Former Minneapolis police officer found guilty in Justine Ruszczyk's death

[Calista241]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: CNN

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor was found guilty Tuesday of third-degree murder and manslaughter for fatally shooting Justine Ruszczyk while responding to her 911 call.

The jury of ten men and two women acquitted Noor on an additional count of second-degree murder in the killing.

Noor, a 33-year-old Somali-American, is believed to be the first police officer to be convicted of murder in Minnesota in recent memory, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said.

Noor sat quietly with his hands clasped as the verdict was read. He was immediately taken into custody and led of the courtroom in handcuffs.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/30/us/minneapolis-officer-noor-trial-verdict/index.html

[bitterross]

1. I can't help but wonder if his name were Jonny Smith if the verdict would be the same

Call me cynical, I am, but I wonder if the officer were a white man if he would have been acquitted? A dark man, with a Muslim-sounding name shot blonde, white, woman.

Just wondering out loud.

[secondwind]

2. Same here.

[Randomthought]

3. Wrong

I live 5 blocks from where Justine was killed, and have followed the case. Also our black friends have rallied with us over this police killing. It was a totally unjustified use of force by the police officer.

[bitterross]

4. I didn't say a thing about whether or not he was actually guilty

I think you misunderstand. White police officers are often acquitted for what most of us, and the whole community, believe are unjustified killings.

I think Mr. Noor would have had a far better chance of acquittal if he were "Mr. Nelson." I'm not speaking to his actual guilt or innocence. I'm speculating about how race might be a factor in a jury decision.

This is just about standard in the testimony of an LEO in this situation: "Noor testified that he feared for his partner's life as Ruszczyk approached their squad car in the dark, empty alley." 99.999% of the time that statement alone prevents the DA from filing charges or allows the jury a way to acquit. I just think that juries are more likely to acquit white police officers than dark-skinned ones with Muslim-sounding names. A white man, by default, will have the trust of juries and be given the benefit of the doubt.

This is the part that is NOT standard: But Hennepin County prosecutors said Noor overreacted and failed to properly assess the situation before firing a gunshot into Ruszczyk's abdomen.

Look at past cases. It's rare for the DA to even bring a case, much less vigorously prosecute one.

[oldsoftie]

7. Other white officers have recently been sent to jail. Slowly things are changing. Very slowly.

[Aussie105]

5. The use of deadly force at the slightest provocation needs to be addressed.

By all means pull your weapon, wave it about, then tell her to step back and show hands, but . . . .

He got scared, that is all.

I blame police training, everything in training is presented as a threat that needs a strong response.

The sex, age, or ethnic appearance of both the shooter and the victim aren't relevant. Unless you want to take the conversation into a different direction, and shout RACISM!

Minnesota police department now needs to backtrack through a long history of police-on-unarmed-civilian shooting deaths to set things right.

Moral of the story: In Minnesota, approach a police car slowly, from the front. Make sure you make eye contact before getting too close. Have empty hands in sight at all times. Speak quietly and politely. Remember that they are on edge, armed, and have been trained to kill at the slightest real or imagined provocation.

. . . . then again, better to walk away slowly.

But then again, the young lady was from Australia. It's ok here to walk up to a policeman and talk without some extreme reaction. Must be the training, I suppose.

There are no winners in this sad tale. And people will use it to meet their own agenda, I'm afraid.

[progree]

6. Duplicate

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142310172

[Omaha Steve]

8. Locking...duplicate

See the earlier post here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142310172