And thus did the mole hill grow

Videotaper Of Alleged Beating Subpoenaed

The tourist who videotaped police beating a handcuffed youth in Inglewood, Calif., is being subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury Thursday.

Prosecutor Curt Livesay told local radio station KFIAM that Mitchell Crooks was ordered to bring the original videotape.

And he didn't sound very happy at the prospect. Indeed, Mr. Crooks doesn't sound too happy about the entire affair. Listening to him on the radio yesterday, he told about how he had been a past victim of police brutality, etc., and his predisposition toward the entire affair was quite clear. Namely, the police have no business hitting anyone anytime.

Love this little bit in the story: "The officer, Jeremy Morse, is white, and Jackson is black."

The media coverage keeps pointing this out, why I don't know. Even in the lawsuit and statements that I've heard, neither the kid nor his lawyer claim this as a racist event. However, the press feels differently....

Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn has called for the firing of Morse, whom Dorn accused of a felony assault. Dorn said there is no excuse for such force on a handcuffed suspect, regardless of what happened previously.

And obviously Inglewood needs a new mayor, because this one's an idiot. If he actually succeeds in getting Morse fired, he's just increased the cost to the city. How so? Because I'm willing to bet that Inglewood PD has a police officers association (union). That association probably belongs to PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California), which in turn automatically enrolls them in LDF (Legal Defense Fund). Under standard contract terms, the city of Inglewood is liable to pay all damages in any action brought against its officers. So, while someone may sue and specific officer for a specific "offense," the city pays. It's part of the deal.

That said, watching the tape -- and having only statements as to what happened beforehand -- the only problem I see is that punch to the face. While the pick up and "slam" may look harsh, it's also clear the kid is rigid as can be and not at all cooperative, even in cuffs.

That leaves the punch, and something else is obviously going on because other officers are also restraining the kid. It's not a beating, because he doesn't hit him any more. Rather, he grabs him.

But if the mayor is basing his "fire the dog" attitude on that punch, I can almost guarantee you that if he carries out that threat, then Officer Morse will sue, win, get reinstated with full back pay and punative award, and Inglewood will be out even more money. His actions may call for suspension without pay (a few days on the beach, so to speak), but dismissal...? Naw!

By the way, when is the press going to bring up the kid's record? Oh, doh, sorry, can't, this is California....