Very timely. Killed at Home: Legal Battle Reopened over 2011 Police Shooting of black ex marine
Killed at Home: Legal Battle Reopened over 2011 Police Shooting of Elderly Black Ex-Marine in NY
We look at a major development in the case of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a Black man killed in his own apartment in White Plains, New York, during a police confrontation in 2011, after he accidentally triggered his medical alert pendant. On Monday, the 2nd Circuit of Appeals ruled a federal judge was wrong to dismiss parts of a lawsuit against the police for excessive use of force. “My family and I are extremely overjoyed that the original ruling was vacated,” says Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. “I think that people are now coming together, and they’re saying that extrajudicial killings and summary executions of unarmed Black men, women and children is no longer going to be tolerated.” We also speak with the family’s attorney. “Most people would be able to agree that when you’re at home sleeping and you haven’t committed any crime, that you wouldn’t expect that the police are going to break your door down and kill you — in particular if they’re responding for a medical call where you think that they’re there to help you,” says Mayo Bartlett.
I read the transcript- I can't watch the video or listen to the audio. If you can stomach it, please read the transcript.
LIFEAID OPERATOR: This is your help center for LifeAid, Mr. Chamberlain. Do you need help?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: Yes, this is an emergency! I have the White Plains Police Department banging on my door, and I did not call them, and I am not sick!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Everything’s all right, sir?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: No, it’s not all right! I need help! The White Plains Police Department are banging on my door!
AMY GOODMAN: After Kenneth Chamberlain told LifeAid he was OK but afraid of the police at the door, the LifeAid operator attempted to cancel the call for police assistance. Chamberlain went on to tell the LifeAid operator that the police had drawn their guns and were attempting to break down his door. Again, listen closely.
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Officers, this is LifeAid. Are you inside Mr. Chamberlain’s home?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: They’re breaking in my door! They’re breaking in my door!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Mr. Chamberlain, I heard you say they’re breaking in your door. Are you OK?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: My door.
LIFEAID OPERATOR: Mr. Chamberlain, are you OK?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m fine!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: OK. You pressed your medical button. That’s why the officers are there. Can you go to the door and speak to them?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m not opening up the door. They’ve got their guns out! They have their guns out!
LIFEAID OPERATOR: OK. Do you have weapon, Mr. Chamberlain?
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I [inaudible] weapons. I am just protecting myself.
LIFEAID OPERATOR: OK. They’re not there to hurt you. I’m here on the line.
POLICE OFFICER: Mr. Chamberlain, we’re not here to help — hurt you. We’re here to give you a hand, help you out.
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m OK! I told you I was OK! [inaudible] I’m OK! I’m fine! Leave me alone! I’m fine!
AMY GOODMAN: “Leave me alone,” says Kenneth Chamberlain. One of the officers, Stephen Hart, was accused of hurling a racial slur, the N-word, at Chamberlain during the incident. Listen carefully to this audio, released by the White Plains Police Department. You can hear the Officer Hart banging on Chamberlain’s window. Chamberlain repeatedly says, “Don’t do that. I’m OK.” The officer responds, yes, by using the N-word. Listen closely.
OFFICER STEPHEN HART: Mr. Chamberlain!
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: Don’t do that. Don’t do that, officer. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Don’t do that. Do not do that! I’m telling you I’m OK!
OFFICER STEPHEN HART: I don’t give a [bleep], nigger!
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m telling you I’m OK!
OFFICER STEPHEN HART: [inaudible]
KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN SR.: I’m telling you I’m OK.
AMY GOODMAN: A video camera on the police Taser gun recorded the next sequence. You can hear Kenneth Chamberlain say the police have stun guns and shotguns. He then predicts the police will kill him. Again, a warning: This contains disturbing footage.
[link:https://www.democracynow.org/2020/6/3/kenneth_chamberlain_sr_2011_police_killing|
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