Judge dismissed charges against the ex-Philly SWAT officer who pepper sprayed kneeling protesters...

[Nevilledog]

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Patrick Kerkstra
@pkerkstra
Mind-boggling statement from a Philly judge that just dismissed all charges against a fired Philly cop last seen blasting pepper spray directly into the eyes of kneeling protesters on the Vine Street Expressway. https://inquirer.com/news/richard-p-nicoletti-philadelphia-swat-police-pepper-spray-676-20210517.html…
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https://www.inquirer.com/news/richard-p-nicoletti-philadelphia-swat-police-pepper-spray-676-20210517.html

A city judge on Monday dismissed all charges against ex-Philadelphia SWAT Officer Richard P. Nicoletti, ruling that Nicoletti had not committed a crime when he pepper sprayed protesters on the Vine Street Expressway during demonstrations last summer over the murder of George Floyd.

Following a preliminary hearing that featured testimony from the three people Nicoletti doused with the spray — an act that was captured on video — Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan said Nicoletti had been authorized by his commanders to clear the highway, and given pepper spray as a tool to do so.

“You may not like their methods, that doesn’t criminalize their methods,” Meehan said.

And although Assistant District Attorney Brian Collins pointed out that Nicoletti had been fired over his actions for violating department protocols and argued that he should be held criminally responsible for assault and related charges, the judge remained unconvinced.

“You can’t put [officers] in charge of maintaining order, and then tie their hands on how they’re going to do it,” Meehan said.

*snip*

[PoliticAverse]

1. Actually you can "tie their hands on how they're going to do it". n/t

you think

[DonCoquixote]

2. er, yes we can

"“You can’t put [officers] in charge of maintaining order, and then tie their hands on how they’re going to do it,” Meehan said. "

if we cannot, then we have nothing that says that we are safer with the cops then others.

[marble falls]

3. Thank goodness they didn't give Nicoletti an AR-15.

[mikeysnot]

4. Holy.... Shit

Judge needs to go.

[Fullduplexxx]

5. Meehan was retained to a four-year term in the general election on November 7, 2017.

Meehan was retained to a four-year term in the general election on November 7, 2017.

[gratuitous]

6. So his superiors gave Nicoletti pepper spray instead of a flame thrower

But if he had a flame-thrower, Nicoletti would have been perfectly, legally justified in frying a few citizens. So, uh good? I guess?

[Thomas Hurt]

7. Meehan thinks we have already arrived at the Judge Dredd school of law enforcement eh?

[Tree-Hugger]

8. That's Philly for you.

Not surprised at all.