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Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas explains why his office is prosecuting two police officers in relation to the death of Kelly Thomas at...
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What about the freedom watch in Orange County California to police officers stand accused of turning yeah.
Actually have a homeless man -- -- murder.
Kelly Thomas was allegedly taser at four times than the cops allegedly hit on the head eventually killing him.
These accusations.
Some human rights organization.
But from the Orange County district attorney was charged one of the officers with second degree murder and the other -- manslaughter.
The DA himself is known for his strong backing of law enforcement and He has a wonderful reputation throughout the country.
But He has said that this case shows how Americans have a right to self defense even against the police here to explain this difficult and unpleasant situation.
This Orange County district attorney attorney Tony -- caucus Tony it's a pleasure welcome to freedom watch.
It's my pleasure thank you so you had a very difficult job to do your you're not the US attorney or not the attorney general Washington you are the local prosecutor.
For -- these police.
Gather evidence in the preparation of your criminal cases.
And you came to the conclusion that the two of them intentionally killed this guy and one of them committed murder what did you learn and how did you learn it.
What what you're saying is is all correct and yes what we have is say as a video surveillance camera in this parking lot of the sport -- bus depot.
And as well as the various police officers wearing did digital audio recording devices and so.
We're able to to see what was taking place from the pretty much from the initial contact.
To the time that.
That the hope that the contact turned violent to the time that.
That the that the victim here -- Kelly Thomas.
Passed out from.
From the use of force.
Won't look like force was used on him by -- the one officer.
Whom you charged with second degree murder what do you say that officer did what is the -- show him doing.
Well that what that officer did was He He really took.
I'm pretty ordinary contact into into a violence situation where where this victim would have a right to self defense what He did was.
He He put latex gloves on He -- -- menace the victim towering over him who in the -- have senator and He He doubled -- this up.
Doubled his fist and put them in the victim's face and said.
You see these these -- rated few.
And then and then for and then -- there was some more conversation brief conversation before -- after that excuse me and then.
-- proceeded to to get him by the Armand and at that point the the victim.
Understanding He was -- that it was going to be a beating as opposed to anything else.
Started trying to step away step away from the officer and and -- -- and came after him with a baton and and started tackling him and another officer who was a little ways distant from there came -- and and assisted ticking down and then.
And then other officers.
Came to the -- to come to the aid of that first thought -- Why did have -- -- why did the police take his life He was homeless.
He was defenseless He was inoffensive He had no weapon what conceivable.
Reason could they have had for killing.
While He was He was.
All of the things that you just said and when they when they tackle them and and He was He was swarming in and they're resisting.
They just.
We had the first -- -- -- -- Second and third officer put so much weight on and they put all their body weight on -- -- compressed his chest that He couldn't pre.
He was He was begging for breath begging for help and and it could and none was.
Forthcoming and -- parts.
-- the laws are different each state and I know this happened in California but what can an ordinary person do.
To resist unlawful violence when the violence is perpetrated by the police.
-- you know to Begin with we do have.
The United States constitutional.
Right to be free from.
Unlawful or unwarranted excessive force under color of -- so.
That part doesn't vary from state to state and I think that citizens -- everybody not to citizens but we all have a right to.
To self defense so.
And in the you know so that that that the difficulty of course as I I wouldn't want to.
To suggest to people that whenever they disagree with the police officer they have a right to self defense they don't.
Long -- -- officers.
Is doing a lawful duty and using reinforce we have a duty to submit to that so.
That's a very very tough problem got a police officer is not entitled to.
To just say I'm gonna beat you up and you can't get away with that you can defend yourself for -- are not entitled to commit a crime against the person.
Tony or a caucus the district attorney from Orange County California we appreciate you joining us thanks very much.
Thank you very much it's a robo signing scandal the federal government has.
