The Thick Blue Line
The man who videotaped the CHP officer beating a woman on the highway says the CHP is trying to discredit him. That man, David Diaz, talked with host Dominique DiPrima on KJLH-FM's Front Page:
2. On why Diaz didn't give the video to the police right away."Giving it to authorities, we don't do that here. We don't do that in L.A., to give it to authorities. Those were the authorities."
"It's funny because people say why didn't you call the cops. That was the cops! And everyone's a tough guy, they go oh- you should have intervened. Like yeah, so the other guy-so the other cop that comes in at the later end, so he can shoot me? Like c'mon, people need to be realistic."
3. On the CHP trying to discredit him.
"The CHP has come to my house to take statements. So they have questioned me. They've tried to discredit me and they've tried to poke holes in my story. So that's happened. And they are one of the people that have questioned why I didn't help out and why I didn't call 911 and why I didn't stick around to assist her into the hospital if I felt so concerned. They tried to poke holes at me to discredit me for sure."
It's a detective's job to look for holes in a story -- but I would say the videotape of the beating is looking pretty hole-proof.
via @edpadgett
So did the Rodney King video, because and unscrupulous journalist edited it to remove the initial moments when King charged the police.
Art Deco at July 17, 2014 5:43 AM
I guarantee you the jury saw the whole tape.
Amy Alkon at July 17, 2014 6:10 AM
I guarantee you the jury saw the whole tape.
Bit too late for Reginald Denny and a mess of Korean merchants.
Art Deco at July 17, 2014 7:47 AM
It is refreshing to hear someone who can speak cogent and coherent English defending himself against the cops. It makes his defense of his actions significantly more credible. And conversely, it makes the actions of the cops less credible.
flbeachmom at July 17, 2014 10:04 AM
Police departments investigating and policing themselves: what a bunch of shit.
I've learned from experience that the purpose of Internal Affairs investigations of police misconduct is to intimidate victims and witnesses and exonerate the police.
Ken R at July 17, 2014 10:58 AM
@Art Deco
Why do you want to talk about Rodney King and Reginald Denny? And is that video of police beating King responsible for the attempted murder of Reginald Denny? Or is it the persons who hit him with a hammer and brick? They did what they wanted. Probably wouldn't have done it without a riot going on to give them cover. But what of it? Things happen to people that don't deserve it. Welcome to life.
I thought this blog entry was mostly about cops not being angels. Chilling effect and all. And I am very grateful for video that exists in a lot of situations to filter out the bullshit.
abersouth at July 17, 2014 1:04 PM
Acting like an ass towards the cops is still not justification for the beating Rodney King received, or anyone receives.
jerry at July 18, 2014 4:46 PM
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