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Cop kills 15 year old, charges friend with the murder

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Bob_Loblaw
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 38
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/brandon-ross-charged-with_n_868289.html

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a Chicago police officer fatally shot his 15-year-old friend Wednesday on the South Side.

Brandon Ross and his friend Tatioun Williams allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint in the 7000 block of South Cregier Avenue Wednesday evening, and were confronted by police officers a short time later, the Chicago Tribune reports.

When the officers told the teens to stop, Williams, who was holding the gun, allegedly turned in the officer's direction, Fox Chicago reports. Fearing for her life, the officer shot the 15-year-old, killing him.

"They could have taken him to jail, they could have done anything but taken his life," Williams' mother told the Tribune Thursday.

Under state law, police can charge someone with murder when an accomplice is killed during the commission of a crime. Even though Ross didn't pull the trigger, he was charged as an adult with murder and armed robbery. He was ordered held on $900,000 bail Friday.

The teens allegedly took a wallet and iPod from a 27-year-old man before the shooting.

Jun 8 2011 4:15PM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18227 - Karma: 12,372

Wow. In my opinion that is pretty messed up.

inb4 fuck da police

Jun 8 2011 4:17PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
jeeeez. shitstorm incoming
Jun 8 2011 4:18PM
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garret.
Posts: 1173 - Karma: 585
fuck da police
Jun 8 2011 4:19PM
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VT_FLO
Posts: 3806 - Karma: 147
kid shouldn't get murder. his friend was the one who pulled the gun
Jun 8 2011 4:19PM
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eldridge
Posts: 2272 - Karma: 47
Jesus christ what is this a police state?

fuckign sad to hear these stories like every month or more.
Jun 8 2011 4:20PM
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Davin
Posts: 669 - Karma: 354
Yeah its a pretty fucked up law, but you only know names of the kids. It was most likely some kids from the ghetto of the city. Dont really feel that horrible. Kid pulled a gun on the cop=kids fault. Murder should not have been charged on the accomplice though.
Jun 8 2011 4:21PM
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mattytru
Posts: 2788 - Karma: 5,618
jesus fuck that, read the comments

so many people support the ruling
Jun 8 2011 4:21PM
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DOSE.
Posts: 1671 - Karma: 82
.
Jun 8 2011 4:23PM
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Christian[MN]
Posts: 759 - Karma: 363
A cop shot and killed a kid in my hometown this past winter.
But the kid did charge the cop with a baseball bat.
It was still sad.
Jun 8 2011 4:26PM
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theJones
Posts: 676 - Karma: 158
pull a gun on a cop and you are asking for trouble.

don't understand how the other kid gets murder though
Jun 8 2011 4:26PM
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_MNice_
Posts: 558 - Karma: 52
Thats fucking bullshit. I hate cops. They can get away with anything because they are the law. It is so fucking stupid.
Jun 8 2011 4:33PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
Let's try this to avoid another long thread with lots of ignorance. We do not know, and will never know, the exact circumstances that led to the shooting of the kid. The cop could have murdered him in cold blood and planted the gun, the kid could have been taking aim, or anything inbetween. The thing we can all recognize is that the law allowing the 16 year old alleged accomplice to be charged with murder is beyond fucking stupid. I can't see any other reason for the law other than a get out of trouble free card for cops after killing someone.
Jun 8 2011 4:36PM
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Davin
Posts: 669 - Karma: 354
let us remember that cops do not create laws, they enforce
Jun 8 2011 4:38PM
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eldridge
Posts: 2272 - Karma: 47
well put.
Jun 8 2011 4:38PM
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simplesteezy
Posts: 99 - Karma: 10
That is a super shitty circumstance for both sides, that kid should not have been shot but fuck man, if that cop thought she was in enough danger than she has an easy fix for that... But its a woman so who knows if she just got scared and her finger twitched. The kid should not be tried as an adult but as a minor and think of another punishment.
Jun 8 2011 4:39PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
i agree with you except for your last sentence.


The reason for the law is to discourage other fucking idiots from attempting to rob people at gunpoint or what have you. The reason for the law is basically to say, "hey if you're going to go out there and commit a felony and put innocent people's lives at risk, even if you aren't the one holding the weapon - you are guilty by association and as a result of your actions and your taking part in a potential deadly situation....should something bad happen, you're going to be charged for it"

i don't agree he should be charged with murder, that seems like a wild stretch to me, but he should certainly pay the price for being part of an armed robbery.
Jun 8 2011 4:42PM
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Jeffmnicholas
Posts: 821 - Karma: 42
The kid should absolutely not be charged with murder, but as fucked up as the whole situation is the cop made the right decision to pull the trigger. If someone points a gun at you intending to shoot, no matter what age they are, you have to defend yourself
Jun 8 2011 4:44PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
Maybe so. That would make it less evil, but no less asinine.
Jun 8 2011 4:50PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
yeah i mean i would guess an appeal would be in order.

i don't see how the law would allow an accomplice to simply be accused of a crime that the accomplice literally had no real part in.


I could see the accomplice being charged with full on armed robbery even if he wasn't holding the gun, i'd say that's still fair and within the arm of the law, but that's all.
Jun 8 2011 4:51PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
for sure. though trying a 16 year old kid as an adult doesn't seem right to me, considering that the part of the brain that judges the long term consequences of short term actions being one of the last parts to develop fully (around the age of 20).
Jun 8 2011 4:57PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I think the cop was justified in shooting the 15 year old, assuming the story happened as it was written. You don't let someone point a gun at you without knowing if they are going to shoot, and leave them standing. The cop was doing his job. However, I disagree with charging the other kid with murder. There are many other charges that he could be slapped with, but it's quite clear he did not murder his friend.
Jun 8 2011 5:01PM
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Davy.Crockett
Posts: 5373 - Karma: 324
this
Jun 8 2011 5:02PM
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forum10
Posts: 421 - Karma: 2
it's how the laws are written you fucking dumb asses. the cops have to do that especially in such a high profile event. there's a difference between what you get charged with and what the judge/jury sentences you to. charges get dropped down all the fucking time and you're all getting worked up like this is any different.

and those kids are fucking morons.
Jun 8 2011 5:06PM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
So let me get this straight two people rob a bank and both are armed. Police comfort then them, if one the robbers immediately drops the gun to the ground, and then lays down on the ground, but the other robber tries to go rambo and ends up getting shot by the cop, the robber who was laying on the ground gets charged for killing the other robber under this law? So fucking stupid.
Jun 8 2011 5:07PM
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Motes
Posts: 1840 - Karma: 90

thats so fucked up

cop should get murder sentence

Jun 8 2011 5:10PM
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yeahno
Posts: 4008 - Karma: 3,414
so the cop was female......



just a pussy
Jun 8 2011 5:11PM
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Davin
Posts: 669 - Karma: 354
For protecting his life and enforcing the law? yeah great post
Jun 8 2011 5:13PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
the accomplice wasnt charged with murder. the accomplice pulled the gun (im guessing they both had guns).

what the law is really saying is: if the accomplice is killed, while the other person lives, the other can be charged with the death of the accomplice. seeing as the accomplice was dragged into the situation (maybe even unwillingly).

the way the article words it though, it doesnt sound like the boy pulled the gun on the cop, rather just turned and was holding a gun. sounds like the cop was a bit trigger happy because of how they worded it. the kid could have lifted the gun and aimed though. if that was the case, then the cop can fire in defense. pull a gun on a cop, you deserve whats coming to you.

begin shitstorm, probably not even going to bother looking back into this thread.
Jun 8 2011 5:16PM
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Davin
Posts: 669 - Karma: 354
Yeah just read more into it, would have to agree the wording is very misleading in this article
Jun 8 2011 5:21PM
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forum10
Posts: 421 - Karma: 2
umm yeah, that's the law. it's the same as if you went into someone's house, your friend decided to kill someone in the house for no reason and with you trying to stop him, he does it. you get fucked because you were committing the felony in the first place. it's basically a deterrent law.
Jun 8 2011 5:25PM
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_MNice_
Posts: 558 - Karma: 52
yes i know that, and that is not what i meant by it. it was more of a cops can get away with things much easier than citizens that arent cops. it is complete bullshit that a cop can kill someone and get away with it. yes in some cases it is acceptable, but the way the law is written makes it makes it easy for a cop to get away with murder scotch-free. absolute bullshit.
Jun 8 2011 6:06PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
yeah i fail to understand the murder part where it gets pinned on the kid who didn't murder anyone?
Jun 8 2011 6:09PM
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forum10
Posts: 421 - Karma: 2
it's actually not that easy... but yes officers are more respected with firearms than your average joe. they're trained to know when to use it and how to use it... unlike your average joe. that may not always be the case, but in the court of law, unless shown otherwise, its how an officer is regarded as.
Jun 8 2011 6:11PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Yea, I mean when somebody points a gun at you, obviously they aren't going to shoot. If they aim at you, it should be priority to shoot their hand or foot, because that is so easy.

THE KID WAS FUCKING ARMED, HE HAD A FUCKING GUN. HE MADE A MOVE TOWARDS POLICE. THEY KILLED HIS ACCOMPLICE. IF THEY FUCKING IDIOT DOESN'T HAVE A GUN, HIS FRIEND/CO-CRIMINAL IS STILL ALIVE. WHAT IS SO FUCKING TRAGIC ABOUT THIS???

/caps
Jun 8 2011 6:32PM
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Campeador
Posts: 7516 - Karma: -1,227
When doing hoodrat stuff with your friends goes wrong.

The world is a better place with one gone and the other locked up.
Jun 8 2011 6:38PM
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little1337
Posts: 8261 - Karma: 48,269
wow. he pulled the gun and all but he was charged?
Jun 8 2011 6:40PM
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AwR
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 1,881
wow this and the college loans thread wow
Jun 8 2011 6:41PM
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forum10
Posts: 421 - Karma: 2
yes because the kids just ROBBED someone at GUNPOINT. they tried running and while in pursuit, the kid PULLS the GUN at the COP... so what do you think is going to happen? i mean, are you fucking retarded?
Jun 8 2011 6:59PM
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Bob_Loblaw
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 38
You completely missed the point. The kid who turned around with the gun in hand got shot and killed. The other kid was charged with the murder of the first, even though he made no move of aggression towards the cop. Of course the cop was justified in shooting the first kid.

The chinaman is not the issue here, donnie.
Jun 8 2011 7:08PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
my name is derek too :D
and how about we dont be fuck heads and steal.
then point a fucking gun at a police officer. holy fuck.
Jun 8 2011 7:11PM
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
and people wonder why we don't trust cops
Jun 8 2011 7:43PM
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JakeAssBeatClap
Posts: 6673 - Karma: 2,537
Honestly the kids were fucking thugs, obviously, robbing a man at gun point. Should the kid have been killed probably not. Should the buddy be charged with the crime hell fucking no. The cop wouldn't just shoot the kid, he would've told him to put it down first the kid was probably not fucking complying. Honestly one fucking thug dead makes me a happier upper middle class 19 year old because when I am making my own money as a succesful adult I don't want to have to pay more taxes in order to give handouts to fucking thugass fuck ups that didn't try in school to make good of themselves and rather scraped by comitted fucking crimes saying America is a shitty place because they were underprivileged. America is equal opportunity and you can do well in a ghetto high school just as you can do well at a public high school in a blue collar or white collar neighborhood. So thanks to the officer who took care of one more punk ass thug faggot that i won't have to support with my tax dollars when I'm 50.
/rant
Jun 8 2011 7:51PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
HOLY SHIT YOU BOTH MUST BE THE ONLY DEREK'S IN THE WORLD
Jun 8 2011 7:54PM
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ColinB
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 2,236
How on earth is it the kids fault that his friend made a stupid decision that got him killed???? what the fuck is with this country's legal system?
Jun 8 2011 7:54PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i love when people ignore glaring logistical problems so they can yell about something

first of all, why would the cop shoot the person without a gun if the whole point was that he was threatened at the moment by the person WITH a gun? use your brain..the cop shot the dude with a gun and blamed the unarmed guy.

nobody's even said they fault the cop for shooting the person aiming a gun at them
Jun 8 2011 7:54PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
i really don't understand how people are saying fuck the police and this is why we don't trust cops and all this shit in this thread.

if you're assigning blame to the cop for the accomplice being charged with murder - it's the whole justice system that is responsible for that, not the police officer.


if you're saying fuck the police because the cop shot a 15 year old....what would you do if a person of any age pointed a loaded gun at you with what you perceived to be a full intent to shoot you? Maybe the kid wasn't going to actually shoot, maybe he was, but I'll tell you what...15 years old that kid has a good clue of what's going on and can certainly aim and fire a gun and as much as it would suck to shoot a kid you better believe you're not going to just stand there and not defend yourself from a potentially lethal shot.

It's awful that the shot killed the kid...i want to say why not shoot him in the leg or something non-lethal but when there's a loaded gun pointed at you i doubt it's very easy to shoot with pinpoint accuracy. I'm sure the only thing on your mind is "stop this fucking lunatic with a gun pointed at me"
Jun 8 2011 7:59PM
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NickSki.
Posts: 2009 - Karma: 61
The cops didn't make the law...
Jun 8 2011 8:00PM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,355
If a robber has a gun and he starts to point it at me imma drop that mother fucker, no questions asked.
Jun 8 2011 8:03PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
no but they choose to a great extent what to charge people with when they are the arresting officer.. if you can show me something that says the officer didnt apply the charge, great, but there's nothing pointing in that direction at the moment
Jun 8 2011 8:06PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
dude think about it, with any major criminal charge it isn't the cop who makes the ruling. A full blown investigation is conducted and the justice system, i.e. the state of ____ wherever this happened, files charges again the criminal.

An arresting officer would make charges such as traffic violations of misdemeanors, but a felony charge like that would be handed out by the state's justice system
Jun 8 2011 8:49PM
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