It seems obvious that Chrestensen was experiencing some type of mental stress. When the police arrived he was standing in the middle of the street yelling at passing drivers with his pants down. The police say that he attacked a passing car and wouldn't listen to police commands. Chrestensen was a 52-year old man without a weapon ... he was *UNARMED*. Even if the police officer thought that Chrestensen was trying to steal a car ... it is worth noting that we don't have the death penalty for such a crime.
There is no indication that Chrestensen has a previous criminal history ... and it appears that his only medical condition may be high blood pressure. The police and district attorney are investigating this in-custody pre-judicial electrocution ... but, the officers involved in the taser-killing have not been removed from duty.
Noah Sherry was at work when he witnessed all the commotion.
"I looked out the window and the guy was sitting out there, or standing out there, cussing at people, and doing things" said Sherry. "I think anyone on that mindset would be on drugs."
Does drug use justify being killed by any random police officer?
2 comments:
First of all...Let's clarify a few FACTS: The man was NOT in custody, Police were repeatedly attempting to subdue the man when the unknown subject physically attacked a passer-by. We put our trust in Law Enforcement to PROTECT the community from random acts of violence yet attack them for doing the very thing we ask them to do. Let us remember that horrible day in January 2001 when a mentally ill man behaved in a similar manner and shot up the HEW Building killing Laura Wilcox and injuring many others. Less lethal force is sometimes a necessary element in crime control and it is very unfortunate that a man died as a result of the method of force. However, this incident and others like it are the exception NOT the condition of Law Enforcement practices.
MKelley77 - I appreciate you for sharing your insights about this taser-related death...
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