Defense of theft

[hamsterjill]

I've seen it posted on DU numerous times that Michael Brown committing strong arm robbery (the term used by the police) and the shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Wilson are two separate matters.

I agree.

But I cannot believe some of the comments that I'm reading on DU defending Brown for stealing from a convenience store.

Again, this thread is just about that part of this story, being what happened in that convenience store. Nothing else.

But are there some posters on DU that actually believe it was okay for Brown to streal and do what he did to that store clerk? Because he was young?

What about the rights of the people inside that store to be safe while they shopped? What about the owner of the store's right that his merchandise not be stolen? What about the rights of the clerk to have a reasonably safe work environment? What about these people's rights?

I don't care if someone is young or what, stealing and roughing up a store clerk in any way is wrong.

When someone chooses to break the law, they put themselves in jeopardy of someone else doing something to protect themselves, their property and those around them.

Are there really people here who think it's okay to violate someone else's rights just when you feel like it?

I really need other thoughts on this because I'm flabbergasted. And again, this is only about the convenience store, so please don't bother saying Brown didn't deserve to die over a few cigars. I stipulate and agree that he didn't. But that clerk didn't deserve to be treated like that either and I've not seen one comment in two days on DU stating that fact.

[Warpy]

1. Yeah, they should be dragged out and shot

Oh, wait...

[JimDandy]

2. Oh please... give it a break. A black teen was murdered by a cop

for no justifiable reason.

Focus on THAT.

[sabrina 1]

3. Was he charged, convicted of theft? What I saw, once we got the video, was, two guys

entering a store, they appeared to choose something, not sure what, from a shelf and then went to the counter, presumably to purchase it.

What happened next is totally unclear. We cannot see the person behind the counter so don't know what precipitated the brief incident where it appears 'Big Mike' reached across and grabbed something, we are told, cigars. I saw his friend pick up the cigars and return them to the counter, didn't look like he was trying to steal anything, quite the contrary.

Next I saw something in 'Big Mike's' hand as he turned to leave the store. Then we saw the clerk step in front of him, he pushed him away and went out. He came back again and engaged the clerk again, briefly, then left.

Now since we're surmising, what might have happened, Mike asks for cigars, which he intended to pay for. The person behind the counter tells him, 'I need some ID' and refuses to sell them to him, he reaches across and takes them, perhaps angry at being refused. Not the right thing to do, certainly, but not theft. Especially since they are returned by his friend.

Do YOU know what happened during that crucial part of the tape? And why are there no cameras on that most important part of the store, where robbers generally could be expected to go, to demand money etc? WERE there cameras there but they didn't show what we are being led to believe?

Apparently his friend has told the FBI and the Justice Dept the whole story, according to his attorney.

I think it is extremely wrong to pass judgement on something that is so unclear and could be viewed in many different ways.

[conservaphobe]

4. He's murdered, dead. Everything else is irrelevant. Let it go. nt

[Hoyt]

5. I think the incident is relevant to the whole day. But it does not justify Brown's murder.

I just don't think you can hide it, or ignore it in the events that happened Saturday. The incident in the video explains how Brown might have been arrested that day, or why/how he might have had a brief tussle with the policeman.

BUT, it does not explain how he got shot, apparently multiple times and in the back. I wish they would release the autopsy results.

I'm convinced the policeman murdered the unarmed kid, and the entire police department needs some serious housecleaning that is closely monitored by the state and/or feds.

[Rex]

6. Thanks for being the leader of this cause and such a noble one it is!

Maybe wait until they bury the body first? Before we start harping on the corpse? Nah...I understand, THIS is more important to you...you couldn't stop going on and on about it. Even pretended in a post that he had a gun...

Really...please continue...

[Vincardog]

7. I believe that the discussion of Michael Brown alleged criminal activity

Belongs at his TRIAL.

[BuelahWitch]

8. I would argue it does not belong there either

The policeman who shot him did not know about the robbery. The two things are not related. The information that has come out abut the robbery is a character smear, and the victim is not the one who will be on trial.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. Say it again Beulah!

These aren't related at all.

[Avalux]

9. So....exactly WHY are you flabbergasted?

I'm a little bit confused. I don't think anyone here is saying it's ok to steal from a convenience store and rough up the clerk.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Nope - not me

He should have been arrested, read his rights, and been given due process. Or - the store owner could have acted in defense.

Since this is just about the convenience store - we will leave it at that.

Forgive me - but it seems you are not willing to allow Michael Brown be tried by a jury of his peers.

That court case will happen?


Not sure . . . but he left the store and got chastised for walking in the street. Ironically - that's where my dad was expected to walk in the 1940s and 1950's.

Now - please make sure we aren't trying him at DU. He deserves due process. Let's not put his family in danger of vigilante justice by the national association of convenience store owners.

[stillcool]

12. yes..it's wrong to steal..

Or tell a lie, or hit anyone. If you are human then you will do something that is wrong since all humans are fallible. I think it's called empathy. I was quite the clepto in my youth, but never really got caught. I understand stealing, because of need, because of want, and because of a thrill.
The person in the store? I have been on that side as well...having been stolen from. I don't chase after people, or become confrontational, so I've never had that experience. As a female growing up in a family of 6 males, I know what that gets me.

[handmade34]

13. what appears to be defense of stealing

is anger over the fact that the police dept. brought the video into the conversation.... no one is condoning stealing... but we are angry and disgusted that the PD is trying to smear the victim, apparently in order to help protect the cop who killed him

the theft is actually an issue in terms of the bigger picture (adolescence, oppression, poverty, inequality, economy, etc) but right now is not the time and place

this would be meagerly akin to talking about how many drinks a women had before she was raped... it don't make a fucking difference!!!!

[JustAnotherGen]

14. I like the way you put this . . .

this would be meagerly akin to talking about how many drinks a women had before she was raped... it don't make a fucking difference!!!!