Antone's Nightclub
We Need to See 'Actual' Justice
RECEIVED Tue., July 12, 2005
Dear Editor:
To expound on Michael King's assessment [“Point Austin,” News, July 1] that APD reports on the Daniel Rocha shooting “thus far ring hollow”: The coroner's report and witnesses cite Rocha was face down when shot as he had cuts and scrapes on his face and upper chest – evidence you'd have to dismiss if you were to believe APD's assertion that Schroeder shot Rocha while “leaning over” Officer Doyle. What prevented Doyle from using his Taser if only his leg was hurt (bruised, not broken, as APD stated at first)? How did the other Taser, a $1,000 piece of high-grade plastic, get smashed to pieces? Hopefully the grand jury ruling next week and open records requests that the ACLU-Central Texas chapter put in recently will reveal more.
The coroner's report also said that Rocha had no trace of drugs or alcohol in his system. This fact is largely being ignored by media which serves to back APD (and racist bloggers) in insinuations that Rocha deserved his fate.
Yes, “resisting arrest” is an offense (albeit a subjective one that apparently doesn't require any physical resistance), but we don't know if Rocha actually did resist. Would a person cry out in fear, “I'm unarmed!” several times while also simultaneously aggressively attacking two officers? As for the third person who ran away – well, if I were a young male of color who had no faith in the system which seemingly seeks to condemn me, I might see this option (which surely has harsh consequences) as preferable to facing what Rocha did. We don't know the whole story, and because of APD incompetence or outright lying, we never will.
I hope we will see actual justice for Rocha, as well as for Jesse Owens, Sophia King, and the many other victims of APD's unchecked profiling and brutality. But justice should include a complete rehauling of APD procedures regarding use of force, profiling, accountability (including the police monitor's office), and especially should include the resignation of Chief Stan Knee, who long ago lost the public's trust on these matters.
No unarmed person should be met with lethal force – no matter what the circumstances – and the Tasers that were supposed to prevent these tragedies are being used by APD when they shouldn't (abusively), but not when they actually can save a life!
To expound on Michael King's assessment [“Point Austin,” News, July 1] that APD reports on the Daniel Rocha shooting “thus far ring hollow”: The coroner's report and witnesses cite Rocha was face down when shot as he had cuts and scrapes on his face and upper chest – evidence you'd have to dismiss if you were to believe APD's assertion that Schroeder shot Rocha while “leaning over” Officer Doyle. What prevented Doyle from using his Taser if only his leg was hurt (bruised, not broken, as APD stated at first)? How did the other Taser, a $1,000 piece of high-grade plastic, get smashed to pieces? Hopefully the grand jury ruling next week and open records requests that the ACLU-Central Texas chapter put in recently will reveal more.
The coroner's report also said that Rocha had no trace of drugs or alcohol in his system. This fact is largely being ignored by media which serves to back APD (and racist bloggers) in insinuations that Rocha deserved his fate.
Yes, “resisting arrest” is an offense (albeit a subjective one that apparently doesn't require any physical resistance), but we don't know if Rocha actually did resist. Would a person cry out in fear, “I'm unarmed!” several times while also simultaneously aggressively attacking two officers? As for the third person who ran away – well, if I were a young male of color who had no faith in the system which seemingly seeks to condemn me, I might see this option (which surely has harsh consequences) as preferable to facing what Rocha did. We don't know the whole story, and because of APD incompetence or outright lying, we never will.
I hope we will see actual justice for Rocha, as well as for Jesse Owens, Sophia King, and the many other victims of APD's unchecked profiling and brutality. But justice should include a complete rehauling of APD procedures regarding use of force, profiling, accountability (including the police monitor's office), and especially should include the resignation of Chief Stan Knee, who long ago lost the public's trust on these matters.
No unarmed person should be met with lethal force – no matter what the circumstances – and the Tasers that were supposed to prevent these tragedies are being used by APD when they shouldn't (abusively), but not when they actually can save a life!
Rest in peace Daniel,
Debbie Russell
Debbie Russell