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forestrox t1_j61yv9p wrote

Reply to comment by mohammedibnakar in Jury acquits Pawtucket police officer in shooting of teen driver by skippyspk

Second degree murder. There needs to be a harsher category when the people entrusted with state sanctioned violence commit these crimes. They must be held to a higher standard to build back and maintain public trust.

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FlimFlamMagoo728 t1_j64c42w wrote

Second degree murder just means that there isn't premeditation. Which is the appropriate charge in this case - it would take proof that these guys all went out there with the intention of doing this. It is the right charge, and overcharging leads to acquittals.

I absolutely agree that there should be an added level of penalty for cops that break the law though.

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forestrox t1_j64jo2k wrote

Premeditation can be established within seconds of the encounter if the police had an opportunity to de-escalate. The prosecution may be using second degree for an easier conviction. It’ll definitely be interesting to see what the video shows of the incident. Either way I am glad the chief is being proactive on this case. Change is slow but it’s happening. Body cams are finally validating what many minorities have long said about police encounters.

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FlimFlamMagoo728 t1_j64kw9f wrote

Just because it can be established doesn’t mean it will be… idk I think Second is the right charge if the goal is to actually convict.

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forestrox t1_j64m96f wrote

For sure, I agree. We need to see more convictions in these cases. It’s eroding public trust in law enforcement at this point being so cliche that they rarely face consequences.

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Bedbouncer t1_j6dhdpw wrote

>Premeditation can be established within seconds of the encounter if the police had an opportunity to de-escalate.

Under this definition, can you define a murder that would qualify as without premeditation?

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forestrox t1_j6duy65 wrote

If I recall those usually fall under Felony Murder and are crimes of passion, or deaths caused by indirect action.

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