Cop’s attorney: He thought Philando Castile was a robbery suspect
The attorney for a police officer charged in the killing of Philando Castile ways the officer believed he was a robbery suspect.
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)Click here for reuse options!…Castile had no felony record and authorities have not said he was a suspect in any crime.
But attorney Thomas Kelly tells the Star Tribune newspaper that Officer Jeronimo Yanez thought the 32-year-old Castile looked like someone police had been seeking in a recent robbery.
Castile’s girlfriend was in the vehicle. She has said Castile was reaching for his wallet when he was shot, after telling officers he had a gun and a permit for it.
Kelly told The Associated Press that Yanez was reacting to the seeing that gun when he drew his own weapon.
Copyright 2016 Liberaland
24 responses to Cop’s attorney: He thought Philando Castile was a robbery suspect
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abbyjo2001 July 11th, 2016 at 14:28
Bullshit
labman57 July 11th, 2016 at 15:20
Ah, the “Oops!” defense.
wpadon July 11th, 2016 at 15:28
All the more reason he should not be a cop
Red Mann July 11th, 2016 at 15:46
Undoubtedly, he’ll walk, “I feared for my life, I thought he was a criminal and I didn’t know he had a gun until he went for it.”
Suzanne McFly July 11th, 2016 at 16:18
I am sure the GF did not feel the need to record what occurred from the beginning (good, honest people normally do not fear the police), I wish she did though. This officer would have no way to get around his actions.
whatthe46 July 11th, 2016 at 16:46
It appears that any time you’re being pulled over you MUST start the camera rolling.
Suzanne McFly July 11th, 2016 at 17:42
Apparently so, but I understand why she didn’t know what was about to happen. Not everyone lives in a world where they feel they will need to protect themselves 27/7 (except gun nuts of course) and she will now be told time and time again how she should of recorded it from the beginning. I hope she won’t feel bad for her actions, she lived her life as a regular person lives theirs, but no more.
StoneyCurtisll July 12th, 2016 at 06:39
Dont forget this classic…
“he went for his waistband”….
Hirightnow July 11th, 2016 at 15:49
Recently, in my town, there was a program by the local PD entitled “Lock It or Lose It”, which basically put forth the notion that the police couldn’t stop crime from happening, so you should protect yourself and your belongings.
Fair enough; what with patrolling the upscale neighborhoods in search of bicycle riders without lights, and stopping people who are white who walk past known “black” sections of town, one can see why they might be understaffed in some areas.
I get that; the police don’t always have the time to be 100% police.
But here was a man who not only possessed a CCL, but WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO TELL THE OFFICER THIS FACT, AND THE FACT THAT HE WAS LEGALLY ARMED (Law-abiding citizens needn’t do this;it is a courtesy on their part if they are carrying legally), only to be shot like a rabid dog, for no other reason than “We had a report that some black guy did something”?
No.
Send this sad excuse for a man to a cell for numerous years, as an “example” to other “thugs” like him. It’s called “Justice”, wherein everyone is treated equally before the law.
.
.
.
Or do I owe little Tiffany an apology?
Gary Parillo July 11th, 2016 at 15:54
It remains absolutely crucial that the courts and public know,Did the officer tell him to keep his hands on that steering wheel! Was the other occupant of vehicle recording at the first few seconds of the encounter? There are other factors of this case that do not make sense,yet.That was a horrible video of that shooting,But what occured prior to the shooting?? As horrible as that was,and it touched me very deeply,in all fairness to all parties involved,we should reserve harsh judgement until all facts are made known.
whatthe46 July 11th, 2016 at 16:44
We know he lied when he told them he stopped him for a broken tail light. We know he informed him that he was licensed to carry. We know there was a baby in the car. How many robbers do you know get pulled over and inform the cop they have a gun?
Gary Parillo July 11th, 2016 at 17:14
I understand your outrage.I felt it also.But there are many facts that need confirmed,or it will come down to cops word,and the ladies word.Honestly,WE DONT KNOW if he told him that.We only know the lady (sorry i forgot her name) said he told him he had a gun.Again i ask what was the verbal exchange prior to the shooting?The officer will state something else,I guarantee you that.Then what?Whos word will be believed in a court?The only other witness that we know of at this point is a child.Are there recorded transcripts of the pd dispatch.The claim is that he thought he may have been a robbery suspect.The conversation between the officer and dispatch before the approach is probably recorded.It also is crucial in that it will reveal the officers state of mind.And yes,pulling over for a tail light is often used as an excuse to check out someone that they deem suspicious.Many actuall real bad guys have been caught using that technic.Im not saying the deceased was a bad guy,just saying even though that procedure seems deceptive,it has resulted in getting real bad actors off the street.Please understand,I am not taking sides,I am only saying what needs to be known in all fairness to all parties.
Gary Parillo July 11th, 2016 at 17:46
Understood,but we only at this point have the ladies verbal word that he said he had a gun.
whatthe46 July 11th, 2016 at 21:18
well how in the hell would his executioner know he had one? wait, wait, wait, because he told him.
arc99 July 11th, 2016 at 17:17
Nothing will change the fact that an otherwise law abiding citizen is dead.
Regardless of what occurred prior to the shooting, Mr. Castile should still be alive. That fact alone tells me that harsh judgement is exactly what is needed.
The man clearly told the officer he had a firearm. If the officer was so fearful, all he had to do was to order the man to keep his hands on the wheel, while he called for backup. If this needless death does not warrant harsh judgement, apparently nothing does and that is exactly what #BlackLivesMatter is all about..
Gary Parillo July 11th, 2016 at 17:42
I also support the blm, and agree that very harsh should be given.I also agree that as far as we know the deceased was a law abiding citizen , and sounds like a good person.But still all these other factors need to be known.If he told the officer he had a gun,it doesnt seem likely that the cop would ask for registration and license without first asking him where the gun was located.And i repeat,it will be word against word unless the first moments of verbal exchange were recorded.Was this cop ever disiplined before for excessive force?All these factors will need to be revealed.I know it sounds harsh,but it is the crucial evidence they will attempt to discover.
amersham1046 July 11th, 2016 at 17:28
A rather thin alibi, and too much after the fact
Comicus July 11th, 2016 at 18:18
Well, he was a black man and apparently all black men look alike to policemen.
MrBoots July 11th, 2016 at 21:00
From what I’ve read, unless she did start her camera as soon as Castile lowers his window, it is a “He said, She said.” As she recorded it, the officer yelled to her that he had ordered Castile not to move, and she immediately replied that he had not, that he asked Castile to show his ID/CCW, and he was complying. Can’t speculate the officer’s level of training.
Any class I’ve heard of and every article I’ve read drills into you not move until the officer asks where is your firearm and then instructs you how to let him take control of your firearm. Not to do anything without specific instruction.
One of them lost it in some manner and Castile lost his life. Without video or witnesses, “He said, She said.”
whatthe46 July 11th, 2016 at 21:17
only we know that he’s given 2 versions. he recognized this may be a person involved in some robbery (which he doesn’t state when or where) by his damn NOSE!!
bpollen July 12th, 2016 at 00:38
I find it hard to believe that you can glean adequate identifying details by driving by in traffic. And as we keep hearing, witness testimony is of dubious value – 70% of DNA-based exonerations are in cases based on witness ID. Hell, I’ve driven right by people I know and didn’t realize it. And I should believe that he can see maybe 10% of a face with sufficient clarity to connect him with a suspect?
whatthe46 July 12th, 2016 at 01:05
i don’t know if there was even any such thing as a robbery. notice he mentioned nothing about the car this “robber” was driving. but, a black man with a nose on his face. was there a picture in his vehicle? did he study said picture? when was this “robbery?” 2 months ago. 15 mins prior? he’s a lying pos. period.
bpollen July 12th, 2016 at 01:11
I would find it pretty easy to believe he approached it this way:
“Well, the robber was black, and this guy’s black, so…”
whatthe46 July 12th, 2016 at 01:31
there ya go.