|
I personally know of a case that took place in a small ,predominantly white town in central New Jersey in which a white police officer who had been stalking his estranged wife shot her Columbian lover in bed and claimed self defense against an indictment of second degree murder. The cop was six feet four and weighed over 200lbs and the victim was five four and about 140lbs. The jury voted to acquit the cop on all charges. Along with the racism and xenophobia that were factors in the case I've mentioned here, the tendency of too many Americans to never question authority that is so deeply ingrained in our national character can't be ruled out as a factor. As appalling as the NY case is, it's hardly unique. The location and circumstances guaranteed more publicity than dozens of other similar uses of excessive force that happen elsewhere in the US every year.
|