Trial to begin this week in Highway Patrol case
The civil rights trial of trooper Steve Garren is set to begin this week. He is charged with violating the civil rights of a man he struck with his patrol car, a federal crime that carries up to 10 years, because local prosecutors refused to bring charges against him for assault and battery with intent to kill (attempted murder).
According to the Greenville News, a second trooper who is accused of repeatedly kicking a truck driver in the head after a highway chase is expected to go to trial as well, although they do not say when or where.
Garren’s attorney predicted last week his client will be vindicated because of the video that shows the chase on a narrow, dark back road in Greenwood County in June 2007 after Grant bailed out of a car. Lawyer John O’Leary said Garren didn’t have time to get out of the way as Grant cut in front of the cruiser. He also noted no state charges were ever brought.“There’s no way he could have intended to hit the guy based on that time frame,” O’Leary said. “The truth of the matter is this crime requires that it be willful. And, you know, we just believe it wasn’t. It was an accident.”
I don't know. Looks like the trooper actually swerves to hit the man. What do you think:
But state Rep. Leon Howard, the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, which helped bring the videos to the governor’s attention, said Garren’s bragging shows the mind-set of the trooper.“It’s ingrained in him to think they’ve got the kind of authority to do the things they do. He acts like he’s just hit a squirrel,” said Howard, D-Columbia. “It’s ridiculous that he would even say that he’s innocent.”
I know that Garren will get better than a fair trial. More often than not, when law enforcement officials are charged with crimes, juries do not hold them accountable. But I am glad that someone is trying to hold these troopers accountable, and, win or lose, these crimes and the abusive attitudes prevalent in law enforcement agencies have been brought into the light of day.
Comments
These jurors encourage these type cops to abuse citizens knowing no jury will hold them accountable. Then when there's a member of their own family on the receiving end or there's a Stacy Peterson type situation they wonder why are these types even allowed to remain on the force. Look in the member. That's why they get to remain and do what they do.
Posted by: lilac | October 14, 2008 2:42 PM
Agreed. The agency does not hold them accountable, the circuit solicitor refuses to prosecute them, and when the U.S. Attorney brings a case the jury acquits.
I can't argue with the jury's verdict. At least someone tried to hold them accountable, and brought attention to the issue instead of letting it die quietly.
Posted by: BFrederick | October 14, 2008 3:55 PM