MO - Off-duty officer (Katlyn Alix) shot dead by on-duty officer (Nathaniel Hendren), Jan 2019

[Seattle1]

St. Louis officer who 'shot dead his female colleague' is granted $10k bail | Daily Mail Online

Jan 31, 2019

Cop who 'shot dead his female colleague playing Russian roulette at 1am' leaves jail on $10k bail after being accused of DRINKING on duty before using his gun in the twisted game

• Nathaniel Hendren, 29, was granted $10,000 bail and filmed leaving the courthouse in St Louis, Missouri, in a tracksuit
• He refused to speak in the video taken Thursday after he was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of 24-year-old Katlyn Alix
• The police officer has a black eye which he is said to have got headbutting a police vehicle shortly after the shooting, according to reports
• Hendren and his police partner Patrick Riordan have been accused of 'consuming alcoholic beverages while on-duty' on the night of Alix's death
• Her parents hired attorney to launch independent inquiry into her shooting
• The family say they are still looking for answers concerning what happened

Hendren and his police partner, Patrick Riordan, were at his home, along with Katlyn, early Thursday when the two men were supposed to be patrolling a neighborhood.

There, Hendren and Riordan allegedly 'consumed alcoholic beverages while on-duty', according to the St Louis Post-Dispatch. In a disciplinary document Lt. William Brown also alleges Hendren 'recklessly discharged a firearm resulting in the death of another officer'.

The circuit attorney's office has already raised serious concerns over the police handling of the case. Prosecutor Kimberly M. Gardner questioned whether cops tried to block the drug and alcohol testing of Hendren and Riordan.
[...]
Prosecutor Gardner wrote that urine and breath tests were performed on the male officers, but not a blood test. She argued that the way the testing was performed 'appears to be an obstructionist tactic.'
______________________

Only 3 people were present. One is dead. An autopsy will be performed, including complete toxicology.

You provide a urine sample for random drug testing in everyday employment!

It doesn't follow that blood samples from the Officers were not obtained. It also doesn't follow that they would refuse to provide blood samples.... Jeezus, they were at the hospital!!

MOO

 

[Southern_Girl]

St. Louis police officer charged with shooting colleague released from jail


“Hendren will be held on house arrest at his St. Louis apartment and monitored via GPS or another electronic device.”

ETA: I would not want to stay where I’d just shot & killed someone less than a week ago. Having to stay there constantly would make this even more haunting.

 

[SoCalDavidS]

I agree with the police chief this isn't a "cultural" issue, it just appears to be a police department trying to inappropriately protect it's officers and avoid transparency.

Isn't that standard protocol for a police department? The only thing different about this case, is the person killed was also a police officer. Creates a bit of internal conflict. Normally they can rally behind the police officer who shot the innocent citizen, who they couldn't care less about.

 

[SoCalDavidS]

St. Louis police officer charged with shooting colleague released from jail

“Hendren will be held on house arrest at his St. Louis apartment and monitored via GPS or another electronic device.”

ETA: I would not want to stay where I’d just shot & killed someone less than a week ago. Having to stay there constantly would make this even more haunting.

Probably will stay behind closed doors 24/7, so as to avoid the media which will likely be camped outside.

 

[mickey2942]

St. Louis police officer charged with shooting colleague released from jail


“Hendren will be held on house arrest at his St. Louis apartment and monitored via GPS or another electronic device.”

ETA: I would not want to stay where I’d just shot & killed someone less than a week ago. Having to stay there constantly would make this even more haunting.

Creeeeepyyyyyyy! Yes, I wouldn't want to do that for nothing! No thanks.

 

[Betty P]

ITA. Hopefully CA can find either precedent and/or present compelling evidence (i.e. PR testimony) that NH violated procedure (on multiple counts) and get Garrity thrown out to continue with an impartial hair follicle test.

The premise, as I understand it is that this is designed to protect govt emps from providing self-incriminatory statements under duress... still unclear how this applies to a tox survey (following shooting death of a fellow officer).

BBM one might argue within the context of extenuating circumstances that Garrity does not apply to a toxicity screen especially given the fact the department understood these samples were requested for the purpose of a criminal investigation. Seems like it would have been reasonable enough to obtain a court-order (warrant) for the blood. Unreal.

ITA, but looks like they got away with it. It's probably too late now for a blood screen. I just don't understand why good policemen would go to great lengths to protect someone so irresponsible and dangerous.

 

[mickey2942]

ITA, but looks like they got away with it. It's probably too late now for a blood screen. I just don't understand why good policemen would go to great lengths to protect someone so irresponsible and dangerous.

I think that they get so caught up in "rights" and "union", looking at the minutiae, that they miss the big picture, and become absolutely irrational in protection of the "blue line", "us against them" mentality.

I understand how it gets, but at some point they lose focus of the mission.

 

[Seattle1]

Thank you for sharing this info Betty P... it is most appreciated. I'm not sure where to look for the CA's statements about what she saw in the reports and probable cause statement. When you have a moment, would please be so kind to share what she says that make you inclined to think that drugs were involved? I'm trying to keep up to speed as new information is available, however have not yet found an article with the CA's comments. Do you know of any links/articles I might be able to read? Thank you again... most appreciated!

There were beer cans photographed at the scene. Through his attorney, NH's partner admitted to consuming beer while on duty (allegedly less than 1 can, emptied remainder in sink, and left can on counter reportedly corroborated by crime scene photos). Allegedly, NH and KA also consumed alcohol.

I also doubt that drugs were present but believe CA's claim of possible drugs strengthened her argument for warrant to obtain blood samples from officers -- which I totally support should have been obtained --regardless of whether or not alcohol or drugs present or suspected. MOO

 

[luvhockey]

NH was held in Jefferson County which is about 20 miles south of St Louis before bonding out

 

[YESorNO]

RAW: St. Louis Public Safety Director addresses officer investigation

Jan 29, 2019

"Jimmie Edwards took questions from the media during a press conference regarding the death of St. Louis Police Officer Katlyn Alix."

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Transcript of St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden's press conference on death of Officer Katlyn Alix

January 31, 2019

"St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden held a press conference Thursday, one week after an on-duty officer allegedly fatally shot another officer. Here is the transcript.

(Opening statement)..."

Transcript of St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden's press conference on death of Officer Katlyn Alix
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Watch: Raw: Full news conference from St. Louis police chief

Jan 31, 2019

"In a press conference Thursday afternoon, St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden blasted Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s statements in a letter about the ongoing investigation of officer Katlyn Alix’s shooting death at the hands of fellow officer Nathaniel Hendren."

Raw: Full news conference from St. Louis police chief

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RAW: Officer Katlyn Alix's family speaks for the first time since her death

Jan 30, 2019

"Officer Alix's family spoke with media after their daughter's funeral accompanied by attorney Scott Rosenblum."

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[mickey2942]

Interesting reading. I would like to know if a blood draw would have been done on person who was NOT a police officer, who had shot a police officer.

That is the issue.

 

[HerculeHolmes]

Interesting reading. I would like to know if a blood draw would have been done on person who was NOT a police officer, who had shot a police officer.

That is the issue.

Hard to say definitely yes/no but one could safely assume that John Q is generally not protected under Garrity but would assume 5thA rights... one of the reasons why clarity on how Garrity is applied to tox draws would be helpful

 

[buttonbaby]

Interesting reading. I would like to know if a blood draw would have been done on person who was NOT a police officer, who had shot a police officer.

That is the issue.

BBM... IMOO, absolutely YES... blood is often drawn in DUI cases, and as serious of an offense as that is, this case is so ambiguous and answers are going to be demanded by KA's family, as well as the community. A blood draw would have at least provided a snapshot of a moment in time (blood alcohol levels/ drug use, etc.)... it's obviously way too late for that now, but it does appear there have been many advancements in hair testing technology... let's hope they are ON this immediately.

Hair Alcohol Testing: FAQ | DNA Legal

 

[mickey2942]

Hard to say definitely yes/no but one could safely assume that John Q is generally not protected under Garrity but would assume 5thA rights... one of the reasons why clarity on how Garrity is applied to tox draws

No, there was collusion between the Department and the Union to obstruct the warrant by the DA office for the blood draw.

Garrity was never meant to protect killers.

 

[HerculeHolmes]

No, there was collusion between the Department and the Union to obstruct the warrant by the DA office for the blood draw.

Garrity was never meant to protect killers.

Well there is probable reason to believe that is not a ludicrous assumption. We do not know that for sure but it does look that way. It would be extremely difficult to prove and it would most likely require direct officer vs officer testimony.

Would be very interested to learn who directed who to say what to whom. Who was the first responder on scene? Tell me more exactly about how the MStateHwy Patrol is approaching this. A separate 'independent' dept. investigation is not synonymous with procedural impartiality. What it does have the capacity to do is muddy the waters between jurisdiction and nuance.

Is there anything else the SUV can tell us? Curious if there is a tape of NH initial interview via SgtH. What about the tape from the ER building access? Still want to know how the suspect is released back to the scene of the crime under house arrest during an ongoing investigation? How is the crime scene wrapped so fast?

Oh yah and that black eye. Why where they there at 1am? We need the unadulterated mobile records. If it truly was only alcohol on scene why even bother to block a blood draw? Think about it. Does the level of effort here make sense? If so/not so under what circumstances?

Scott is going to find the truth. What perspires in that court room (assuming it goes to trial) could be an entirely different story presented to the public. The City and the State owe the family some transparency and completeness in their answers.

 

[mickey2942]

There will be no transparency, that is evident from the Barney Fife Catbox Coverup TapDance news brief today. Everything goes into some black hole, where FOIA is meaningless because it concerns "confidential human resource personnel matters".

The court system will go on forever with extensions, continuances, recusals, on and on, until 6 or 7 years later someone asks for a dismissal.

Meanwhile, the family is cut a big check, signs non disclosure agreement and moves forward.

Wrap it up with a bow.

 

[Willow Knight]

and then I think omg what if this is the real story. no cover. or little cover.

if the rookies are doing this - in a time when they are new and held to a higher standard - if this is the cultural norm - then what the hell are others doing? and where can we start in holding folks accountable?

I can also understand the alleged cocaine use bc these officers are working way too much overtime. and for way too little $. and they are in over their heads with staff shortages and support. they need to use the coke to maintain physically. and they need to sell the coke to maintain financially. sadly. and what resources and encouragement is there for officers to handle their emotional maintenance? slim to none.

this event - however it ends up - is a cry for help on a million different levels.

Ya'll can go ahead and slap stupid all over me, "arms raised". I would think, thought, IMO, that all police department employees would have random drug testing. Would that not be standard across the country?

 

[Willow Knight]

OMG...I just Google Mapped from the last call to the apartment. It takes 19 minutes to drive. Even if they hedged a little on the "back in service" call, that still narrows the time at the apartment even more.

Wow.
12:14 Back in Service
12:33 Arrive at Apartment (19 min drive)
12:56 Shooting (leaves 23 min inside apartment)

IMO, this was a planned meeting. Could be as simple as dropping off sub sandwiches for lunch break.

 

[Mercedes]

Interesting reading. I would like to know if a blood draw would have been done on person who was NOT a police officer, who had shot a police officer.

That is the issue.

If so, the family may want to include the Hospital in their civil suit.

 

[nightowl1975]

ITA, but looks like they got away with it. It's probably too late now for a blood screen. I just don't understand why good policemen would go to great lengths to protect someone so irresponsible and dangerous.

IMO, good policemen wouldn’t.