This week Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey became the latest public official to condone systemic police brutality in the Rocky Mountain State. Morrissey refused to file criminal charges against sheriff's deputies involved in the killing of Marvin Booker, 56, a black homeless Denver street preacher.
The coroner ruled the cause of death a homicide brought on by, "cardio respiratory arrest during physical restraint." According to witnesses, Booker was beat, choked, and tased by deputies after he refused to follow instructions and went to put on his shoes before entering a holding cell.
Morrissey said the use of brutal force was justified, ''when an arrestee's conduct necessitates the use of force, it is not mutual combat. Arrestee's compliance is not optional it is mandatory'' according to a Denver Post article. Morrissey's comment is a terrifying but true commentary on the state of police lowers in Colorado and the nation.
What Morrissey failed to explain is why deputies continued to sit on Booker for two minutes after he was handcuffed and unconscious facedown in a holding cell dying. Or why it was necessary to choke and ease the 135 lbs. man when five deputies should have been enough to restrain him without resulting to brutal life threatening tactics.
According to Darold Killmer, the Booker family attorney, Morrissey's investigation was, ''a whitewash." The brother of the victim, Rev. Spencer Lamar Booker of Bethel AME Church in Kansas City, Mo., added his disbelief to the DA's finding, ''There are so many inconsistencies between what is in his report and what witnesses said and the autopsy report. It's mind-boggling.''
Morrissey and the Denver Police Department refuse to release the video, saying the matter is still under investigation despite the announcement that criminal charges would not be filed. Could it be that the Denver police know what will happen if yet another disturbing video of police abusing minorities in Colorado hits YouTube? Whitewash - possibly.
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