Officer Is Struck by S.U.V. Driven by a Federal Judge, the Police Say

[deminks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/nyregion/20hit.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1161317369-vK9VartZY9O4vmxR2Z+8YQ&oref=slogin

A New Haven police officer who has devoted his career to working with local children remained in critical condition yesterday after being struck while directing traffic by a sport utility vehicle driven by a federal appeals court judge, the police said.

The officer, Dan Picagli, suffered several fractures and a life-threatening head injury when he was hit about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday while on an overtime shift directing traffic on a dark, rainy section of Chapel Street, said Bonnie Winchester, a spokeswoman for the New Haven Police Department.

Ms. Winchester said the vehicle that struck him was driven by Judge John M. Walker Jr., a senior judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. Judge Walker is a cousin of former President George Bush.

Officer Picagli, 38, remained under the care of doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Ms. Winchester said. He was standing on a dimly lighted stretch of Chapel Street in a black police raincoat and a yellow reflective vest when Judge Walker’s black Ford Escape sport utility vehicle struck him.

[Erika]

1. Maybe he'll get the same treatment as Laura Bush

whose traffic violation also resulted in death. No tickets, nothing.

[aquart]

2. George's cousin??????????????

And how did he get his job?

[AlCzervik]

3. thats the judge that reversed the verdict for the cops that assaulted

Abner Louima. Abner Louima was also mocked by Sean Hannity and Bernie Kerik, apparently sodomy with objects is hilarious.

[Judi Lynn]

14. Thanks for the background. Whatever could be said about him beyond

that information is inconsequential. Permanently. He'll never be able to top that, god willing.

Lovely family:

Walker is married with a daughter and three stepsons. He is the son of Dr. John Mercer Walker, Sr. and Elsie Louise Mead. His uncle is George Herbert Walker, Jr., cofounder of the New York Mets. He is the cousin of U.S. President George H.W. Bush, with a common grandfather, George Herbert Walker, and a once-removed first cousin of U.S. President George W. Bush.
(snip)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Walker,_Jr.

[heliarc]

15. Let's be fair...

There is a cop (Jim Volpe) who is serving 30 years for the crime he committed and he damn well better be. Walker reversed the case against Schwarz... a case that presented significant reasonable doubt according to the transcripts and the Village Voice.

It's not clear to me that this guy is a bastard for his role in the Louima trials. But I'm happy to hear more if others have more information about Schwarz and the rest of the trial.

[heliarc]

16. He reversed the case against Volpe?

Or is Volpe still serving time... Who are the "cops" plural that had their cases reversed by Walker? Links?

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

4. He's actually

a superb judge. Even though he was appointed by Reagan and Bush I, he is no conservative ideologue. he is one of the best judge's on his court.

[Erika]

7. Huh?

It's good that Americans see how tied the W family is to the Court.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

17. Just because

Someone was once a family friend of the Bush family does not mean that they are a bad judge. Judge Walker is a great judge, and is not a conservative ideologue. In fact, he is really not even a conservative judge. Remember, Bush I nominated David Souter as well.

[Kagemusha]

5. The officers at the scene determined, no need for an alcohol test

Why is it I read these words and immediately the hairs stick up on the back of my neck?

A powerful federal district court judge, and the officers *at the scene* determine, *on their own*, that there's no need for such a thing? Or that such a thing shouldn't be done just because?

And let's say it was their independent uh, judgment, the fact this is a powerful district court judge, played no role in their thinking whatsoever?

Just saying.

[Erika]

8. Kind of like Cheney and the canned hunt

Although beer cans were found, there was no investigation.

[MADem]

6. That affinity for the sauce runs in the family, apparently

But see, it's the cop's fault.

The road was 'dimly lighted' and his raincoat was BLACK, you see.

Never mind that reflective vest....

and this is a MIND BLOWER:

The judge stopped immediately after the accident, Ms. Winchester said, and officers at the scene determined that there was no reason to administer a field alcohol and drug test.

[Erika]

9. W was born in New Haven

Surprise they would not suspect his cousin of wrong doing?

[DURHAM D]

10. What a stupid journalist. If he is a cousin to former Pres. Bush

that makes him a cousin of current Pres. Bush.

[truthisfreedom]

11. not if babs was banging the milkman.

i'm just sayin'.

[spag68]

12. I might have nightmares over your post.

[struggle4progress]

13. King George I of Crony Island appointed his cousin to the Second Circuit

I wonder if the Judge was DUI.