Free Republic

Columbia University professor and noted hip-hop scholar Marc Lamont Hill filed a federal civil rights lawsuit this week against the Philadelphia Police Department and Officer Richard DeCoatsworth, a cop hailed as a hero when he survived a gunshot blast to the face in 2007. [...] During the stop, Hill claims DeCoatsworth and his partner searched his car without a warrant or permission and that DeCoatsworth went through his pockets and dragged him out of the car by his left arm. DeCoatsworth then slammed Hill against his vehicle, pushed his fist into Hill's back and threatened to take him to jail,...

Apr. 29, 2009 Logan man killed in confrontation with police By Barbara Boyer Inquirer Staff Writer A 28-year-old year old Logan man was killed by police yesterday during a violent confrontation with officers, including the highway patrolman who two years ago suffered a horrific shotgun wound to the face and this year sat next to Michelle Obama during a presidential address.

Is it just me or has this been a particularly awful month in terms of horror stories about women being kidnapped, killed or forced to do depraved things against their will? Last thing we need is another one, but of course, we got it. A former Philadelphia police officer has been arrested for date raping -- possibly at gunpoint -- two 20-year-old women he met at a party. Richard DeCoatsworth, 27, was arrested and charged with rape, sexual assault, terroristic threats and related offenses after the two victims reported him to police. Here's how the sordid string of events went...

PHILADELPHIA -- Police said they have a suspected gunman in custody and are talking to two other persons of interest in the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer during a West Philadelphia traffic stop Monday morning. -snip- Struck with the blast from a sawed-off shotgun was 21-year-old Officer Richard Decoatsworth, a March 2007 graduate of the police academy and 16th District officer. He was rushed to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in a police car, listed in critical but stable condition and taken in for reconstructive surgery Monday afternoon. -snip- Antonio Coulter, 20, of West Philadelphia, was charged Tuesday...