Joel,
You wrote : 1. "We can argue about whether the apparent firing of a bullet
that missed its target and struck the window at the 5:35 mark was justified
or not,in view of the events that led up to this and Finicum's very rapid
exit from the vehicle." Followed immediately by 2. "But the suggestion
that this off-target projectile contributed to his actions that led
directly to his death seems to be a red herring."
You're right. We can indeed argue about point 1. and after as many emails
as have been exchanged on this whole thing it's pretty apparent that I
think that that one particular shot Was Not justified. I suspect you feel
differently. At this point, I don't care; we're both entitled to our
opinions. To be very clear, I never, in all these emails, suggested
that Finicum's subsequent actions were in any way influenced by that one
shot... so no red herring emanating from this keyboard.
The entire thrust of all the emails I have written inre involved How law
enforcement comported themselves in light of the spate of violent deaths at
the hands of law enforcement throughout the country. (It is reassuring to
learn that the vast majority of these elite personnel carried out their
duties and responsibilities with expected professionalism.) I have also
repeatedly said that I found Finicum a reprehensible person and that he
alone was responsible for having himself killed. In other words, it's not
an either/or.
That'll be a wrap on this issue for my part.
Tom McNamara (or John Smith or Whoever I am)
On Fri, Mar 11, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
P.S. If you watch the next few seconds from 5:35 through 5:39 of the
video, you can see that Finicum shows no reaction to the impact of that
projectile. He doesn't turn his head to glance back at the window or the
direction from which this shot was fired, not even for an instant. He
continues running out into the snow in a continuous motion, at this
point clearly raising his hands high as if to surrender.
Then around 5:40, as the two officers are approaching, he starts
reaching into his jacket once, then again.
That's the sequence of actions that resulted in Finicum's death. It is
sad and unfortunate, but there is no way to put the blame on anything or
anyone but Finicum's own erratic actions.
We can argue about whether the apparent firing of a bullet that missed
its target and struck the window at the 5:35 mark was justified or not,
in view of the events that led up to this and Finicum's very rapid exit
from the vehicle. But the suggestion that this off-target projectile
contributed to his actions that led directly to his death seems to be a
red herring.
The FBI misconduct that allegedly took place afterwards (removing shell
casings and either not volunteering information, or outright hiding that
information) is a whole 'nuther matter that should be thoroughly
investigated, with consequences if those accused of such actions are
found to be guilty of misconduct or perjury.
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
