http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/18/1371640/-Police-Behaving-Badly-Racist-Homophobic-Tweets-May-Lead-to-Convictions-Overturned?detail=email
This could be huge:
1,000 Criminal Cases To Be Reviewed In Wake Of Racist, Homophobic Texts Sent Between San Francisco Cops
San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi estimates as many as 1,000 criminal cases will be reviewed following the racist and homophobic text messages allegedly sent by four San Francisco police officers.
Adachi and his colleagues said today that their office has already identified 120 cases involving two of the four officers and said those cases could get thrown out beginning as early as next week.
District Attorney George Gascon said he was “deeply disturbed by these text messages” and said that “in order to ensure our criminal justice system is fair and equitable,” his office will also be assessing every prosecution in the past 10 years in which the officers participated.
It's still up in the air how many of the cases involving the four involved officers will end up having the convictions overturned if it's found that bias may have affected the officers' investigations or handling of the case.
I've generally had positive contact with police, more in the realm of a victim than a potential suspect. But when we hear about cops behaving badly, just remember that they don't always need a gun or a Taser -- sometimes just a smart phone will do.
EDIT: Thanks to Catte Nappe for pointing out my brain fart regarding the name of the judge involved in the appeal; I might have been better off with a bowl of Breyer's Ice Cream.
i think these more democratic states will lead the effort to weed out those racially inclined but another story for red states that attitude is inbred and like the kid activist from Ferguson said "it's in their heads". longevity will be the proof of the pudding, right wing has been going around preaching reaching out while still engaging in "business as usual", that is elephant dung with a side of syrup and disingenuous at best. like a leopard can't change his spots racist can't change from hate to at least respect let alone love for their fellow man as the Bible teaches, i would really like to know how they spin that verse to support what they do.
