Electronic Village

Lakeesha Alert: Mitrice Richardson Case is Treated as a Homicide

2009-12-17T07:45:00.001-05:00

Villagers may recall that we issued a Lakeesha Alert for Mitrice Richardson, 24, over three months ago. Richardson disappeared after being released from the Lost Hills sheriff's station jail for her arrest on suspicion of not paying her bill at a Malibu restaurant.

Her case is now being treated as a homicide. Sheriff Lee Baca ordered a homicide investigation into the disappearance of Mitrice Richardson although he does not necessarily believe she is dead.

"He has declared it a homicide investigation," Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for Baca. "But by opening up a homicide investigation, it does allow the sheriff's department to put some of our top investigators on the case."

Richardson's family had been campaigning for the sheriff to open up the case as a homicide investigation.

Villagers -- do you think that there is a happy ending for this missing person case in our future?

Taser Death: Linda Hicks (Toledo OH)

2009-12-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

Toledo police officers Rebecca Kenney, 34, and Diane Chandler, 33, shot 62-year old Linda Hicks four times, twice in the head, with their taser gun. [SOURCE]

The taser gun was used in 'drive stun' mode. The taser, fired by Officer Chandler misfired, the barbs didn't shoot out, so Officer Chandler connected her taser directly to Linda Hicks ... this type of contact is known as 'drive stun' ... driving the taser gun into physical contact with the intended subject.

Linda Hicks died immediately.

One would think that this elderly woman must have been robbing a bank or running away from a bicycle traffic stop or something truly evil. One would be wrong. Linda Hicks was a mentally-ill woman laying down in bed when the police arrived. Now she's dead.

The woman who cares for mentally ill people in her home, Tanya Murphy, called 911 earlier in the evening when Mrs. Hicks became agitated. Murphy told the 911 operator that Ms. Hicks had a history of schizophrenia and was not taking her medication. Ms. Murphy had difficulty discussing the incident yesterday and would only say: "She came at me with the scissors."

Gloria Wright, who went to school with Ms. Hicks, said she believed the woman could have been subdued without lethal force. "They could have shut the door," she said. "They could have shot her in the leg."

Toledo police chief Mike Navarre shared the following description of the taser-related killing:

"They were told basically that this Linda Hicks had not been taking her medication, had been threatening people, was acting up, was agitated, and, we are told, she had this pair of scissors in her hand that she was threatening people with, so they went upstairs," the chief said.

"The bedroom door was shut; they knocked; they opened the door; Linda Hicks was laying on the bed; she had her hands under a pillow - appeared that she may have something in her hands."

Ms. Hicks refused to comply when the two female officers ordered her to show her hands. They then tried to subdue Ms. Hicks with a Taser.

The chief said Ms. Hicks then got up from the bed with the scissors in her left hand, became very agitated, and told the officers, "'I'm going to kill you or you are going to have to kill me.'"

"Officer Chandler and Officer Kenney both indicated that Linda Hicks advanced toward Officer Chandler with scissors in a raised position … and Officer Chandler fired four times," Chief Navarre said.

Both officers are off duty and will be on administrative leave. The chief said the investigation would take three to four weeks.

A mentally-ill 62-year old woman is in the morgue today. Something is seriously wrong when the police use their taser guns instead of commonsense. That is my initial thought. What say u?

56 Taser-Related Deaths in the United States

2009-12-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

Today we added Linda Hicks (Toledo OH) as the 56th victim on our list.

America's police force is killing people on a weekly basis with taser guns. There are not many states in the nation who have not been involved in a taser-related death this year. Tasers are now deployed in law enforcement agencies in 29 of the 33 largest U.S. cities.

Perhaps the idea of an electric rifle made sense when it was first invented. However, we now see too much taser abuse.

First available to law enforcement in February 1998, now used by more than 14,200 law enforcement agencies in more than 40 countries. More than 406,000 taser guns have been sold since the product hit the market. It may be time for congressional hearings.

This blog has been pointing out incidents of police taser torture for quite awhile. The work done over the past few years by Patti Gillman and Cameron Ward inspired this post. Gillman and Ward documented over 460 taser-related deaths in North America on their blog.

Our blog has documented 56 taser-related deaths in the United States since the beginning of the year:

Jan 9, 2009: Derrick Jones, 17, Black, Martinsville, Virginia

Jan 11, 2009: Rodolfo Lepe, 31, Hispanic, Bakersfield, California

Jan 22, 2009: Roger Redden, 52, Caucasian, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee

Feb 2, 2009: Garrett Jones, 45, Caucasian, Stockton, California

Feb 11, 2009: Richard Lua, 28, Hispanic, San Jose, California

Feb 13, 2009: Rudolph Byrd, 37, Black, Thomasville, Georgia

Feb 13, 2009: Michael Jones, 43, Black, Iberia, Louisiana

Feb 14, 2009: Chenard Kierre Winfield, 32, Black, Los Angeles, California

Feb 28, 2009: Robert Lee Welch, 40, Caucasian, Conroe, Texas

Mar 22, 2009: Brett Elder, 15, Caucasian, Bay City, Michigan

Mar 26, 2009: Marcus D. Moore, 40, Black, Freeport, Illinois

Apr 1, 2009: John J. Meier Jr., 48, Caucasian, Tamarac, Florida

Apr 6, 2009: Ricardo Varela, 41, Hispanic, Fresno, California

Apr 10, 2009: Robert Mitchell, 16, Black, Detroit, Michigan

Apr 13, 2009: Craig Prescott, 38, Black, Modesto, California

Apr 16, 2009: Gary A. Decker, 50, Black, Tuscon, Arizona

Apr 18, 2009: Michael Jacobs Jr., 24, Black, Fort Worth, Texas

Apr 30, 2009: Kevin LaDay, 35, Black, Lumberton, Texas

May 4, 2009: Gilbert Tafoya, 53, Caucasian, Holbrook, Arizona

May 17, 2009: Jamaal Valentine, 27, Black, La Marque, Texas

May 23, 2009: Gregory Rold, 37, Black, Salem, Oregon

Jun 9, 2009: Brian Cardall, 32, Caucasian, Hurricane, Utah

Jun 13, 2009: Dwight Madison, 48, Black, Bel Air, Maryland

Jun 20, 2009 Derrek Kairney, 36, Race: Unknown, South Windsor, Connecticut

Jun 30, 2009, Shawn Iinuma, 37, Asian, Fontana, California

Jul 2, 2009, Rory McKenzie, 25, Black, Bakersfield, California

Jul 20, 2009, Charles Anthony Torrence, 35, Caucasion, Simi Valley, California

Jul 30, 2009, Johnathan Michael Nelson, 27, Caucasion, Riverside County, California

Aug 9, 2009, Terrace Clifton Smith, 52, Race: Unknown, Moreno Valley, California

Aug 12, 2009, Ernest Ridlehuber, 53, Race: Unknown, Greenville, South Carolina

Aug 14, 2009, Hakim Jackson, 31, Black, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Aug 18, 2009, Ronald Eugene Cobbs, 38, Black, Greensboro, North Carolina

Aug 20, 2009, Francisco Sesate, 36, Hispanic, Mesa, Arizona

Aug 22, 2009, T.J. Nance, 37, Race: Unknown, Arizona City, Arizona

Aug 26, 2009, Miguel Molina, 27, Hispanic, Los Angeles, California

Aug 27, 2009, Manuel Dante Dent, 27, Hispanic, Modesto, California

Sep 3, 2009, Shane Ledbetter, 38, Caucasian, Aurora, Colorado

Sep 16, 2009, Alton Warren Ham, 45, Caucasian, Modesto, California

Sep 19, 2009, Yuceff W. Young II, 21, Black, Brooklyn, Ohio

Sep 21, 2009, Richard Battistata, 44, Hispanic, Laredo, Texas

Sep 28, 2009, Derrick Humbert, 38, Black, Bradenton, Florida

Oct 2, 2009, Rickey Massey, 38, Black, Panama City, Florida

Oct 12, 2009, Christopher John Belknap, 36, Race: Unknown, Ukiah, California

Oct 16, 2009, Frank Cleo Sutphin, 19, Caucasian, San Bernadino, California

Oct 27, 2009, Jeffrey Woodward, 33, Race: Unknown, Gallatin, Tennessee

Nov 13, 2009, Herman George Knabe, 58, Caucasian, Corpus Christi, Texas

Nov 14, 2009, Darryl Bain, 43, Black, Coram, New York

Nov 16, 2009, Matthew Bolick, 30, Caucasian, East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Nov 19, 2009, Jesus Gillard, 61, Black, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Nov 21, 2009, Ronald Petruney, 49, Race: Unknown, Washington, Pennsylvania

Nov 27, 2009, Eddie Buckner, 53, Caucasian, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dec 11, 2009, Andrew Grande, 33, Caucasian, Oak County, Florida

Dec 11, 2009, Hatchel Pate Adams III, 36, Black, Hampton, Virginia

Dec 11, 2009, Paul Martin Martinez, 36, Hispanic, Roseville, California

Dec 13, 2009, Douglas Boucher, 39, Caucasian, Mason, Ohio

Dec 14, 2009, Linda Hicks, 62, Black, Toledo, Ohio

I think it is worth noting that at least 23 of these deaths of these taser-torture killings occurred against African Americans. We make up about 6% of the total population, yet 41% of the taser-related deaths in America this year are Black people (21 men and a 62-year old woman).

However, nothing seems to be able to stop the continued taser-related killings. I remain convinced that the 'Use of Force Continuum' needs to show tasers as 'near-lethal' ... definitely an error to claim that they are 'non-lethal'.

Something is wrong! I appreciate the 2,000 or so folks that have signed our online petition asking for congressional hearings on taser torture. I hope that you will join our effort on that date!

What say are your thoughts about these taser-related deaths?

Taser Autopsy: Edward Buckner (Chattanooga TN)

2009-12-15T20:30:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I think that powers-that-be feel that we are Boo Boo the Fool. Boo Boo used to fall for all the wacky statements made by Yogi the Bear. The Hamilton County Medical Examiner's office released the autopsy for 53-year old Edward Buckner earlier today. Villagers may recall that Mr. Buckner was shocked THREE TIMES by a rogue cop the day after Thanksgiving. Buckner died moments after the third time that 50,000 volts of electricity were pumped through his body.

So, what did the coroner, Dr. F.K. King conclude in his autopsy report?

Dr. King says that Mr. Buckner died of NATURAL CAUSES: "In my opinion the taser event did not cause the death or make significant contribution to the death. At autopsy there were no significant injuries or signs of foul play."

'NATURAL CAUSES'?!? Yeah, just call me Boo Boo the Fool.
Anyhow, you can read the entire Medical Examiner's Report.

Erlanger, where the taser-killing took place, has remained largely silent on the incident, saying that out of respect to all parties involved they won't comment on an ongoing criminal investigation. This afternoon, they released the following statement:

"With full recognition that this was an unfortunate and tragic event, we now know the results of the medical examiner's report and can now move forward and complete our own review. Once we have had the opportunity to study the full report from the medical examiner, as well as the results of the CPD investigation, we will complete a thorough internal review of this incident and respond accordingly."

I hope that somebody in the powers-that-be ivory tower get a little more honest in their reviews and investigations. 'Natural Causes' ain't gonna fly ... after all, WE AIN'T Boo-Boo-the-Fool!

Taser Death: Edward Buckner (Chattanooga TN)

2009-12-15T19:15:00.000-05:00

Edward "Eddie" Buckner, 53, was a man facing hard times. He recently lost his job, his house and he was depressed. He was being treated at Erlanger Hospital for dehydration due to diabetes. After treatment the the folks at Erlanger Hospital were releasing him to Moccasin Bend mental health facility.

When it was time to leave, his wife, Alice Buckner, says he told her he just wanted to go home. "He simply did not want to go back to Moccasin Bend," Buckner says."

Police say while they were trying to put Buckner in the van, he got combative with Erlanger Hospital and Hamilton County corrections officers. They wound up shocking him with a Taser. Once they subdued him, officers then loaded the 53-year-old into the van. But when they got to Moccasin Bend, Buckner was unresponsive. Officers drove him back to Erlanger. He was pronounced dead.

Two of the officers involved in the incident at Erlanger have checkered pasts with the Chattanooga Police Department.

Shane Webb, the same officer accused of shocking Buckner with a Taser, was fired in 2005 for using a Taser to stun two people while they were handcuffed. Leigh Noorbergen left CPD while on suspension for arresting a woman for no reason. Both wound up with new jobs as Erlanger officers.

"I told him bye, i loved him and that was the last time i talked to him," his wife says. "Y'all have to show me a camera, show my husband standing up there fighting with them before I believe them," Buckner says, fighting back tears.

African American Film Critics Association Selects 'Precious' as Top Film of 2009

2009-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Villagers will recall that this blog participated in an interview with Morgan Freeman about his role in 'Invictus'. We are proud to report that Mr. Freeman was selected as Best Actor 2009 for his role in that film!

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) named 'Precious' as the Best Picture of 2009. Directed by Lee Daniels, the Lionsgate release captured a majority vote by the organization, which is comprised of African American media professionals from across the nation. Founded in 2003, AAFCA announced this year’s honors at its first live event last night in Los Angeles.

Nicole Beharie earned AAFCA recognition as Best Actress 2009 for 'American Violet.' With the first unanimous vote in an acting category in the organization’s history, Mo’Nique was selected Best Supporting Actress for 'Precious.' Anthony Mackie earned Best Supporting Actor recognition for his performance in 'The Hurt Locker.' Lee Daniels was named Best Director for 'Precious,' with a tie for Best Screenplay between Ron Clements, Rob Edwards, John Musker for 'The Princess & The Frog' and Geoffrey Fletcher for 'Precious.'

“In 2009, the film community produced a dazzling array of performances from African-American talent both in front of and behind the camera,” states Gil Robertson IV, AAFCA Co-Founder. “This year’s selections give a strong indication that the film community is becoming more committed to a wider range of stories that entertain and educate.”

AAFCA bestows the Special Achievement Award to Michael Jackson, whose seminal film 'This Is It' captured a lifetime of exemplary creative expression.

The organization’s Top Ten list of film honors includes “Up In The Air,” “The Hurt Locker” and “Good Hair.”

“The films selected for 2009 reflect a fascinating combination of work that both entertains and addresses themes and issues of cultural importance,” remarks AAFCA President, Wilson Morales, editor of Blackfilm.com.

The African American Film Critics Association’s Top Ten Films of 2009 are as follows in order of distinction:

Best Actor - Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Best Actress - Nicole Beharie, “American Violet”
Best Supporting Actress - Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Best Supporting Actor - Anthony Mackie, “The Hurt Locker”
Best Director - Lee Daniels, “Precious”
Best Screenplay (tie) - Geoffrey Fletcher, "Precious" and R. Clements, R. Edwards, J. Musker, "The Princess & The Frog"
Special Achievement - Michael Jackson

Villagers, I have to admit that I haven't seen vast majority of the winning films. I plan to add all of them to my Netflix queue. I am grateful that AAFCA honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to Black communities, while emphasizing film about the Black experience and those produced, written, directed and starring performers of African descent.

Do you think that these 2009 award winners are right? Did AAFCA miss anything?

Taser Death: Douglas Boucher (Mason OH)

2009-12-14T21:45:00.001-05:00

Douglas Boucher, 39, was killed by tasers in suburban Cincinnati after a struggle that occurred less than a mile from his home. Mason police officers Daniel Fry and Sean McCormick jolted 50,000 volts of electricity from their taser guns into Boucher after he was involved in a crash at a local gas station. The man died just minutes later. [SOURCE]

Mason officers Fry and McCormick, who stopped at the station for drinks just after 11 p.m., say Boucher started harassing the store clerk. She asked officers for help after he allegedly made several profane sexual requests. She told officers Boucher made the same advances Saturday night.

The patrol officers, Daniel Fry and Sean McCormick, ordered Boucher outside.

Once outside, police said, he became combative. When they tried to handcuff Boucher, officers said he wrestled away, hitting Fry over the head with his cuffed hand and chasing after the station attendant. Fry was treated and released for his injury.

After one unsuccessful try, McCormick stunned Boucher with his gun. He hit the pavement "hard" and stopped breathing.

Officers performed CPR before a Mason EMS squad rushed him to West Chester Medical Center. Emergency crews were unable to revive him.

Butler County Coroner Richard Burkhardt said the autopsy has not been completed. He did not issue a preliminary cause of death.

Both Fry and McCormick have been placed on paid administrative leave. They’ve been with the department three years.

The department has no plans to change its Taser policy, and the Mason police chief says that it does not appear McCormick violated department rules. Mason officers, who all have carried X26 Tasers since Spring 2007, have never had any problems or deaths after using the devices, officials said.

Boucher was a musician who played bass for a couple of local bands including Hellcat Alley. Reached at their home in Marion, Ind., Boucher’s parents declined comment, saying they were still trying to learn all the details.

"I don’t even know what happened yet,” said Ernest Boucher, 68. "I know what they say, but I don’t know what happened."

Douglas Boucher has an 8-year-old daughter, Kathryn, who lives in Mason with his former wife and her husband. The couple gently broke the news of her father’s death to the girl on Monday morning.

"Our daughter was his light and inspiration and they enjoyed their visits tremendously. Today is a sad day for her," said Sheryl Olszewski, Boucher’s former wife. He was a very passionate person – passionate about his daughter, his music and living life fully," she said.

Boucher’s ex-wife did not address the incident at the gas station but did add: "I know of no drug abuse."

Villagers, this time is different. Mr. Boucher was not a criminal. He was not on drugs. He was not in an excited state of delirium. He was just a bloke who made an inappropriate pass at the wrong time and in the wrong place. The penalty for inappropriate sexual comments (WORDS) should never be death.

Something is horribly wrong with the way that tasers are being used around the nation. Too many people are dying.

What say u?

Family Accuses Roseville Police of Excessive Force in Taser-Killing of Paul Martinez

2009-12-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

The family of Paul Martinez publically protested his taser-related death. [VIDEO] Martinez's family held a protest outside the jail Sunday, holding signs accusing police officers of using excessive force against a man who was disabled in one arm. [SOURCE]

"We want to know, why was my ex-brother-in-law Tasered?" said Alison Watts. "He only has one arm, he's legally crippled, he had an SSI case pending. He was shot a year ago."

Martinez's family acknowledged his drug use and arrests, but said his past shouldn't turn the focus away from his death in police custody.

"He shouldn't have had meth on him, but because he had a drug problem he deserved to die?" Alison said.

Top 10 Villagers of the Year

2009-12-14T01:00:00.001-05:00

This blog tracked the top Black blogs for a number of years. We no longer have the Black Blog Rankings ... however, soulclap to Bookerista for giving us the idea of creating another list of the top Black bloggers out there. We've opened up the process to all villagers!

Which Black online presence - activist, blogger, expert, Facebook analyst, journalist, pundit or Twitterer - do you believe stood out this year and should be on the Top 10 list? Who made a special mark? Who do you believe should get special shine as 2009 Villager Of The Year? [NOTE: the Villager himself is not eligible!]

Put your nominations in the comments thread below, or email them to blog@elecvillage.com.

Taser Autopsy: Andrew Grande (Video)

2009-12-13T22:00:00.001-05:00

The powers-that-be in Bay County FL are working hard to blame Andrew Grande for his own demise. The Medical Examiner's Office says the preliminary cause of death for 23-year-old Andrew Grande is asphyxia. Authorities believe he choked to death because a plastic baggie of marijuana blocked his airway. [SOURCE]

It all started when Bay County Sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic dispute Friday morning. Deputies say Grande resisted arrest and tried to swallow a plastic bag full of marijuana. That's when at least one of the deputies shot him with a Taser to gain control.

They say Grande pulled the Taser probes out of his body, then began choking. Deputies performed the Heimlich maneuver, but he continued to choke. A paramedic pulled a plastic bag of marijuana from Grande's throat, but he was pronounced dead at Bay Medical Center.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the incident. All three of the deputies involved are on administrative leave over the weekend, and officials say that will be re-evaluated Monday.

The Medical Examiner's Office is waiting on the toxicology results before it can issue its formal report, which could take up to several months.

Taser Death: Paul Martinez (Roseville CA)

2009-12-13T14:45:00.001-05:00

Paul Martin Martinez, 36, was a bad man. He had a long criminal history. He didn't want to be incarcerated. All that being said, he didn't deserve to be killed from taser blasts by Roseville police officers while in custody.

Martinez was arrested on Friday evening after a traffic stop turned up meth inside the his vehicle.

After being taken to the jail, Martinez became combative during the booking process, requiring several officers to attempt to subdue him. An unidentified Roseville police sergeant zapped Martinez in the buttocks with 50,000 volts of electricity from his taser gun. Martinez fell unconscious and stopped breathing.

Roseville emergency crews administered CPR and Martinez was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just after 9 p.m.

The officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave.

The police appear to have gone taser-happy in the past week judging from the number of people that are dying while under police custody. I guess as long as the people being killed are bad there will not be a national uproar. I imagine that folks wont' get excited until one of these taser-related deaths to be a blue-eyed, blonde-hair victim.

What say u?

Black Poetry: T.A.S.E.R.

2009-12-13T08:45:00.000-05:00

Taser abuse is immortalized in the following poem by Daroc. Enjoy the flow...

Taser While Black
Suddenly seen from escape goats
The scarecrow
Sparsely filled with rags
Full life size
Imitation of life like
Eyes on the prize type
Tom moved swift
New invention
Shooting flesh
Without leaving holes
Volts replaced bullets
Animals clothed
January 9th
Derrick Jones*
17*
Martinsville Virginia

Hunters hunting game
Seeking salute
Collecting priceless ivory
Tally mark
Leaving
One death per week this year
February 13th*
*37 years in
Rudolph Byrd
ThomasvilleGeorgia*

As “Peace officers”
Show off their new pieces
Target practice
On the backs of blacks
Trying to get the highest score
Of torture and execute the harmless
Not responding quickly
Marcus d. Moore, forty,
Freeport Illinois
March 26th*

Facts of creation
'69 to aim shots
Since 1974, they practiced
Hit miss
Below centre mass
Stimulating sensory nerves
Palpating hearts
Seeking brains the wiz never gave
Sweet sixteen
Robert Mitchell
Hit Detroit streets
April 10th*
*
Thomas A. Swift electric rifle
Split seconds
erupts currents
Incapacitating muscles and strength
They blamed faulty batteries
on Rodney king
Riots produced
It took 5 seconds past minutes
To Spark hate
Disposable camera’s recycled
Captured deaths on voltage
Another slain
Salem Oregon
Gregory Rold
May 23rd
37.*

It’s the
21st century lynching
Creation
Slaying 3 headed monsters
Lose limbs left lifeless
Scarecrow like
Without reload
X3
Highly praised
Without price
How much does it cost?
Only all civil liberties
June 13, Dwight Madison, 48, Maryland
July 2nd, Roy McKenzie, 25, Cali
August 14th Hakim Jackson, 31, Philly
Either one could have been me
Without reload.*

*And so as Tom aims to hunt elephants
In the mother land
He inspires
Jack Cover,
NASA researcher to probe deaths
into formulation
Another slain not by gunfire
Left uncounted
Yuceff W. Young
Age 21
Brooklyn Ohio
September 19th.

*All at the hands
Tom A. Swift’s Electric Rifle.
The TASER.

You've read the poem. What do you think?

Taser Death: Hatchel Pate Adams III (Hampton VA)

2009-12-12T12:45:00.001-05:00

Hatchel Pate Adams III, 36, was in his own home when he was killed by two jolts from police taser guns. Hampton police officers went to his home at 11:00 pm to serve an emergency custody order. Someone wanted Adams to be taken for a mental evaluation to determine whether he was a threat to himself or others. Adams didn't open the door for the police. The police called a family member who came with a key to the house. [SOURCE]

Once inside, Adams swung a samurai-style sword at the officers, who subsequently Tasered him. Adams pulled the Taser probes out and continued to swing the sword at the officers. He was Tasered a second time and stopped breathing.

Officers immediately started CPR and called medics, who took Adams to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 am on Friday.

The four officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave per Hampton Police Division policy while an internal investigation is conducted.

Gunfighter provided a comprehensive look at the use of force continuum. It is hard to believe that four Hampton police officers couldn't have used something less than a taser gun to put this young man in custody.

What say u?

Taser Autopsy: Matthew Bolick (East Grand Rapids MI)

2009-12-12T02:15:00.000-05:00

Matthew Bolick, 30, died after being tasered multiple times by Sgt. Brian Davis and Ofc. Gary Parker. Villagers may recall that these police officers felt that they couldn't restrain 5'6" Bolick ... despite his slight 150-pound frame. They jolted him with their taser guns ... and they are still on suspension.

However, Davis and Parker received good news this week. A medical investigator has ruled the death of an East Grand Rapids man who was Tasered by police "natural."

Matthew Bolick died of acute exhaustive mania, which also is known as excited delirium syndrome, said Dr. David Start of the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office. Start said the death was brought on by a psychiatric disorder.

Is it just me? Or does it stretch your imagination too much to believe that this young man died of "natural causes" as the coroner ruled?

Taser Death: Andrew Grande (Bay County FL)

2009-12-11T21:15:00.002-05:00

Andrew Grande, 33, messed with the wrong deputies from the Bay County Sherriff's Office (BCSO) and it resulted in yet another taser-related death. Three deputies responded to a physical disturbance call from a female victim of assault at a local hotel. [SOURCE]

The cops located Grande in the parking lot of the hotel. The police say that Grande attempted to flee, but the deputies stopped him and placed a handcuff on one wrist. The police say that Grande attempted to swallow something a bag of marijuana with his other hand.

Police say that Grande was able to free himself and stand. Deputies jolted Grande with at least 50,000 volts of electricity from a taser gun. Shortly thereafter deputies observed that Grande seemed to be choking and attempted to use the Heimlich maneuver on Grande but were unsuccessful. Deputies continued to provide aid until EMS arrived. Grande was transported to Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Oak County Sheriff Frank McKeithen requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) conduct the investigation of this incident and extended his sympathy to the family of Mr. Grande.

A deputy injured during the physical altercation with Grande has been treated and released from Gulf Coast Medical Center. The three deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave per BCSO policy.

Andrew Grande did a stupid thing by having marijuana, assaulting a woman and running from the police. However, the penalty for those things should NOT be death. Grande should be DEATH. The police should not be able to use their taser as a form of extra-judicial electrocution.

What are your thoughts as you learn of this taser-related death?

Taser Lawsuit: Alton Hall (Modesto CA)

2009-12-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Alton Hall, 45, died after a taser was used on him while in police custody at the Modesto jail. Police officials claim that the taser was used in an appropriate manner. Hall's family disagrees. The family submitted a claim against the county, alleging negligent jail officials are responsible for his death.

The claim states "the county of Stanislaus and its employees did not adhere to the restrictions on the use of the Tasers and as a result thereof Alton Ham died."

The claim is a possible precursor to the family filing a lawsuit against the county, seeking damages.

Read more.

President Obama Accepts Nobel Peace Prize and Shares His Thoughts on 'War and Peace'

2009-12-10T17:15:00.001-05:00

This morning the President spoke at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony at the Oslo City Hall. His speech accepting the prize was well worth reading in full, an excerpt is below:

Of course, we know that for most of history, this concept of "just war" was rarely observed. The capacity of human beings to think up new ways to kill one another proved inexhaustible, as did our capacity to exempt from mercy those who look different or pray to a different God. Wars between armies gave way to wars between nations -- total wars in which the distinction between combatant and civilian became blurred. In the span of 30 years, such carnage would twice engulf this continent. And while it's hard to conceive of a cause more just than the defeat of the Third Reich and the Axis powers, World War II was a conflict in which the total number of civilians who died exceeded the number of soldiers who perished.

In the wake of such destruction, and with the advent of the nuclear age, it became clear to victor and vanquished alike that the world needed institutions to prevent another world war. And so, a quarter century after the United States Senate rejected the League of Nations -- an idea for which Woodrow Wilson received this prize -- America led the world in constructing an architecture to keep the peace: a Marshall Plan and a United Nations, mechanisms to govern the waging of war, treaties to protect human rights, prevent genocide, restrict the most dangerous weapons.

In many ways, these efforts succeeded. Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed. But there has been no Third World War. The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall. Commerce has stitched much of the world together. Billions have been lifted from poverty. The ideals of liberty and self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced. We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud.

And yet, a decade into a new century, this old architecture is buckling under the weight of new threats. The world may no longer shudder at the prospect of war between two nuclear superpowers, but proliferation may increase the risk of catastrophe. Terrorism has long been a tactic, but modern technology allows a few small men with outsized rage to murder innocents on a horrific scale.

Moreover, wars between nations have increasingly given way to wars within nations. The resurgence of ethnic or sectarian conflicts; the growth of secessionist movements, insurgencies, and failed states -- all these things have increasingly trapped civilians in unending chaos. In today's wars, many more civilians are killed than soldiers; the seeds of future conflict are sown, economies are wrecked, civil societies torn asunder, refugees amassed, children scarred.

I do not bring with me today a definitive solution to the problems of war. What I do know is that meeting these challenges will require the same vision, hard work, and persistence of those men and women who acted so boldly decades ago. And it will require us to think in new ways about the notions of just war and the imperatives of a just peace.

What are your thoughts about the President's speech today in Oslo? Are you proud that he won the Nobel Peace Prize?

(Th)ink by Keith Knight: Extreme Home Takeover

2009-12-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

(Th)ink is an editorial cartoon written and drawnby cartoonist Keith Knight (the K Chronicles).

Wordless Wednesday: Pray for Obama to Die?

2009-12-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

Taser Autopsy: Derrick Humbert (Bradenton FL)

2009-12-08T22:00:00.001-05:00

The coroner down in Bradenton, FL indicates that the 50,000 volts of electricity zapped by a taser gun into 38-year old Derrick Humbert back on September 28 played a minor role in his death one hour later. [SOURCE]

Dr. Russell Vega works for the medical examiner's office. Vega says that Humbert's death was 'accidental'. He blames the death on cocaine toxicity and heart disease.

"His heart was enlarged. He had at least one large blockage," Dr. Russell Vega said in an interview today. "We see that as a cause of death by itself."

So ... let's recap. Humbert riding on his bicycle a few blocks from his home. Two Bradenton police officers stop him for not having a light affixed to the front of his bicycle. Humbert tries to run. Police officer Del Shiflett shot him with a taser. An hour later he is dead.

One moment he is alive. The next hour he is dead. And the powers-that-be in Bradenton insist that the taser shot did not cause Humbert’s death.

"If it did, it appears to be have been a minor role or none. There’s no way to confirm that," Vega said. "We simply couldn’t find any evidence the Taser played a role."

The death investigation is expected to be completed this week. A Bradenton Police Department’s internal review of the incident should wrap up next week.

I understand that the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights group that opposes the use of Tasers, is scheduled to meet with officials at Bradenton Police Department about the incident later this week.

Tune In Tuesday: Happy Birthday to Flip Wilson

2009-12-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

On this date in 1933, Flip Wilson was born. He was an African American entertainer and the most visible Black comedian of the early 1970s.

He was born in Jersey City, N.J., the tenth of 24 children. Clerow Wilson (his given name) was a troublesome and troubled child in his youth. His family was extremely poor, he ran away from several reform schools, and was ultimately raised in foster homes. His comedic talents first surfaced while he was serving in the Air Force overseas. While in the Pacific, Wilson entertained his buddies with preposterous routines. Upon his return to civilian life he had to settle for a day job as a bellhop along with part-time showmanship.

Opportunity found him in 1959 when a Miami businessman sponsored him for one year for $50 per week, enabling him to concentrate on the work he loved. For the next five years,Flip Wilson appeared regularly at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Tonight Show was his next stop. in 1965, he began a series of nationwide appearances, followed by long-term contracts and a number of hit records. With "The Flip Wilson Show" in the early 1970s, he became the first African American to have a weekly prime-time television show under his own name.

I remember watching Flip Wilson when I was a kid. The two catch phrases that stick with me are: "What you see is what you get!" and "The devil made me do it!" Could Tyler Perry have been successful with Madea without Flip Wilson's portrayal of Geraldine?

Wilson died November 25, 1998 at the age of 64. Rest in peace Mr. Wilson!

Opposition Grows Against Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

2009-12-07T11:15:00.000-05:00

Senator Joe Lieberman is not shy about stating his opposition to any public option in the proposed health care reform legislation. He is losing support in his own state for this point of view. The guy who chaired the 'Connecticut for Lieberman' campaign starred in a new TV ad that is playing in Connecticut and Washington DC today.

I encourage villagers ... especially those of you that live in the state of Connecticut ... to sign the online petition calling on Senator Lieberman to represent his constituents ... and not the health insurance lobbyists.

Rebecca Davis Uses Ballet Dancing to Save Darfur

2009-12-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

Soulclap to Save Darfur for introducing us to Rebecca Davis, an entrepreneur, dancer and activist who has used the arts to bring attention to violence against women in Darfur. As Creative Director of her own ballet company, Rebecca choreographed and premiered the first contemporary ballet about the conflict in Sudan, entitled DARFUR - the proceeds of which fund humanitarian work in-country.

In DARFUR, a woman is brutally raped by a group of Janjaweed soldiers. The ballet explores both the attack itself and the long-term emotional and relational repercussions of her attack. Through dance, Rebecca educates her audience about this important issue.

Refugees International Fights Sexual Violence in Sudan

2009-12-05T16:15:00.000-05:00

Soulclap to Save Darfur for highling the work of Refugees International (RI). RI is known for their tireless advocacy on behalf of displaced people in crisis areas worldwide, and their incredible work to combat sexual violence in Sudan.

In 2007, RI released a report on how Sudanese law negatively affects rape survivors - detailing barriers to justice that many Darfuri women face and the immunity from prosecution their attackers frequently enjoy. RI's continuing dedication to ensuring lifesaving services and lasting solutions for displaced people, and their unique emphasis on displaced women, has made them one of the most impressive groups working for women in Sudan today.

Save Darfur joins RI in bringing attention to the unacceptable situation in Sudan. Save Darfur folks put together a collection of recent resources and reports related to sexual violence. Due to the barriers the Sudanese government continues to construct for human rights organizations, gathering information for these reports is a labor-intensive, difficult and often dangerous process. Yet each report provides an invaluable perspective on and analysis of conditions on the ground, as well as diplomatic and humanitarian steps that must be taken to address them. In the realm of advocacy, knowledge truly is power.

Morgan Freeman Talks About His Movie, 'Invictus'

2009-12-04T15:30:00.001-05:00

Soulclap to Ava DuVernay for inviting the Electronic Village to participate in a press conference with Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman to discuss his upcoming film, Invictus. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood, the movie stars Oscar winner Morgan Freeman as 'Nelson Mandela', along with Oscar winner Matt Damon. The film chronicles Mandela's first term as president after the fall of apartheid as he attempted to unite his countrymen by hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Morgan Freeman was the driving force to bring this movie to the big screen. I didn't realize until today that Freeman is co-founder of Revelations Entertainment. He uses this company to develop films that 'enlighten, express heart, and glorify the human experience'. Revalations Entertainment bought the rights to John Carlin's book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation, a few years ago. Freeman had been studying Nelson Mandela since they met over 12 years ago. He has been searching for the right project all that time.

"This was a labor of love," said Freeman. "I wanted to do a story about Mandela for a long time ... this was the right time ... this was meant to be. I'm a big believer in fate. I memorized the poem, Invictus, when I was in the 8th grade!"

Freeman indicates that he wanted Clint Eastwood to direct the film from the very beginning. Villagers may recall that the Eastwood-Freeman team has been magical in the past on such films as Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby.

"I sent him (Eastwood) the script. He read it and called me back to say he would like to direct it", said Freeman. "Clint Eastwood is an actor's dream. He is a consummate professional. Quite simply, he is the best."

Mr. Freeman indicated that he was 'not intimidated' by playing a living legend in this movie. He noted with a chuckle that he is a 'professional actor'. However, he did acknowledge that there were some intimidating aspects in playing this role.

"There have been a number of actors, such as Danny Glover and Sidney Poitier, who have played Mandela before. I learned my lines in the script ... his walk ... the way that he talks ... then I add in the other nuances of Mandela. The biggest challenge is to remember to sound like him. If there is going to be an area where I fail in this movie it would be in whether or not my voice sounded enough like that of Mandela."

I was struck by the passion that Mr. Freeman felt for this story and for Mr. Mandela. He talked about filming that took place at the Robben Island ... and how awestruck he and the other actors were as they realized the confined space that held Mr. Mandela for over a quarter-century.

Mr. Freeman indicated that Nelson Mandela has not yet seen the film. However, the staff of the Mandela Foundation did screen the movie recently. They were very pleased with the movie which was important to Freeman as the people closest to Mandela "are likely to be the harshest critics". Mr. Freeman will be in South Africa next week with Mr. Mandela. He is hopeful to have a chance to watch the movie with the former South African president.

Mr. Freeman noted that he doesn't usually watch his own movies.

"I don't watch my movies. I trained as a stage actor. I know whether my performance is good or not from the immediate reaction of the audience."

I asked Mr. Freeman to comment on the current state of affairs for the Black Cinema. Specifically, I was curious to hear what, in his opinion, the public ... villagers like you and me ... could do to improve the state of the Black Cinema.

"Tyler Perry is doing a great deal in this area right now with his studio in Atlanta. He is producing movies and showing others that it is possible to be successful with that formula. I imagine that others interested in advancing the Black Cinema would use Tyler Perry as a role model."

Finally, I noticed that Mr. Freeman's career has him with scores of film roles ... however, I noticed that he only had one credit as a director. He directed the 1993 film, 'Bopha', starring Danny Glover. I wanted to know if Mr. Freeman planned on getting behind the camera again in the future as a director.

"I have no plans to direct. I prefer to be an actor. I like to get in to a character or a role ... finish it ... and move on to the next acting assignment. Directing requires almost a year of commitment with all of the pre-production, production and post-production work. Quite frankly, I'm too lazy to be a director!"

Well, villagers, I must admit that I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with Morgan Freeman. He was gracious and seemed to be very comfortable in his own skin. His movie, Invictus comes out next week. I plan to go see it. How about you?