigated the shooting, and the county state's attorney's office took the case to the grand jury.
Braga has already returned to regular duty.
Yes. There are too many trolls and newbies around. When I have to check a poster's handle and try to remember if this person likes to send up offensive comments as sarcasm, the tags need to be included. Just MHO, of course.
Now think of this same agency as the lead investigative and arresting agency for the new "Office of Reich Security",with sweeping new powers granted by the so-called "Patriot's Act".
Surely you don't mean to imply that the Patriot Act would be abused by our benevolent Federal Agencies, do you? I mean, the FBI and ATF don't have a track record of breaking the law and violating citizen's rights, do they? The stories coming out of Boston about the FBI are coming from The Onion, right? I'm outraged at your suggestion, sir. Besides, if they violate the law we can always charge them criminally, right?
/sarcasm
(Careful or we'll both get labeled as terrorist supporters and then banished for even implying that there is anything wrong with the Patriot Act or the Agencies whose power it increases.)
What is that old saw? A prosecutor, so inclined, can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. Methinks the prosecutor was not particularly ardent in his pursuit of justice.
I don't know how they could though, just ain't right.
The grand jury deliberated 20 minutes before declining to indict Special Agent Christopher Braga on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault or reckless endangerment in the shooting, county prosecutors said.
This is more sickening than the FBI not taking blame. The jury only took 20 minutes to decide there was nothing criminal with this shooting. We're all f*cked.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/custom/guns/bal-te.md.fbi03jul03.story?coll=bal%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
Here we are.
because Federal people are easier to get off the hook than the locals when they murder innocent people.
Any statement I make in answer to this question would be simple speculation on their motives so I shall refrain from speculation and let the actions speak for themselves.
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
He was in fear because he put himself in an exposed position due to his misconduct - therefore he is, at the minimum, exposed to a second degree murder; and or involuntary manslaughter charge under MD law.
Since the victim did not die, probably to the great regret of the agents involved does this fact not rule out the murder and manslaughter charges. I was thinking more along the lines of Reckless endangerment or attempted murder. Further, there are also facts that would support possible civil rights charges and conspiracy charges.
Now as to rosecutors being able to indict a hamm sandwhich or english muffin this has long been the case and given the no true bill finding I question if under Maryland law the investigation report will become public.
One of the great injustices of the failure to prosecute Braga is that so many stae and local LEO's have been hung out to dry on far less evidence.
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
The actions do speak for themselves, however, given the lack of government accountability, speculation and anger is all one is left with.
As I said, that 'open season' thing cuts both ways. Unintended consequences.
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops. The rule of law is dead. Guess what follows.
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