Expectations
Constable Todd Sweet may or may not have an "anger management" problem.
And the parents of a dead teenager are understandably upset about losing their son.
But let me see if this picture is clear.
The young man who was killed was a passanger in a stolen SUV that had led police through a chase and then rammed a police roadbloack.
Here is a portion of the Sun's report this morning:
"Sweet's lawyer, David Butcher, agreed, arguing Sweet fired the fatal shot, but the person responsible was Ian Campbell, the 18-year-old driver of the stolen sport utility vehicle that ran a police roadblock and, when blocked by police vehicles after a short chase, rammed the police car containing Sweet and his partner.
He said Sweet, after his car was pushed 20 metres by Campbell's ramming, got out of the car, aimed at Campbell and ordered him to show his hands. Instead, Campbell again rammed the police car.
Sweet fired three shots at the SUV, hitting Campbell in the hand and killing Tait, who was in the front passenger seat.
Butcher read portions of the trial judge's findings in the trial of Campbell, who was sentenced to six years in prison."
It's strange how terrible things can happen when you steal a car and fight with armed police.
1 comment:
I've had a certain view of this story since it broke and my view hasn't wavered. Simply put, the parents are in denial about their son's true nature. He was out of control and they, as parents, are unwilling to accept this. For if they did, they would psychologically feel it was a negative reflection of themselves and they can't allow that.
I will share with you that my own parents went through this emotional tug-of-war with my brother. He was nothing but trouble since age 13. Though he was never killed by the police, he has had most every other interaction with them. Eventually ... and it took a long time ... my mom and dad emotionally detached themselves from his actions, as did I decades ago.
The fact that Campbell's parents are choosing to ignore reality and are trying to destroy the career and life of a police officer who was just defending himself is repugnant to me.
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