Ted wrote on April 11, 2008 08:41 AM: I was with the Green Berets in Vietnam. I wouldn't be that afraid of some wacko coming at me with a knife, because I'm trained in how to react to that. What is really scary is that you are not legally allowed self defense against a punk with a gun and a badge.

Fred wrote on April 10, 2008 02:37 PM: There's way too many discrepancies with this story. A whole lot of witnesses didn't see a knife at all. And what now of the witness statements that she was actually sitting down when she was shot? It sure smells like a cover-up from HPD. If the officer shot her accidentally then say so. Cover-ups make things much worse. Also, the story I read was that it was her husband who called her to the scene, not the cops, because of the language barrier. So enough about how "nice" the cops were. I just hope these people get a fair inquest but the odds are tremendously against them.

No Name wrote on April 10, 2008 02:37 PM: oldlawdog - the procedure, as it's presently written, is to determine if the death at the hands of law enforcement is justified, excusable, or criminal. This is done by presenting the facts developed through the investigation of the incident. It is not a criminal proceeding, consequently, it is not supposed to be adversarial.

I'm not missing the point. The point is simple, follow the procedure as it currently exists. And if you don't like that procedure, work to get it changed.

Quite honestly, you should be thrilled every time they find a shooting justified. This at least tells me the officers are following department policy and procedures. What more could I ask for?

fluffy wrote on April 10, 2008 02:24 PM: "What are the Henderson Police and Sheriff afraid of?"

I don't know what they ARE afraid of, but they SHOULD be afraid of running afoul of a growing percentage of the citizenry that will begin to refuse to tolerate a police state.

oldlawdawg wrote on April 10, 2008 01:26 PM: NO NAME: You seem to be missing the point. The allegation is that the the procedures for a Coroner’s inquest in Clark County results in proceedings that are adversarial to the victims/survivors and protective of the killers simply because they wear badges.

The Coroner's inquest is a biased, rubber stamp process which has the effect of short-circuiting criminal prosecution of officers involved in shootings because the inquest usually results in findings favorable to officers involved. The inquest is by no means a substitute for a trial, but there is seldom a trial at all if the inquest issues a determination favorable to the officers. There should be no reason why this unfortunate incident is not investigated by a neutral law enforcement agency, such as the FBI since there is a federal civil rights violation, with the evidence gathered during that investigation either presented to a grand jury for possible indictment, or used to justify arrest at the behest of the DA which then entitles the accused to a preliminary hearing. If the grand jury indicts or the judge presiding over the preliminary hearing determines that the evidence is sufficient to bind the officers over for trial, those officers would be tried for murder and lesser included offenses, such as manslaughter, just like anybody else who has committed a homicide. Moreover, the precise complaint here is that the Coroner is refusing to share evidence with the survivors of the victims which they can use in civil proceedings for wrongful death, even though the findings of the inquest are advisory only, whereas other jurisdictions require all evidence gathered by the Coroner to be made available along with the findings and recommendations, even if only to the survivors.

The Coroner's inquest system in Clark County does not serve justice.

The Truth Hurts wrote on April 10, 2008 01:26 PM: Comply with the order's of the officer, and you'll live another day.

It's as simple as that.

Good Job HPD!!!!!! wrote on April 10, 2008 01:24 PM: Support the police and I am a Nazi skinhead?

The tragic series of events all started with the moron refusing to sign a ticket.....

The cops were nice and asked the wife to come get the truck. Lil' did they know she was whackier than her husband. Threats of violence to kill officers, kids, and herself were dealt with. She decided to act on her threat to the officers and paid the price.

Sure, undr cvr, call me a loose cannon or call me a person with common sense. Something liberals and cop bashers seem to lack!

undr cvr wrote on April 10, 2008 12:51 PM: Good job HPD

There is some merit to the logic of being wary of people with guns, cops or no cops...but your attitude sucks!!!!

What are you a skin head? Neo Nazi? white supremacist? or just a loose cannon?

danielle wrote on April 10, 2008 11:46 AM: Henderson police are the ones that pulled over Chester the Molester Stiles.
They should have shot him like they did this poor woman.

Good job HPD wrote on April 10, 2008 11:05 AM: The whacky story will come out.... will that quiet all the naysayers here?

Nope.... funny, the last henderson shooting had similar lame witnesses.... well, the media told us that.

Of course, they all refused to give statements or even testify.

She brought a knife to a gun fight.... and people are surprised at the outcome?

All of this could have been prevented if:
Her husband signed the ticket, instead of refusing
She didn't show up at the scene threatening her child's life
She didn't come at the officers with a knife


And for the usual morons that say the cops should have taken away a knife, you guys are clueless and need to leave fantasyland. Do you want to risk getting cut, stabbed or killed because the movies say you can do it and you won;t get hurt? Reality is you will get cut... how bad is the real question. Not a risk I would take or recommend when the person with the knife is the one deciding their own fate

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