Inquest jury says Williams didn't have time to drop knife, wasn't imminent threat

[uppityperson]

They finished the inquest, here is link to my continuing topic here in WA. I wanted to make sure those interested knew this was finished, for now. I'll keep watching and post when something else happens.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=184&topic_id=19115&mesg_id=19168

[uppityperson]

1. Slain carver's family asks that officer be charged

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014002351_apwaseattlepoliceshooting.html

Relatives of a woodcarver fatally shot by a Seattle police officer have met with King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, asking him to charge the officer in the death of John T. Williams.

That private meeting took place Friday in Seattle. A spokesman for the John T. Williams Organizing Committee then read aloud a letter the family members delivered to Satterberg.

On Thursday, a coroner's inquest jury returned its findings in the Aug. 30 shooting, with just one of its eight members saying the carver posed any threat. Four jurors said Williams did not pose a threat and three others said they didn't know.

The jury was not asked to decide whether Officer Ian Birk committed any wrongdoing.

Evidence from the inquest will be forwarded to Satterberg to determine whether Birk should be charged. A decision is expected by mid-February.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2014000924_edit22inquest.html

[uppityperson]

2. More on the hearing, from The Stranger. Good lord. what an asshole

The more I read, the more incredible it is. There is testimony from a witness walking ahead of Williams who heard the "hey hey hey" but didn't turn to see since didn't want to be a victim of a random assault, and testimony by Birk to whom having a closed pocket knife was as dangerous as an open one since he might have gotten his ears cut off. Seriously? Seriously. "For his part, it's unclear if Williams had time to react. Williams couldn't get more than 21 feet away from the officer who ran up to him, and he was considered a threat simply for having a closed legal knife."

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/no-way-out/Content?oid=6381399

(clip)
Witness accounts of what happened: Over a dozen witnesses to the shooting testified, but none reported seeing Williams act aggressively toward Birk or anyone else. "He was just walking downtown," said Thomas Sirgedas, who saw the shooting while walking to catch his bus home. "His pace never changed." Witnesses also testified (and as audio from the incident corroborates) that Birk never identified himself as a cop. "I didn't know it was a police officer and I didn't want to turn around and become the target of a random shooting," said Nancy Pushman, who was walking ahead of Williams on the block where he was shot. No witnesses reported seeing a knife in Williams's hand. Furthermore, no open knives were found near Williams's body—just two closed folding knives, both considered legal to carry according to city law.
(clip)

You could say <"Put the knife down"> three times but you couldn't add "Or I'll shoot"?
The concern was basically immediate, and I needed to respond as fast as possible.
Birk testified that he fired on Williams because he was 9.5 feet away. Police officers are trained to keep 21 feet between themselves and suspects armed with knives (or other sharp-edged objects), according to national police standards adopted by the SPD. However, by running up to Williams, Birk was the one who closed the distance to less than 21 feet.
(clip)
Williams wasn't facing Birk when shot. Another exchange:
Ford: You testified that Mr. Williams was staring right at you ?
Birk: That's what I recollect, yes, sir.
Do you know why, then, the bullet passed through the right cheek and out his left cheek?
Simply holding a closed knife was reason to shoot. Ford questions Officer William Collins, a 21-year SPD veteran:

Ford: Is a closed knife a similar threat to an open knife?
Collins: Absolutely. It's a major threat. To me, it's just as big as an open knife.
A closed knife is grounds for using a firearm?
I believe so... it can be opened in an instant. You can get your ears cut off and be stabbed. We don't get paid enough to be hurt....(more)

[tylerinthe206]

3. like....duh! u only have to watch the video to see that.....

[eridani]

4. Dept of Justice hearings to be held

The Department Of Justice will be holding an open house At POCAAN, People of Color Against Aids Network on the investigation of the Seattle Police Department.

They would like for anyone interested in testifying against or for, the Seattle Police Department to come and share their thoughts and concerns regarding any actions you feel needs to be addressed. They will be available from 9am to 5pm. POCAAN is located at1609 – 19th Avenue on the corner of 19th and E. Pine, their phone number is [phone].