Seattle cop won't face hate-crime charge for kicking Latino man

[Newsjock]

Source: Seattle Times

No felony charge of malicious harassment will be brought against a Seattle police officer who sparked a public outcry after he kicked a prone Latino man in April and used ethnically inflammatory language, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

But the Seattle City Attorney's Office plans to review the Seattle Police Department's investigative file on the case to determine if any misdemeanor charges are warranted against Detective Shandy Cobane, spokeswoman Kimberly Mills said shortly after the announcement.

The King County Prosecutor's Office, in a written statement, said Cobane used "patently offensive language" but will not be charged with malicious harassment under the state's so-called "hate crime" law because prosecutors found he did not intentionally target or threaten the man because of his race or national origin. Prosecutors reached their decision after reviewing the Seattle police investigation of Cobane.

... Cobane, 45, who was working as a gang detective, drew condemnation from civil-rights and minority organizations after he was captured on videotape telling the Latino man he was going to "beat the (expletive) Mexican piss out of you, homey. You feel me?"

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012778570_shandy02m.html

[martymar64]

1. Now they're kicking Latinos, next it could be you.

This just makes it all white.

[rhett o rick]

2. The police are out of control. Killing people that are not dangerous. They are never prosecuted.

They are investigated by their fellow officers and always exonerated.

[Zephie]

3. They're seriously saying that's not racist?

That's some messed up bull. I really can't stand the way cops band together to cover for intentional and obvious racism. I've lost count on how many terrible things the cops have done this year to minorities.

[skoalyman]

4. its the new way, up is etc. you get it

:argh: slippery slope

[Chulanowa]

7. Blasting a car full of unarmed people with 29 rounds is "self defense" too

Just another gang.

[depakid]

5. One would think with all the police shootings up that way

that the agencies would be going out of their way to prevent and deter this sort of thing and hold officers accountable.

[Bette Noir]

6. Well, that sucks. I expect it in LA, but I thought the Northwest was more civilized.

The hometown newspaper in the little Oregon town were I spend my summers (Astoria!) published an editorial a couple of years ago, extending a welcome to the Latinos who were beginning to move in. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.