Private autopsy claims Vonderrit Myers shot while fleeing

[branford]

137. You claim to support due process, but then appear to dismiss any evidence

any evidence that supports the officer's account of that evening based on generalizations about police and your own distrust.

You are certainly free to have doubts, and wanting to see an end to disparities in the criminal justice system is certainly a worthwhile goal. However, that does not mean every poor outcome between a white police office and a minority youth is the result of racism or that the officer was at fault, or that uncomfortable evidence can be ignored.

As I've stated repeatedly, the Myers investigation is still ongoing. I've simply noted that everyone is presumed innocent, and the actual physical and forensic evidence thus far available strongly disputes the family's claim that Myers was unarmed and corroborates the officer's account of what happened. A recovered gun, shell casings, bullets, and GSR on Myers hands, shirt, front and back pockets and waistband, cannot be wished away or dismissed.

If the family claims that Myers was executed, a blunt allegation of cold blooded murder, they cannot rely upon vague accusations. If there is a reliable witness that supports such a claim, they should be identified. As a practical matter, I would also be curious as to a motive why the officer would execute Myers, such as any prior contact between the officer and Myers or previous substantiated claims against the officer of racial animus or unnecessary force.

I intentionally noted Myers weapons and resisting arrest charges and bail conditions separately from the direct evidence, and never stated or implied that it would justify an execution. However, it undoubtedly provides relevant context. Myers was supposed to be under house arrest, and not out that evening "buying a sandwich" with his friends. The criminal charges also help explain, although not necessarily prove, Myers possessed illegal weapons and reacts poorly to legitimate detention and questioning. His fleeing and other allegedly poor choices can also be explained by his fear of the legal consequences of another arrest or investigation by the officer.

The fact that Myers was shot in the back appear immaterial in these particular circumstances. This fact is entirely consistent with the officers account of that evening. If Myers fired on the officer, the officer was entitled to stop such a dangerous threat, even if the assailant was fleeing. Absent obvious threats to innocent bystanders, that appears to be basic police procedure, and certainly not evidence of criminality.

Criticizing the number of bullets fired by the officer also appears to be a red herring. Many police firearms like the Glock 17 and S&W MP9 hold 15+ rounds in the magazine, and it is not only uncommon, but often expected, that in the heat of a life or death exchange of gunfire, for an officer (or anyone else) to completely empty their magazine in order to neutralize the threat. This can literally be accomplished withing a couple of seconds, and the shooter generally does not realize that they've done so. I've heard no countervailing allegations such as the officer reloading his weapon, no less after Myers was neutralized, and such information can be easily ascertained with forensic evidence.