Police
Lawyers for cop who killed Philando Castile, blames no other person than … Philando Castile
The lawyers for the Minnesota police officer who shot and killed Philando Castile say Castile was negligent and responsible for his own death.
The lawyers are doing as they prepare for the defense for Jeronimo Yanez, the Minnesota cop who shot and killed Philando Castile after a routine traffic stop.
The attorney’s on Thursday called on a judge to dismiss manslaughter and other charges against their client, arguing Castile was “stoned” and his actions contributed to his death.
The push for dismissal of charges against St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez comes as the Justice Department on Thursday detailed its plans to conduct an extensive review of the police department, which has faced nationwide scrutiny following the very controversial shooting in July.
Yanez was charged last month with second-degree manslaughter and two counts of dangerous discharge of a firearm for the fatal shooting of Philando Castile following a traffic stop. The aftermath of the shooting was broadcasted on Facebook Live by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, who along with her daughter were passengers in the vehicle.
But Yanez’s attorneys on Thursday filed a motion to dismiss the manslaughter charge, arguing that Castile’s actions during the July altercation contributed to his death.
“The status of being stoned (in an acute and chronic sense) explains why Mr. Castile 1) did not follow the repeated directions of Officer Yanez; 2) stared straight ahead and avoided eye-contact; 3) never mentioned that he had a carry permit, but instead said he had a gun; and 4) did not show his hands,” according to a memo supporting the motion to dismiss.
Yes, you’ve read it correctly. Although officer Jeronimo Yanez was found negligent in his actions, prompting his removal from the force and the charges, it is still the victim’s fault for being murdered.
“He should not even have been driving while under the influence. He should have showed his hands. He should not have reached for the handgun,” attorney Earl Gray said.
But there is one problem, yes Philando Castile was under the influence of marijuana, but Philando Castile was not driving. Here we go with the character assassination because someone who was legally able to carry a weapon was under the influence of “marijuana”, a drug that is almost legal nationwide. To add insult to injury, Philando Castile was pulled over for having a wide nose, audibly heard by Yanez, yet his lawyers are pushing for the “weed in the system” character assassination.
Seriously?
Castile’s family has claimed he was profiled because of his race, and his death renewed concerns about how law enforcement officers interact with Black people.
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