GA - Pastor Jonathan Ayers, 28, killed by LE in Toccoa drug sting, 1 Sept 2009

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  • #61
Speak Out said:
http://www.veoh.com/collection/Police-News/watch/v195466362Z8Xhfbf
Click to expand...


"He just sort of wandered into this investigation and it unfolded from there. It's unfortunate..."


Look at that bruise from the officer. Please. Cuts and bruises - they only took him to the hospital to make it look good because they had just murdered someone. My kids have had worse from skateboarding, football practice, and tae kwon do! He was not in fear of his life. The pastor was not trying to run him down, he was trying to get away.

They had NOTHING to suggest that this man was violent or dangerous...only that he gave the woman cash. Did they know why? NO. To pursue him in this way is the equivalent of starting a high speed chase for someone with a busted tail light who won't stop for an unmarked car. Did you know that's illegal in GA because it is so dangerous? Well then, why should you be allowed to shoot into a car that you don't know to be any more dangerous?

Do you really want police to be able to walk up and shoot you for no reason? I don't. I certainly don't want my sons walking around where those things are allowed to happen, and I wouldn't want them stopping for a bunch of thugs with guns - which is what these officers looked like.

This is crazy and that grand jury is most likely pulled from the same area where these creeps can make their lives hell if they did any different.
 
  • #62
So the girls says that he was paying her for sex. OK, what has happened to her since this incident? Is she in jail? Does anyone think she coud have been pressured into giving that statement? Even if true, does that justify a shooting? Even if he was paying her for drugs, does that justify a shooting? If the pastor was armed, maybe. But he was trying to leave. I can't buy that the officers were in fear for their lives. He was leaving.
 
  • #63
shame, these officers should be held accountable for their actions. or OVER reactions i should say.
 
  • #64
Speak Out said:
http://www.veoh.com/collection/Police-News/watch/v195466362Z8Xhfbf
Click to expand...

I didn't hear a thing about LE withholding evidence out of respect for the pastor's family. I did hear an officer say that Kayla's statements were just that: her statements. Unbacked by any other evidence.

Frankly, after viewing the enhanced video, I am more confused than ever. It clearly shows the undercover truck rushing the Honda in an attempt to block it, the Honda backing up and trying to get away while two guys in scruffy clothes with guns drawn rush the car. While the officer in back was brushed by the car (Actually, it looks like the car was brushed by the officer), it is quite obvious the officer sustained no injury. The officer in front is clearly not in danger, because the pastor is aiming the car in a way to get AWAY from these strange guys with guns. He makes no attempt to rush the officers or anything! How a Grand Jury took that video and the photos of the officer's "cuts and bruises" and came up with the decision that the police did nothing wrong is quite worrisome.

I'd have to say that based on the enhanced video, I would have been quite comfortable in saying that LE was totally unjustified in killing this man. You don't shoot to kill because you've witnessed money being handed over. There is no excuse for the over reaction on the part of these undercover agents: getting the license plate of the car would have sufficed. They could have found that pastor anytime they wanted to.

I am really, really glad that I don't live anywhere near that area, because something stinks to high heaven.
 
  • #65
Well, this is the first time I have seen the enhanced video and I still stick by my opinion. I saw the minor bruise the officer had.

The undercover LE were overzealous, IMO. This pastor did not have to die and shouldn't have.

And I am also glad I do not live there.

JMO
 
  • #66
Ayers widow to file lawsuit
By Jessica Waters



Stephens County and the City of Toccoa have received written notice of pending litigation in federal court regarding the shooting death of Jonathan Ayers.

Prepared by the law firm of Finch McCrainie, LLP of Atlanta, the “ante litem” notices were delivered to multiple cities, counties and municipalities and serve as an official notice to governmental entities of the intent to sue.

Georgia law states that no claim for money damages against any municipal corporation for injuries to person or property may be brought without first giving written notice to the governing authority of the municipal corporation.

The written notice must be provided to the governing authority of the municipal corporation within six months of the event upon which a claim against a municipal corporation is predicated.


More at link:
http://www.franklincountycitizen.com/articles/2010/01/28/news/news02.txt
 
  • #67
I am rather amused. You folks tend to forget that a speeding car towards you is an assault with a deadly weapon. The car does not even have to hit you to justify a response. The act alone escalates the situation. And thankfully the undercover officer did not sustain injuries but how was he or his partner know that during that time? How can we all Monday-morning-quarterback here and condemn the police based on "well, the cop was not injured THAT bad!"

In this situation there were a variety of circumstances that all matched perfectly for the unfortunate death of a person. But the blame is not with the cops who followed protocol. Tragic? Yes. But that's about it.
 
  • #68
  • #69
NickoD said:
I am rather amused. You folks tend to forget that a speeding car towards you is an assault with a deadly weapon. The car does not even have to hit you to justify a response. The act alone escalates the situation. And thankfully the undercover officer did not sustain injuries but how was he or his partner know that during that time? How can we all Monday-morning-quarterback here and condemn the police based on "well, the cop was not injured THAT bad!"

In this situation there were a variety of circumstances that all matched perfectly for the unfortunate death of a person. But the blame is not with the cops who followed protocol. Tragic? Yes. But that's about it.
Click to expand...

Did you watch the video? The car is not speeding "toward" anyone. He seems more to be trying to AVOID the plainsclothes officers. Even the guy who claimed to be injured appears to run toward the car and it almost seems HE runs into the car while it is backing up, not the other way around!

The cop who got the very slight bruises never went down. His partner could surely see he was continuing to chase the car........

And I'm not sure these cops followed protocol. To draw weapons and swarm the car when they had (In their own words) a desire to ASK QUESTIONS, not to make an arrest, seems a tad excessive to me.
 
  • #70
oh yes if a car is driving to run me over, i'd shoot the PASSANGER.....That makes alot of sense.
 
  • #71
NickoD said:
I am rather amused. You folks tend to forget that a speeding car towards you is an assault with a deadly weapon. The car does not even have to hit you to justify a response. The act alone escalates the situation. And thankfully the undercover officer did not sustain injuries but how was he or his partner know that during that time? How can we all Monday-morning-quarterback here and condemn the police based on "well, the cop was not injured THAT bad!"

In this situation there were a variety of circumstances that all matched perfectly for the unfortunate death of a person. But the blame is not with the cops who followed protocol. Tragic? Yes. But that's about it.
Click to expand...

Yes, a car running toward you is a deadly weapon, but running into the path of a moving car is just stupidity. Chasing a moving car while waving a gun and then complaining that they drove away reminds me of the insane dog who got hit multiple times chasing the UPS truck. He never learned either.
 
  • #72
  • #73
The plot thickens....
 
  • #74
Thanks for the update Pandora! Very interesting!
 
  • #75
Oh, my!!!
 
  • #76
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