Private autopsy claims Vonderrit Myers shot while fleeing

[branford]

119. The private autopsy offers little other than proof Myers died from gunshot wounds.

I think the point of its release was to demonstrate that Myers may have been fleeing, and therefore make him more sympathetic. I would be more impressed with the report if it offered at least some clear support to the family's execution theory, but the expert appeared very careful not to get embroiled in that allegation. Nevertheless, if Myers fired at the officer, the officer was fully entitled to shoot at Myers even while running away as he would be considered a demonstrable and dangerous threat to the community.

I unquestionably agree that an officer should always vocally and clearly announce his or her presence. Despite that good advice, Myers would still not be entitled to fire upon the officer given the known circumstances, and that's likely why the family is maintaining he wasn't armed at all.

I assume the investigation is still ongoing, and more evidence needs to be released. However, if our goal is to eliminate racial disparities in the criminal justice system, prudence would dictate that our examples of racial bias be clear and unequivocal. The Myers shooting thus far appears to strongly favor the police account, and if so, use of it by activists weakens their overall credibility on the issue.