Private autopsy claims Vonderrit Myers shot while fleeing

[branford]

85. Forensic evidence can certainly be challenged.

It can be disputed, or placed in different contexts. However, the evidence doesn't "lie." The people who collect and interpret it are another matter entirely.

Similarly, witnesses are evaluated all the time. Some are more reliable than others for a variety of reasons. For instance, testimony from a mother that her son is innocent rarely carries much weight when presented with countervailing facts.

I'm a trial attorney, I deal with these nuances and issues all the time in motions and in court.

As to your particular concerns:

First, the race of any witness is entirely irrelevant, for good or ill.

Second, in a criminal context, witnesses are very unreliable, regardless of whether they are honest and acting in good faith. That is why forensic evidence is so important. It not only independently provides relevant, often dispositive information, it assists in evaluating the credibility of witnesses.

Third, most forensic evidence is capable of being independently tested. For instance, that is why the two released autopsies by both the family and state in the Brown case were remarkably similar despite the antagonism between the parties.

Fourth, guilt or innocence in a particular criminal matter is entirely dependent of the facts of the relevant incident, not on wider societal issues like racism or social justice. The defendant, whether a police officer or minority youth, is guilty or not based on their own actions, not imputed due to association or race.

Fifth, everyone, including the police, are innocent until proven guilty. It you allege police malfeasance, no less actual guilt, it is incumbent on you (or the State) to provide actual evidence in support of the allegations to render it more than an opinion.

Sixth, no one should form firm opinions until all evidence is released. It is natural to have strong opinions, even biases, but they must yield when the evidence no longer supports a viewpoint or narrative.

I await the release of all the pertinent information and witnesses in the Myers matter. What has been released appears to corroborate the officer's account, particularly the presence of the gun rather than a "sandwich." As new and reliable information becomes available, perceptions, including my own, of the officer's guilt or innocence may certainly change.