|
Intermix.org.uk is a website for the benefit
of mixed-race families, individuals and anyone who feels they have a multiracial
identity and want to join us. Our mission is to offer a view of the mixed-race experience, highlighting icons, film, books, poetry, parenting techniques, celebrities, real lives and much more. Our online forums are a great place to meet others, ask questions, voice your opinions and keep in touch. Sign up for our monthly newsletter and delve into our pages. Want to join in? Become an Intermix member to take part: |
Police Officers Go Free Once Again
As
code of silence derails trial.
Community leaders in the U.S city of Milwaukee, condemned
the acquittal of three white former police officers accused of beating
a mixed-race man.
Frank Jude was dragged out of his truck by about a dozen off-duty police
officers and viciously assaulted. When an on-duty police officer arrived
in response to a 911 call he proceeded to join in the fun (according
to the telephone transcript with the eye-witness, who was still on
her mobile with 911).
Frank suffered a concussion,
a broken nose and fractured sinus cavity, cuts in both ears, cuts and
swelling to his left eye, neck, head, face, legs and back, and a severely
sprained left hand, his left eye was swollen shut and continued to bleed
for 10 days.
An all-white jury deliberated for more than 26 hours before returning
not guilty verdicts on all but one of the charges against Jon Bartlett,
34, Daniel Masarik, 26, and Andrew Spengler, 26.
Bartlett and Masarik were acquitted of second-degree recklessly endangering
safety, and the jury also acquitted Masarik and Spengler of substantial
battery. The jury reached no verdict on a substantial battery charge
against Bartlett.
Many of the police officers on the force with the assailants refused
to cooperate with the investigation. Mayor Tom Barrett said, 'The lack
of cooperation from the officers involved who were on the scene that
night clearly affected the outcome of this case. Frank Jude was beaten
-- beaten badly -- and because of an unspoken code of silence, justice
for him in this trial has been derailed.'
Community leaders urged legislators to craft a law that would require
the firing of any officer who witnesses another officer commit a crime
and does not report it and called for an independent investigator to
look at claims of police misconduct.
The Milwaukee Police Accountability Coalition called for a board of elected
civilians to review complaints against police officers.
Milwaukee County's District Attorney says he plans to retry that charge.
While U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic says he'll also consider federal civil
rights charges in the beating.
Tuesday morning more than 1,000 Milwaukeeans
of all races marched in protest against the not guilty verdict.
Mayor Tom Barrett said he was shocked by the acquittals, and said it was
time the state law that allows fired Milwaukee police officers to continue
to receive pay while appealing their dismissal is changed.
'There are many that feel that justice died on Friday in Milwaukee. But
it's not over yet. We must persevere,' the mayor said.
Source
