The killing of Eric Harris, shown right posing with his brother Andre, has raised questions about the use of volunteer officers to supplement full-time law enforcement.
By Reuters
The Oklahoma volunteer reserve deputy(click here) who fatally shot an unarmed suspect being subdued by regular deputies last year was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday by a jury that recommended he serve the maximum of four years in prison.
Prosecutors told jurors that Robert Bates, 74, an insurance executive who volunteered as a reserve sheriff’s deputy, deserved to be sent to prison for thrusting himself into the situation when there were several qualified deputies on the scene who could subdue the man....
It was not an exercise, there was no danger because Eric Harris was already subdued. Eric Harris posed no danger to anyone.
...Prosecutor Kevin Gray told jurors in closing arguments that Bates made the decision to leave his car, join the deputies and draw a weapon on Harris, who was on the ground.
“People make mistakes all the time, but to equate the shooting of Eric Harris with that is absurd,” he said....
I don't know how anyone can state the death of a man is a mistake. Hunting accidents (click here) occur, but, accidental deaths by police officers isn't really a possibility.
I might point out the USA has 30,000 deaths per year due to the loose gun laws. That 30 thousand deaths does not include gun injuries either.
