United States News
See other United States News Articles
Title: Teen Beaten, Pepper Sprayed, Tasered, Arrested because Cops Said he Had “No Legitimate Purpose”
Source:
Free Thought Project
URL Source: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/te ... -probable/#uEulWZVXFIcWUcM7.99
Published: Oct 22, 2015
Author: Matt Agorist
Post Date: 2015-10-23 13:39:09 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 2658
Comments: 18
Manchester, NH — Connor DeLeire, 18, was not breaking any laws, not causing anyone harm, and was on public property when he was approached by police, beaten, tasered, pepper sprayed and arrested. The reason police gave to the press for approaching DeLeire was that he was parked in a “predictive hot spot.” As officer Derek Cataldo drove by the teen who was doing absolutely nothing wrong at 5:35 pm, he decided to violate the rights of DeLeire to determine if he was there for “legitimate purposes.” DeLeire was sitting in the driver’s seat. Cataldo drove by the car and then circled the block to get a better look and determine if Deleire was there for legitimate purposes, according to a news release sent out by Lt. Brian O’Keefe. Cataldo then approached DeLeire and attempted to “determine if he was there for legitimate purposes.” Like most people who are approached by armed agents of the state who can legally kill you, DeLeire was nervous. According to the Union Leader: He gave the officer his identification and “attempted to provide a legitimate reason for being in the area,” O’Keefe wrote. Cataldo felt he was there for no legitimate purposes and asked him to step out of the car. When Deleire did, Cataldo noticed a holstered Beretta 9mm. Cataldo took it, placed it inside the car and continued speaking with Deleire. Deleire, police said, grew agitated and stated he was not agreeing to his person or property being searched. Unconcerned that his questioning had turned into a rights-violating unlawful detainment, Cataldo continued. New Hampshire is an open carry state and a permit is only required if the owner wishes to carry a loaded gun in a vehicle. When Cataldo began to pat down Deleire, he discovered the magazine in DeLeire’s front pocket. It is important to note that Deleire had broken no law at this point. The only person in violation of any law was officer Cataldo as he had no probable cause for the stop. According to police, DeLeire began “thrashing back and forth,” so more police arrived to “help subdue the combative man.” Four officers then beat down, pepper sprayed, and tasered a man whose only “crime” was “resisting” his armed aggressors. DeLeire was then arrested for “resisting arrest” and brought to jail. He was later released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 24. For the actions of these officers, the taxpayers of Manchester will now be held to the fire for the subsequent lawsuit that will most assuredly result from this situation. There are two things that could have prevented this situation, the first of which is the least likely. Had police respected the Constitution, this entire incident would have never happened. However, as we’ve seen time and again, cops continue to fail to respect the constitutional rights of citizens. The second factor that could have prevented this violent escalation would have been DeLeire effectively asserting his rights. Having done nothing wrong, DeLeire should have asked the two most important questions, “Am I being detained? Am I free to go?” The situation could have ended after those questions. Or, if the officer continued to violate his rights, DeLeire should have pulled out his camera and documented the officer’s crimes while continuing to remain silent and assert his rights. Knowing that police are willing to violate your rights is only half of the solution. The other half of the battle is your ability to defeat them at their own game by knowing your rights, and effectively asserting them. UPDATE: Since this story broke, we have been contacted by DeLeire’s family who tells the Free Thought Project that he actually had a concealed carry permit, so this was a non-issue. They also told us that DeLeire asked if he was being arrested and police gave him no response. Once he was thrown on the ground and down, police then tasered and pepper sprayed him. Images given to the Free Thought Project by DeLeire’s family are much worse than the media released.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 13.
#2. To: Deckard (#0)
This is considered a Terry stop. The officer only needs reasonable suspicion, not probable cause. At this particular location, "police data showed 24 recent complaints about prostitution and 10 people who have overdosed in their cars in the last 90 days".
How does a "Terry Stop" differ to that of a totality of circumstance where in both issues neither require probable cause let alone a reasonable on?
A Terry stop is merely a brief detention by the police. It is based on a reasonable suspicion that a crime is about to be committed. That reasonable suspicion, in turn, is based on “the totality of the circumstances". Probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion, and is needed to conduct a search or an actual arrest.
I hope that kid has a good lawyer. The idea of "brief detention" stops by law enforcement on public property is getting out of control.
The 18-year-old was parked in an area of drug use and prostitution. Since he was armed, maybe he knew that. Maybe not. But the cop did the right thing to stop and ask him what he was doing there. For the teen's safety, if nothing else. Things got out of hand because of what the teen did, not the cop.
There are no replies to Comment # 13. End Trace Mode for Comment # 13.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"The only person in violation of any law was officer Cataldo as he had no probable cause for the stop."
#4. To: misterwhite (#2)
#7. To: goldilucky (#4)
"How does a "Terry Stop" differ to that of a totality of circumstance where in both issues neither require probable cause let alone a reasonable on?"
#12. To: misterwhite (#7)
#13. To: goldilucky (#12)
"The idea of "brief detention" stops by law enforcement on public property is getting out of control."
Replies to Comment # 13.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]