re: Possible Riots Friday in St.Louis (Update: Not Guilty)

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Yikes judge called their bluff

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And called them out in the second paragraph of the verdict.

There have already been death threats thrown around at various people associate with the trial.

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Circuit Judge finds Jason Stockley not guilty of killing Anthony Lamar Smith.

Stockley fatally shot 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith in December 2011 after a three-mile police chase through city streets. The incident started as a police stop following a reported drug sale. Surveillance video showed officers block Smith in, who then backed his vehicle into a police car as the officers approached. Stockley ran after the suspect’s car, firing seven shots with his service pistol.

The prosecution called 17 witnesses during the five-day trial.  Stockley testified at his own trial and the defense presented only one other witness..

In dash cam video obtained by Fox 2 News, you can see Stockley exit the patrol car with his personal AK-47 style rifle.  It’s a violation of St. Louis police policy to carry a personal weapon.

Stockley was questioned why he had his personal rifle with him during the trial. He said he didn’t fire it that day, but carried it knowing he was violating department policy because he thought his life and the lives of his fellow officers depended on it.

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Overcoming the burden of self-defense of a police officer is a challenging task. Missouri laws of self-defense and defense of others are most pertinent to this particular set of facts and circumstances. Missouri law requires that prosecutors prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley was NOT acting in self-defense or the defense of others when he killed Smith. The self-defense claim applies to both citizens and police officers.

In addition, state law allows police officers to act based on their perceptions of danger (a reasonable person’s perception). Prosecutors also reviewed whether or not the officers had the ability to use deadly force in making an arrest. Under Missouri law, police officers may use deadly force only to make an arrest when they reasonably believe both that deadly force is necessary to make the arrest and when they also reasonably believe that the person being arrested may endanger life or risk inflicting serious physical injury unless arrested without delay.

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you can see Stockley exit the patrol car with his personal AK-47 style rifle.

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wait wtf?

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wait wtf?

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Said he admitted to carrying his personal rifle because he felt his safety and his fellow officer's safety depended on it.

police already mounting up... getting ready

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Circuit Judge finds Jason Stockley not guilty of killing Anthony Lamar Smith.

Stockley fatally shot 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith in December 2011 after a three-mile police chase through city streets. The incident started as a police stop following a reported drug sale. Surveillance video showed officers block Smith in, who then backed his vehicle into a police car as the officers approached. Stockley ran after the suspect’s car, firing seven shots with his service pistol.

The prosecution called 17 witnesses during the five-day trial.  Stockley testified at his own trial and the defense presented only one other witness..

In dash cam video obtained by Fox 2 News, you can see Stockley exit the patrol car with his personal AK-47 style rifle.  It’s a violation of St. Louis police policy to carry a personal weapon.

Stockley was questioned why he had his personal rifle with him during the trial. He said he didn’t fire it that day, but carried it knowing he was violating department policy because he thought his life and the lives of his fellow officers depended on it.

In May 2016, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office charged Stockley with first-degree murder and armed criminal action

This is the full text of the Judge’s decision:

A release from the Circuit Attorney of St. Louis’ office says that:

The Judge’s Options:

In July, Judge Wilson granted Jason Stockley’s request for waiver of a jury trial. Therefore, the judge became the finder of fact in this matter, and he made the decision on whether or not Jason Stockley violated Missouri law when he shot and killed Anthony Lamar Smith. Under Missouri law, the judge could have considered finding Stockley guilty of Murder in the First Degree as charged or lessor crimes such as Murder in the Second Degree or Voluntary Manslaughter.

Overcoming the Self-Defense Burden:

Overcoming the burden of self-defense of a police officer is a challenging task. Missouri laws of self-defense and defense of others are most pertinent to this particular set of facts and circumstances. Missouri law requires that prosecutors prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley was NOT acting in self-defense or the defense of others when he killed Smith. The self-defense claim applies to both citizens and police officers.

In addition, state law allows police officers to act based on their perceptions of danger (a reasonable person’s perception). Prosecutors also reviewed whether or not the officers had the ability to use deadly force in making an arrest. Under Missouri law, police officers may use deadly force only to make an arrest when they reasonably believe both that deadly force is necessary to make the arrest and when they also reasonably believe that the person being arrested may endanger life or risk inflicting serious physical injury unless arrested without delay.

The Evidence Prosecutors Presented at Trial:

The fact that Anthony Smith was shot and killed by Stockley is not in dispute. What prosecutors worked to do was present evidence in court that they believe proved Stockley violated Missouri law when he shot Smith and then planted a gun in Smith’s car to justify the killing.”

More information from the Circuit Attorney’s office:

Cool Reflection/Deliberation

Prosecutors charged Stockley with Murder in the First Degree, which requires the State of Missouri to prove that a defendant knowingly caused the death of another person after deliberation upon the matter. Deliberation means cool reflection for any length of time no matter how brief.. Evidence of deliberation was presented at trial through Stockley’s own statement. At 12:41:30 in the dash camera video, Stockley tells Bianchi “We’re killing this mother****, don’t you know.” Forty-five seconds later, he fatally shot Smith.

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Damn, once they read this, it's almost certain riots will happen. Although, it does seem like the guy trying to run was putting multiple lives at risk.

St Louis Buslink is ready.

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What are the grounds on which this former cop may be found not guilty?
How can you circumvent the court system to not have a trial by jury for murder?
Just looking for some substance here.

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you do realize it's the defendant's option as to have a trial by judge or trial by jury

usually pick jury trial b/c it's harder to convince 12 people of guilt than 1 person