A 34-year old former Deputy Sheriff has been indicted for murder in the death of Peyton Strickland, whom I have written about previously. While this might seem like a wonderful opportunity for me to “apologize” for my stated opinion of the deceased, I’m afraid that won’t be forthcoming.
As I said before, the kid didn’t deserve to die for his crimes, but he was in fact a violent criminal and a thug. The police who were sent to apprehend him were sent after a violent criminal and a thug. The deputy who killed Strickland may have overreacted, and it’s all well and good to read the “Monday-morning-quarterback” version of what may have prompted him to fire his weapon, but the facts remain unchanged: It was a high-stress situation, the potential for violence was expected, force was brought to bear against that violent potential, and force was used. Right or wrong, it cannot be denied that Peyton Strickland had a hand in the creation of the situation that brought on his death.
In case anyone thinks I believe otherwise, I do believe that Peyton Strickland did not deserve to die that day.
I am also sorry that the mistakes made that day have brought an end to a young police officer’s career.
I welcome your opinions. Even the snarky ones.
I knew Peyton and I am dumbfounded by how you could call a dead teenager a violent animal given the incidents that you claim to know about him compared to the incidents that are true of the cop. He has shot two teenagers prior to this incident, both unwarranted. The shots were fired through a door, and I don’t see how that situation was so tense seeing how there were 9 heavily armed, TRAINED officers. Peyton wasn’t even the one that was supposed to have guns, it was the other guy who lives at a different house. The actions were made by a cop who needed to be stripped of his authority and a GRAND JURY, much more suited to have opinions on this than you or I, saw it that way too. Cool pictures of your cats and sword case.
This statement says it all, “I am also sorry that the mistakes made that day have brought an end to a young police officer’s career.” Those were mistakes that he made. You should feel sorry that some unqualified cop on a power trip made those mistakes, the cost of which was a young man’s life.
Here is an article talking about the Peyton
we knew and loved
http://www.newsobserver.com/1419/story/519960.html
Again, my comments and opinion are all based on the reports regarding Strickland’s brief criminal career. Nice kids don’t beat up other kids to steal their toys.
I listened to a description of the deputy’s career today, and nothing suggested he had had previous problems. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a history, and I fully realize that – but so far, what’s being published/broadcast has not shown him to be a problem.
If you have more information, share it – provide links to the data so I can know what you know. If you’re passing on hearsay, it doesn’t add to the conversation.
Grace:
Thank you, I just finished reading that article, and I can agree that Peyton Strickland appeared to be a young man with lots of potential. Potential that could have been used for any number of positive things.
What made that potential go wrong?
Lenient parenting?
Privileged life?
Simple boredom?
Perhaps it’s simply a symptom of the problems 21st century society is facing.
I apologize if my opinions are offensive to some; it was not my intention to offend. I won’t rescind my words, as that would set a precedent I would find distasteful. I will refrain from posting again on this topic unless further clarifying facts are revealed to support or detract from my suppositions. I don’t mind being wrong, and if I am, I’ll admit it when it’s shown to me.
Jonathan, don’t be an idiot! Who are you, the judge and the jury and Christopher Long the executioner. This kid was never proven to have done anything illegal. He was merely a suspect. The cop denied him the right to a fair trial by plugging him in the head with a bullet. If you can’t understand the basic right of an American citizen to have a fair trial by a jury of his peers, then you need to study up a little before you participate in the system.
Jonathan, here is an exerpt from a document that you should get familiar with…it’s called the Constitution of the United States of America. Perhaps it will help you see the steps that you have skipped when you convicted Peyton Strickland and Christopher Long executed him.
From the Constitution of the United States of America
Amendment V
…NO PERSON SHALL BE HELD TO ANSWER FOR A CAPITAL OR OTHERWISE INFAMOUS CRIME, UNLESS ON A PRESENTMENT OR INDICTMENT OF A GRAND JURY…NOR BE DEPRIVED OF LIFE, LIBERTY, OR PROPERTY, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW…
Amendment VI
IN ALL CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS, THE ACCUSED SHALL ENJOY THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY AND PUBLIC TRIAL, BY AN IMPARTIAL JURY OF THE STATE AND DISTRICT WHEREIN THE CRIME SHALL HAVE BEEN COMMITTED…AND TO BE INFORMED OF THE NATURE AND CAUSE OF THE ACCUSATION; TO BE CONFRONTED WITH THE WITNESSES AGAINST HIM; TO HAVE COMPULSORY PROCESS FOR OBTAINING WITNESSES IN HIS FAVOR, AND TO HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL FOR HIS DEFENSE.