Dalian Atkinson trial

[maidstonevillain]

Shortest prison sentence on record incoming.

I don't think so. I think manslaughter is correct verdict (just as I think it would have been in the Floyd case, at least under UK law parameters), but I think the sentence will be heavy to stop the whitewash arguments.

Here are the guidelines the judge has to follow

I'd say either High or Medium culpability so starting points of 12 or six years respectively, and up and down from there depending on the aggravating factors and mitigation.

Given he's a trained police officer, who used a weapon (a Taser is classed as such) and the aggravating circumstances of going against training and his responsible position, that potentially he was the senior party and his girlfriend was involved, I'd think he could find himself looking at quite a bit of time. No doubt his previously good record will go in his favour.

Starting point of 6 years I reckon, with good points (police officer with good record, possibly some threat to his safety) being slightly outweighed by bad points (kicks to head, obviously excessive use of taser, inconsistencies with evidence, and not pleading guilty)

[Hopadop]

Could be.  If the judge accepts he was in fear but used more force than reasonable in the circumstances.

Problem is, beyond the verdict itself you don't hear from the jury.  So defendant genuinely in fear but uses excessive force = manslaughter.  Defendant not in fear and reckless about causing serious injury (but not intending it) = also manslaughter.  It may well have been clearer for those in court, most importantly the judge.

Edit - the lack of a guilty plea isn't a factor - the guidelines are predicated on someone convicted after trial.  There's a reduction depending on the point at which someone pleads guilty.

The jury are still out for the co-defendant so everyone (including me) should bear that in mind.

[maidstonevillain]

Could be.  If the judge accepts he was in fear but used more force than reasonable in the circumstances.

Problem is, beyond the verdict itself you don't hear from the jury.  So defendant genuinely in fear but uses excessive force = manslaughter.  Defendant not in fear and reckless about causing serious injury (but not intending it) = also manslaughter.  It may well have been clearer for those in court, most importantly the judge.

Edit - the lack of a guilty plea isn't a factor - the guidelines are predicated on someone convicted after trial.  There's a reduction depending on the point at which someone pleads guilty.

The jury are still out for the co-defendant so everyone (including me) should bear that in mind.

[cdbearsfan]

Defund the police.

Is this a joke?

Erm... no? Why would I be joking?

[manic-road]

Defund the police.

Is this a joke?

Erm... no? Why would I be joking?

What would defunding the police achieve apart from lessening the probability that the police could protect yours and other families?

[cdbearsfan]

Other articles explain it better than I can so would just advise to Google the phrase "Defund the Police" if you want further information.

[lovejoy]

So you can't succinctly explain your opinion, we should just google it. OK.

Wiki: "Police abolitionists call for replacing existing police forces with other systems of public safety, like housing, employment, community health, education, and other programs."

Whilst there are specific examples of terrible policing practice, the fundamental diversion away of resources from the police to other programmes seems a bit of an  ill thought out ideology to me. Is there any evidence of this working successfully elsewhere?

[Drummond]

So you can't succinctly explain your opinion, we should just google it. OK.

Here, I did it for you.

"Although the phrase has been used in UK protests, “defund the police” is mainly a US call to action used by demonstrators to address systemic problems in the country's law enforcement, and calls for money to be spent on what communities across the US need, such as housing and education." i-news

from The Guardian

"What does it mean to ‘defund the police’?

US police have a history of violence against black people. Will it ever stop?

For years, community groups have advocated for defunding law enforcement – taking money away from police and prisons – and reinvesting those funds in services. The basic principle is that government budgets and “public safety” spending should prioritize housing, employment, community health, education and other vital programs, instead of police officers. Advocates argue that defunding is the best way forward since attempts to reform police practices over the last five years have failed, as evidenced by the brutal killing of George Floyd."

[cdbearsfan]

I wasn't in the mood for a row, I'm "busy" at work. You can't get much more succinct than a three word phrase, though.. It has been heavily featured in the news for over a year, so really isn't hard to look into.

Even the first few sentences on Wikipedia will do though, if you like.

""Defund the police" is a slogan that supports divesting funds from police departments and reallocating them to non-policing forms of public safety and community support, such as social services, youth services, housing, education, healthcare and other community resources."

Edit: thanks Drummond.

[brian green]

The police in Taiwan gave Axi Rose a coconut.  Where did the money for that come from?

[Andy Poole]

However long he gets, I don't imagine his time inside is going to be particularly easy, as an ex-police officer who killed somebody.

He'll be on the VP wing wiv da nonces. Innit. ( for those who watched Time )

[maidstonevillain]

The police in Taiwan gave Axi Rose a coconut.  Where did the money for that come from?

Who said they paid for it. They may have beaten up a Chinse street vendor and robbed him of his coconuts.

[Percy McCarthy]

However long he gets, I don't imagine his time inside is going to be particularly easy, as an ex-police officer who killed somebody.

He'll be on the VP wing wiv da nonces. Innit. ( for those who watched Time )

Not On Normal Courtyard Excercise.

[Chico Hamilton III]

However long he gets, I don't imagine his time inside is going to be particularly easy, as an ex-police officer who killed somebody.

He'll be on the VP wing wiv da nonces. Innit. ( for those who watched Time )

Not On Normal Courtyard Excercise.

Rule 43

[Toronto Villa]

One more example of why it remains a big deal in America

https://twitter.com/markmobility/status/1407685363754274823?s=21