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Investigation of police shooting of teen moved to U.S. Attorney’s Office
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“There are a lot of allegations out there and a lot to be investigated,” Mayor Adrian Fenty said Wednesday.
D.C. police turned the probe over to the federal authorities, Fenty said, to ensure that the public understands that his administration is taking the fatal shooting of DeOnte Rawlings seriously and to do everything possible to maintain the public’s trust.
Police said that officers James Haskel, 44, and Anthony Clay, 43, were searching for a mini-bike while wearing civilian clothes and in a personal car after learning that the bike had been stolen from Haskel’s garage.
The officers spotted DeOnte on a mini-bike at about 7:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Atlantic Street SE and confronted him, police said. Rawlings fired three shots, striking the vehicle, police said. Haskel, a 22-year veteran, got out of the car to chase the teen and fired eight rounds. DeOnte was struck in the head.
The second officer was identified Wednesday as Clay. Police have yet to recover the weapon and mini-bike.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier said there were a lot of people and noise in the courtyard where the teenager was shot and the weapon and minibike could have been taken in the chaos.
But D.C. Police Spokeswoman Traci Hughes would not say last night whether anyone had reported the theft of a mini-bike to authorities before the shooting.
Lanier said it was too early to determine whether her officers committed any wrongdoing, but she was concerned that the police policy was unclear about what actions off-duty officers can take when they learn of a crime. She said it’s not standard practice for an officer to investigate a burglary of his own home.
This was the second fatal shooting involving an off-duty D.C. police officer in less than three months. In July, a 23-year-old was killed by an off-duty officer responding to the sound of gunshots in Northeast Washington, police said.
smccabe@dcexaminer.com
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Pro MPDC said:
At least this case was acted on in a timely fashion, lets hope they start to take notice of the other 100+ pending cases thay haven't even been touched yet.
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Another MPD Supporter said:
I haven't seen anything from the autopsy indicating the caliber of bullet that killed the kid... are we sure the bullet even came from the officer's gun?? Where are the rest of the facts?
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Congratulations FOP President Muzzatti! It is time for everyone that wears blue to stand up to politicians that dont appreciate what our police go through every day.The citizens of the District of Columbia should be outraged at the mayors conduct and lack of support for the law enforcement community. Thank you for sending this clear signal to the mayor that the police are fed up with his conduct.
7 agree | 4 disagree
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MPD Supporter said:
This is a previous post but I felt the need to post it again just to make sure Haskel and Clay understand.... Haskel and Clay.... WE, your brothers and sisters IN LAW, are with you, behind you, beside you, every step of the way! WE applaude your patience with letting this rediculous investigation run it's course. Only a truly riteous person could have risen above all of it. WE are proud to see that despite all the lies, rumors and hateful statements that have been made about you, you have managed to maintained your professionalism and handle the hard times with dignity. They are not over yet, but the day will come when they will be. Until then, be strong and KNOW that we are going through this WITH you! Much Love brothers, MUCH LOVE!
5 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Let's keep this real simple: You shoot at the police, they are going to shoot back...period! The officers are the real victims in this case. Police: Keep up your good work cleaning our streets of the scum and villainy; whether it's a 14 year old thug or a 100 dirt bag!
9 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Mayor Fenty and Chief Lanier owe these two officers an apology. The officers are the victims in this case. They feared for their life, were being shot at, had bullet holes in their vehicle from Deonte, and did the only thing they could do...shoot back and survive. God Bless the men and woman who serve us everyday. Mayor Fenty, you have lost the respect of the entire police department..good job sir.
8 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
According to the Post, no gun shot residue tests were done on Mr. DeOnte with cops saying it was have been "inconclusive"! I find that quite odd since he was supposed to have fired this imaginary gun. Of course, if the gun that was fired was the cop's throw down and he picked it up...then no gun and the test would have been negative. Shot in the BACK of the HEAD...what was the threat??? that he would get away??? It's damn hard to fire a gun while you are running away. This treat must be a kin to Bush's WMDs!!!! Just another case of police sanctioned murder!!!!! And these murders want respect...good luck with that
6 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The father doesn't care about the money but about justice? Sure your right. If he put this much time, energy and enthusiasm into his son when he was here, imagine what the boy could, should, and would have been. So now the tax payers of this city, who have been supporting you and all your offspring to some extent or another your whole life, are now supposed to give up a lump some of money because while we were paying your rent, groceries and utilities, you couldn't find time to properly raise your son? Puhleez.
12 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
DeOnte Rawling's got exactly what he deserved. He was a bad seed and this world is much better off without him here. Chalk one up to the Police Department !
10 agree | 10 disagree
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S. Baylor said:
The Family of D. Rawling's knew what kind of life that young boy was leading. They are acting like it wasn't possible for him to fire a gun at the police. I am disturbed at the fact the DC Officials sided with the Rawlings. This is one case I knew from the start that the DC Police weren't wrong. Now in other cases I couldn't say the same. The icing on the cake is when his friend shot his girl in the face.....that's when the gun was found that Rawlings fired! R.I.P young man I hope...mothers pay attention to their children's actions...and stop blamimg the streets for how your child is raise...LOOK AT YOURSELVES!!!!!!
11 agree | 5 disagree
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DC Resident said:
I have raised two children in the same area of this incident,both of whom graduated from Ballou High school, I got involved in my children's school and there where abouts.In this area, I see kids like D'onte every day skipping or school dropouts just roaming the streets with out any parental guideance, so they travel in packs, rob, destroy property for no reason at all except to be distructive( victim to many times to count)and terrorize the neighborhood but when something happen to them for their distructive behavior, out comes the family railing about how perfect their child was. The only sympathy I have is for those ignorant parents for their negligence in providing parental guidence and now attempting to profit from it.
10 agree | 4 disagree
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DC Resident said:
Thank you to the Examiner for being the only media source in town to tell this story from the perspective of the officers, instead of the kid's family, who is suing for $100 million of taxpayers' money. These officers shot back when fired upon. They did nothing wrong and I for one am sorry that they have felt a lack of support. The officers should know that many of us in this city are on their side, and are glad they have hung in there to return to their jobs. Please, Chief Lanier, give these officers the support they deserve and stand up for your force.
9 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We all know that most kids in that part of town, generally have no parental control and more than likely possessed the weapon with his parent's knowledge. Witnesses won't come forward because friends and relatives in that area tend to protect their own. The youth unfortunately received what he deserved. At least DeOnte is one less criminal off the street. RETURN the officers to work, and lets move on with life
12 agree | 13 disagree
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VoiceOfReason said:
I hope you all never have to experience the lost of a child for any reason, especially under the circumstances of Rawlings. How do some of you just determine that a 14 year old child's life has no value? You must not have children. People make mistakes in life. We all have. Most of you have taken something without permission, should you be shot and killed for it, no. The killing was unjustifiable. That child did not shoot at the officers had it been so the case would have been closed by now. Let's take our racial biasness and classist attitudes out of this. Stop all assumptions and only look at the facts of the incident. The officer had a stolen bike that he should have called in and reported. He did not. He took matters into his own hands and as a result a child is dead. The officer knew better and was supposed to have been trained better. What would happen if we all decided to just take the laws into our own hands? Chaos.
8 agree | 10 disagree
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Concerned Citizen said:
There is 2 sides to this story (1) Donte knew the bike was stolen shouldn't have been on ie (2) the police were looking for the bike beacuse it was a police bike but the other side of this is that when cars are stolen they don't look that hard for them. We can not be the judge and jury time will tell.
5 agree | 8 disagree
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Concerned Black Mother said:
I am really apalled of how our communities of parents, soon to be parents, wanna be parents and would have been parents are presenting themselves to the actions of officers who so called say they knew the child but killed the child shooting him in the BACK of the head over stolen material. Now I'm sure you remember the man who killed the kid for vandalizing his vehicle who is now serving time in jail. I think the cops should go to jail too. They are here to protect and set good examples for Us citizens but you see everyday where there are cops who doesn't care about no one because they have a BADGE and GUN. No sin is greater than the next. Instead of JUDGING why not come up with some other options. When the truth come out all will have their day in court. And I don't mean the judicial courts. Now this little guy who shot his girlfriend in the face how is he a credible witness. GOD BLESS DeOnte and his family and those with no heart. Another black male dead, locked and has no back up
28 agree | 34 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Now you have the audacity to continue to even imply the officers were at fault. Innocent officers don't sell news I suppose and I guess those pesky things known as facts are a hinderance. So, after Deonte's upstanding 18 year old cousin beat his girlfriend in the head with the gun, which he later admitted Deonte used in his attempt to murder the officers and which he probably would have held onto had he not used it to beat his girlfriend in the head, which lead to his arrest and confession. For all we know, he could have shot at the officers and blamed Deonte since he was dead and thus,unable to deny it. What we do know is: it's THE gun and HE took it from the crime scene. It is perfectly standard for officers to remain on paid leave as is the case with many vocations when someone is being investigated but has not been proven guilty. The officers are on forced leave; their police powers revoked; they have every right to their salary. Fenty paid for the funeral of a murderous thug--n
42 agree | 37 disagree
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dc said:
why hasn't the newspapers and the tv news report that the gun was actually recovered? that his friend took the gun from the crime scene to make it look like the officer actually shot the boy for no reason? how come? people only go by what the news report, but are they reporting correct information? learn the facts people, don't just rely on the news!!!
43 agree | 43 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I'm sorry but are you insane for writing this story? First, on the very first day it has been a known fact that bullet holes made by bullets not from either officer were in the officer's car door(to wit: someone shot at the officers). That was never reported. Second, powder on a shooter's hand hasn't been used as a test in years. You neglected to report this but didn't neglect to report that Deonte had none on his hands. Additionally, the facts that no gun was initially found or that he was shot in the back mean nothing in terms of officer guilt or innocence. It is often perfectly justifiable for a suspect to be shot in the back and guns are commonly stolen from crime scenes by friends or relatives of suspects before the scene can be preserved. You neglected to report that but didn't neglect to report there was initially no gun recovered. Third, once the gun was recovered and identified as the gun used in the attempt to murder the officers, no mention of its recovery was made.
28 agree | 28 disagree
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Joe said:
Don't blame people for acknowledging perceptions that are based on facts. Many black communities serve as crime universities and instead of getting defensive about it why not do something about it if you live there?
28 agree | 31 disagree
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NoElleNo said:
How can so many people can be so cold about a dead 14year old boy? Accusations of a "thug in training" or "would be cop killer" scream of how ALL black children are viewed regardless of their demeanor and actions to the contrary. Instead of giving up hope on these kids, I'd LOVE to see some of the commentors on this post go to a community centers and neighborhoods and volunteer time or mentor. They need guidance. If you're going to blame the parents you better look at your own kids- We don't know how this child would have turned out. He's dead for shooting at a cop yet cops have no gun, residue or proof. Now, what do I do about the non-black kids who slam our mail boxes, break windows in vacant buildings and paint "slang" all over the sidewalk in my predominately black neighborhood; report the parents for abuse or sue? If the cops shoot one of them I wonder how wrong they would be or how big a law suit the parents would file.
35 agree | 25 disagree
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se resident said:
his friend snitched on him after the friend tried to kill his girlfriend for attempting to go to the police and tell what happened. everyone around that neighborhood knows how that little boy was. hell i live in se and i see how these little boys try to act like thugs. they have nothing better else to but try to act like they have nothing else to do but act fools. i'm tired of everyone pointing fingers at the police and the mayor, their behavior starts at home. these parents like to blame everyone else but themselves when their kids act up. it's time to start blaming the parents.
40 agree | 41 disagree
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Joe said:
It seems like more thugs are going down all the time. The real question is, why does the black community endorse it?
28 agree | 31 disagree
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Concern Citizen said:
The only reason this case have not been closed quickly is to prevent the Mayor from looking stupid, everybody in that neighborhood knows what actually happen and that Deonte was a neighborhood thug. The gun he used in all probuability was taken during the confusion by other thugs in the neighborhood and when its beneficial to a thug in the neighborhood to save his or her butt from criminal charges, they will say what the Police Dept already knows what actually happen.
40 agree | 26 disagree
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DC4llife said:
Typical scum bag attorney fighting for the scum of society. Lattimer should be ashamed to fight for a would be COP killer. I can't wait until the investigation is CLOSED and maybe Lattimer will realize the scum that he is and never get another client again.
41 agree | 41 disagree
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DC resident said:
We can thank leaches on society like attorney Greg Lattimer, and the family who seeks to profit from the death of their would-be cop killer, for the fact that investigators must dot every "i" and cross every "t" before closing the investigation. We have two good cops, who would rather be working with their names cleared, sitting at home instead, thanks to Lattimer and the Rawlings family.
32 agree | 40 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Here's what happened: Deonte and Coleman were trolling the neighborhood with Deonte on his new stolen bike. Officers pulled up to him and yelled at him. He took off and they chased him. Coleman, who the officers haven't spotted yet because they're focused on the one with their bike, pulls a .45 out and fires at the officers, who shoot back at Deonte, thinking he is the one who fired the shots, killing him. Coleman runs off and is too ignorant to get rid of the weapon. This explains the lack of residue, the ballistics match to Coleman's .45, and the "missing" gun, which isn't missing at all. It's not hard to believe that two off-duty officers who go out to search for a missing personal minibike would not be aware enough or thinking clearly enough to have spotted the extra man- Coleman. In any case, all of them were doing something they shouldn't have been doing. Though I do sympathize with the cops- it's almost impossible to get anything done unless you do it yourself.
102 agree | 96 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
What was this KID doing out on the streets at that hour of the evening anyway?? I have the answer. He was a young punk in the making!! And BTW his parents should be arrested for child abuse. They obviously allowed the child to do whatever he pleased. So now that he's become a victim of his own circumstances don't blame the police for his lack of self control. Remember....So you live, so you shall die!!
112 agree | 112 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Where is the union, why aren't they speaking out on behalf of these officers, the investigation is NOT complete and "sources close to the investigation are talking"....well this just stinks
107 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The report stated "no OBVIOUS signs of residue" So it wasn't visually seen.
115 agree | 118 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
So, we're supposed to believe that the two officers let Coleman escape with the gun Rawlings shot at them with? Because the gun was never found and now police suspect the 45 in Coleman's closet was the weapon Rawlings used. This story is ridiculous. And I thought there was no gunpowder residue found on Rawlings' hands in the autopsy? Somebody's lying. I'm willing to bet Coleman is, since people who shoot their girlfriends aren't exactly stand-up individuals.
114 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How come Mayor Fenty settles with hoodlums and sides with criminals? I agree-Fenty is a hoodlum himself and needs to be removed.
125 agree | 94 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The mayor needs to be investigated and removed. The city needs to stop settling the BS law suit with these lazy people and ambulance chasing lawyers looking to get rich quick.
86 agree | 93 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Lattimer thought he had easy one! The parent obviously did a poor job raising there son. They thought they had an easy pay day. (Too bad) They love and care for him some much. “Yeah right”! When was the last time they went to a PTA or he went to school event. He was not a sweet innocent fourteen year old honor student on his way home from work. He was a common criminal preparing for a life as a career felon. His criminal behavior was only increasing. The neighborhood and the city are safer now that he is gone. The DC mayor needs to be more supportive of the police and less supportive of the criminal elements and front groups like the peace alcoholics. First, the mayor gives these so called peace groups / ex-convicts money to support criminal friends, family, and activities with no accountability. Then he pays for the funeral of a criminal that shot at cops, before the investigation was completed. The mayor is awful. We (public safety community) will remember him at the polls. He need
94 agree | 99 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Says who--not the evidence. Not the previous statements. This stinks of police tampering. This kid could not hold up on the stand--and any police caught presuring his testimony should go to jail. Fenty should put a stop to it--ASAP.
122 agree | 104 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You do not know the life of DeOnte or his father to judge, DeOnte was a fun loving child and enjoy football, and other things that a normal 14 year old would enjoy, especially when living in that are hanging out with friends... All in all, the police officer were wrong, they had other intentions beside looking for a minibike. They are a cops and know the procedures at least they are suppose to, why didn't they at anytime, before, during or after notify police on-duty; if it was so much of DeOnte shooting at them why do they only have one bullet hole in the truck; why didn't the other police officer draw his weapon if they was so much threaten; why did you leave the seen; and since when (while chasing DeOnte) do you shoot a child in the back of the head to apprehend him; he wasn't shot in the back of the head by accident; It is in Gods hands now
127 agree | 104 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bull Crap; they got a hold to him (Clifton Coleman) and now he wants to change his story. Dirty and Foul. How do you accidentally shoot your girlfriend in the face and then boldly call the police, knowing that you probably shouldn't have guns in your house anyway? Dirty and Foul, smellys fishy to me...
110 agree | 98 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
So are new T-shirts going to be made up now?
138 agree | 82 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
That attorney should hope that the .45 recovered does not match the ballistics, I think he cam out too soon to announce a lawsuit. What a pity....
126 agree | 94 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
My bet it is true, he has not reason to confess and give up anything since there was a gun that pretty much tells you why he confessed...Makes you wonder now why he shot the girlfriend, most likely she knew as well. There will be protests some won't believe the story and say that it is all a coverup. It was a matter of time before this gun came up in another crime.....
137 agree | 95 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Sweet payoff for a father who failed to keep track of his underaged and now dead son.
120 agree | 85 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If this turns out to be true, will there again be protests in the streets or outrage? ...doubtful, I imagine that residents of SE will be as quiet as mice.
129 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
And the story continues....
139 agree | 94 disagree
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dc res said:
As the real story unfolds, what is Lattimer's liability for all of his unfounded accusations? How about the Mayor - how many cops are we going to lose because of his pro-cop killer position? DC - as always - two steps forward, four steps back.
138 agree | 72 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ambulance chasing lawyers! This kid was known by the DC police, why? Let me guess for his merit awards, no because he was a thief and this time his stealing habit got him more then he bargained for. I for one am glad that the cops went after him, we need more cops to do the same and maybe people that commit crimes will start to realize that they are not going to get away with it anymore. That is what cops do make our neighborhoods safe people, don't wreck it. Or you will be the ones crying that you can't sleep at night because you don't feel safe in you own home.
153 agree | 83 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
First of all people need to look at it as if it we're u U live in a gated community ur house got broken in to & u know there is a bad neighborhood 3 blocks from ur house So what would any other person do that wasn't an off duty cop! They would file a police report & a claim with their homeowners insurance. But instead these officers chose to look for his stolen property with his gun drove around the block 3 times spotted out a kid on a mini-bike so they stop & reverse in a bad neighborhood is going to think its a drive-by so someone shots & the cops did 2 who shot first no1 knows.why didn't the cops call the police or one of their on duty officers and ask them if they could accompany them to see if some of their stolen things were around the corner & after they drove off they still didn't call 911. How are they going 2 justify shooting someone in the back of the head if they are turned around running how do they pose a threat. Dont blame the parents u cant keep ur eye on a kid 24-
131 agree | 134 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
if this had happened to a white child by black cops the cops would be in prison by now. that's just how america works and we all know it.
140 agree | 105 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Here we go again, another lawsuit againist Neighboorhood cash cow DC Goverment from a family attempting to gain financial wind fall for failing to properly raise their child. Witness who all of sudden saw what happen when they realize they can probually get some money for lying however, would not point out the neighboorhood misfits who have the gun and continue to wreck havoc in the community.
141 agree | 109 disagree
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dc res said:
Let me see if I got this: Everyone is afraid of the police/ no one knew they were the police/ they went back to a police cruiser/ no one knew they were the police / they knew the police officers from the neighborhood / no one knew they were the police / there was another teenager on a grassy knoll - Great story, it looks like Greg "I can't take care of my client's money, but trust me with $100 million" Lattimer is panicking b/c the actual report is about to come out - what a melt down. (By the way isn't interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation a crime?)
114 agree | 99 disagree
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Non-Beleiver said:
Greg Lattimer says he has uncovered witnesses while talking to residents in the Southeast Washington neighborhood. Too bad Lattimer that neighborhood doesn't have creditable witnesses. The DC cops have James Pressler, FOP union lawyer. He doesn't lose a case when defending cops. Going up against Jim...huh...good luck because your are going to need it!
132 agree | 100 disagree
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