- Apr 21, 2007
- 8,971
- 5,594
Cop Cleared In Killing Of Unarmed Man In Marijuana Raid
By Steve Elliott in News
The Las Vegas police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Trevon Cole during a June drug raid over small-time marijuana sales was "justified," a coroner's inquest found Saturday night, despite contradictory findings from the medical examiner.
Cole, 21, and his eight-months-pregnant fianc?, Sequoia Pearce, 20, were at their apartment when police serving a search warrant burst through the door, reports Phillip Smith at StoptheDrugWar.org. Cole was shot in the bathroom by Detective Bryan Yant who, in testimony Saturday, said he kicked in the bathroom door and claimed he saw Cole squatting by the toilet, apparently flushing marijuana.
Yant claimed he saw Cole rise to his feet "while moving his hands in a shooting motion" and that he saw something silvery or metallic in Cole's hand. He then fired once, killing Cole.
"Unfortunately, he made an aggressive act toward me," claimed Yant under questioning from Assistant District Attorney Chris Owens. "He made me do my job."
It's unfortunate that Detective Yant believes "his job" is shooting and killing unarmed marijuana suspects.
?Owens questioned Yant sharply at times, suggested the officer's weapon had accidentally discharged as he busted through the door. Owens cited the position of Cole's body on the floor and the downward trajectory of the bullet as it entered his cheek before lodging in his neck, which suggests that Cole was still kneeling when shot.
READ MORE: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2010/08/cop_cleared_in_killing_of_unarmed_man_in_marijuana.php
By Steve Elliott in News
The Las Vegas police officer who shot and killed an unarmed Trevon Cole during a June drug raid over small-time marijuana sales was "justified," a coroner's inquest found Saturday night, despite contradictory findings from the medical examiner.
Cole, 21, and his eight-months-pregnant fianc?, Sequoia Pearce, 20, were at their apartment when police serving a search warrant burst through the door, reports Phillip Smith at StoptheDrugWar.org. Cole was shot in the bathroom by Detective Bryan Yant who, in testimony Saturday, said he kicked in the bathroom door and claimed he saw Cole squatting by the toilet, apparently flushing marijuana.
Yant claimed he saw Cole rise to his feet "while moving his hands in a shooting motion" and that he saw something silvery or metallic in Cole's hand. He then fired once, killing Cole.
"Unfortunately, he made an aggressive act toward me," claimed Yant under questioning from Assistant District Attorney Chris Owens. "He made me do my job."
It's unfortunate that Detective Yant believes "his job" is shooting and killing unarmed marijuana suspects.
?Owens questioned Yant sharply at times, suggested the officer's weapon had accidentally discharged as he busted through the door. Owens cited the position of Cole's body on the floor and the downward trajectory of the bullet as it entered his cheek before lodging in his neck, which suggests that Cole was still kneeling when shot.
READ MORE: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2010/08/cop_cleared_in_killing_of_unarmed_man_in_marijuana.php