MARKHAM, Ill. (AP) — A Cook County judge will decide if a suburban Chicago police officer is guilty of reckless conduct in the fatal shooting of a 95-year-old World War II veteran with a bean-bag gun in 2013.
The trial of Park Forest Police Officer Craig Taylor is scheduled to start Tuesday in Markham before Judge Luciano Panici.
Prosecutors contend the 43-year-old Taylor acted recklessly when he shot John Wrana in the stomach after Wrana confronted officers with a knife and a cane at the assisted living facility where he lived. Officials of the Forest Park police department have said the officers at the scene had no choice but to act as they did.
Wrana’s family has filed a lawsuit against Taylor and other officers involved and the village of Park Forest.
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From the article it sounds like there were three or more officers present. There way of dealing with a 95 year old man with a cane and a knife was the shoot him–even with a “less lethal” gun? Three police officers couldn’t handle a 95 year old without shooting him? Really?
But, the 95 year old was obviously under the influence of Geritol.
The winds must be changing as far as charging police. An Albuquerque prosecutor is bringing murder charges against two Albuquerque police who shot a mentally ill man who’s only crime was camping illegally. He was in the process of obeying and leaving when police escalated the incident. Video of shooting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DngOL6LokN4&feature=youtu.be
Bullshit, they didn’t have a choice! He was NINETY-FIVE YEARS OLD. They could have taken him down without using less-than-lethal force.
I should also point out that under NO circumstances are you supposed to used standard 40mm beanbag rounds at a distance of LESS than 10 meters/33 ft. 12ga beanbag rounds CAN be used at closer ranges, but ONLY if designated as CQB rounds. They DO make 40mm rounds for close range use, but those are clearly marked as such.
CQB = Close-Quarters Battle.
We need the names of the other two piggies. They should be shamed out of their uniforms for being a part of this. Imagine, three fully trained officers scared to death of a old man with a cane.
in a nursing home…
The one percent cop safety doctrine in action. If there’s a one percent chance a cop might get hurt, instant escalation to potentially lethal force is justified. Nonlethal weapons aren’t on the belt to give them an alternative to shooting someone, they’re there to give them an alternative to talking to someone.