Texas cop guns down 93-year-old woman, but police ‘not ready’ to say whether she was

[Cebu_4_2]

Texas cop guns down 93-year-old woman, but police ‘not ready’ to say whether she was armed

By David Edwards
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 11:34 EDT

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Policeman-with-gun-Shutterstock.jpg



http://cdn.instaemail.net/images/email-button.png (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/07/texas-cop-guns-down-93-year-old-woman-but-police-not-ready-to-say-whether-she-was-armed/#)

Authorities in Hearne, Texas are refusing to say if a 93-year-old woman was armed when a police officer shot her at least five times on Tuesday.

According to KBTX (http://www.kbtx.com/news/local/headlines/Hearne-PD-Officer-Involved-Shooting-leaves-Elderly-Woman-Injured-258213801.html), Pearlie Golden was at her home on Karney Street when she was shot by the Hearne police officer. Golden, who was known as Ms. Sully by her friends, was later pronounced dead after being transported to St. Joseph Hospital.
“Hearne police are not ready to say whether Golden was armed or why the officer felt threatened,” KBTX reported.
Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert told the station that he could not explain the shooting.

“All I know is that they were called out here,” Siegert said. “They were dispatched out here to address the situation. Again, I’m not sure exactly what that situation was, but it was not a random encounter.”

Neighbor Lawanda Cooke said she couldn’t imagine why police would need to shoot a sweet woman like Golden.
“Even if she did have a gun, she is in her 90’s,” Cooke pointed out. “They could have shot in the air to scare her. Maybe she would have dropped it. I don’t see her shooting anyone.”

The district attorney’s officer planned to file standard procedure and present the case to a grand jury, Siegert said. Texas Rangers were also investigating.

The Hearne Police Department had promised a statement on the shooting, but it had not been released by the time of publication.
Watch the video below from KBTX, broadcast May 7, 2014.

[midnight rambler]

Dial 911 and DIE.

She was 'shot' five times, I'm wondering if Officer Friendly had to empty his magazine in order to manage to shoot her five times.

Those life size LEO paper targets with 'regular folks' on them appear to be working out. I cannot find any other explanation for shooting and killing a NINETY-THREE YEAR OLD LADY. But then maybe this is a part of ObombyaWithDronesCare we haven't heard about yet.

[Ares]

Midnight Rambler,

I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. Don't you know that most mass killings, murders, executions, robberies, theft, larceny, etc. etc. are committed by 90 year olds and up? My god man, the officer was lucky to get away with his life after that confrontation..

/sarcasm

Sooner or later people won't stand for murder of their fellow citizens whether the murder wears a costume or not...

[Dogman]

Midnight Rambler,

I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. Don't you know that most mass killings, murders, executions, robberies, theft, larceny, etc. etc. are committed by 90 year olds and up? My god man, the officer was lucky to get away with his life after that confrontation..

/sarcasm

Sooner or later people won't stand for murder of their fellow citizens whether the murder wears a costume or not...And the most deadly of all her throwing her false teeth/dentures those are downright deadly!

Frigging, trigger happy brain dead (if one ever existed) does not have two molecules in their skulls to rub together to have a thought, gun totting idiot(s)!

[Ares]

And the most deadly of all her throwing her false teeth/dentures those are downright deadly!

Frigging, trigger happy brain dead (if one ever existed) does not have two molecules in their skulls to rub together to have a thought, STATE SPONSORED gun totting idiot(s)!

Fixed it for ya. :)

[Dogman]

Fixed it for ya. :)
Thanks!

[midnight rambler]

What are the chances we'll ever hear anything else about this?

[osoab]

She probably had a shoehorn in hand.

edit to add to the shoehorn reference.

Kass: Was police killing of 95-year-old necessary? (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-02/news/ct-met-kass-0802-20130803_1_butcher-type-kitchen-knife-park-forest-police-taser)

First they tased him, but that didn't work. So they fired a shotgun, hitting him in the stomach with a bean-bag round. Wrana was struck with such force that he bled to death internally, according to the Cook County medical examiner.

...

The Park Forest police version is that on the night of July 26, John Wrana, a resident of the Victory Centre senior living facility, threatened staff and paramedics with a 2-foot-long metal shoehorn and a metal cane. The police statement neglects to mention that the old man also used a walker, at least according to photographs supplied by Grapsas.

[midnight rambler]

She probably had a shoe horn in hand.

Bearing in mind that this was someone who lived through the '30s depression as a teenager, one of 'the greatest generation' - NOT someone who would buck 'authority'. I can't wait to hear their compelling explanation (IF we ever hear one anyway).

[Hitch]

There is definitely some hypocrisy here.

Don't you folks say, in regards to conceal carry, that a gun is the only way to equalize things between an old lady and a young aggressive attacker?

Not stirring any shit, just pointing out that once a COP is involved in the situation, logic gets tossed out the window.

[midnight rambler]

just pointing out that once a COP is involved in the situation, logic gets tossed out the window.

I'm pretty sure it has something to do with their complete unaccountability for terrorizing and killing people who don't deserve being terrorized, tortured, maimed, and/or killed with absolute impunity by someone acting as judge, jury, and executioner under color of law.

[osoab]

There is definitely some hypocrisy here.

Don't you folks say, in regards to conceal carry, that a gun is the only way to equalize things between an old lady and a young aggressive attacker?

Not stirring any shit, just pointing out that once a COP is involved in the situation, logic gets tossed out the window.

What hypocrisy? I think it is safe to say that any "situation" involving a 93 year old woman could be handled without taking any weapon out of it's holster.

[osoab]

I think the Hearne PD needs to up their training. 5 shots to take down granny?

[Dogman]

I think the Hearne PD needs to up their training. 5 shots to take down granny? Or retraining , scary donut eater saying boo loud enough probably could taken her out!

[Hitch]

What hypocrisy? I think it is safe to say that any "situation" involving a 93 year old woman could be handled without taking any weapon out of it's holster.

I agree.

I just think we should re-examine how we feel about conceal carry.

Maybe we should be honest, a 93 year old woman, even armed to the teeth, and trained in firearms, doesn't stand a chance against a younger attacker.

That's all I'm saying.

The pro firearms cheerleaders would suggest that, but the reality is different.

[osoab]

I agree.

I just think we should re-examine how we feel about conceal carry.

Maybe we should be honest, a 93 year old woman, even armed to the teeth, and trained in firearms, doesn't stand a chance against a younger attacker.

That's all I'm saying.

The pro firearms cheerleaders would suggest that, but the reality is different.

What the heck does CC have to do with this? If she fired on the cop, the cop would have ran and waited for the torch crew tear gas canisters to burn her out of her house.

[madfranks]

Dial 911 and DIE.

She was 'shot' five times, I'm wondering if Officer Friendly had to empty his magazine in order to manage to shoot her five times.

Those life size LEO paper targets with 'regular folks' on them appear to be working out. I cannot find any other explanation for shooting and killing a NINETY-THREE YEAR OLD LADY. But then maybe this is a part of ObombyaWithDronesCare we haven't heard about yet.

http://theconservativetreehouse.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/targets-no-more-hesitation-gun-owners.jpg

[Hitch]

What the heck does CC have to do with this? If she fired on the cop, the cop would have ran and waited for the torch crew tear gas canisters to burn her out of her house.

I am just saying, a 93 year old woman with a gun is just as dangerous as you are.

That's all. That's why we own guns to begin with, anyway.

It levels the playing field. They knew that when the 2nd amendment was written too. We shouldn't forget it now.

Folks, don't forget the 4th amendment too. Seach and seizure law, that's our rights we need to defend that one too.

[Ponce]

I'd better throw away my walking cane or registered as a deadly weapon?.........god damned mfsob of a copl.

V

[Hitch]

Where in the 2nd amendment is a person's age listed?

Please answer me that question.

[Hitch]

Nobody wants to meet me head on with regards to the constitution.

It's all emotional tactics. Old lady and bad guy cop. No facts. Again, this forum disappoints me.

[Dogman]

Be cool Hitch, be cool.

I just can not imagin a cop shooting a 93 old woman, where was his balls and mind?

I hope his house burns down with him in it, but his family escapes.

[Ponce]

Just read in What Really Happened..........cop cut throat of 16 year old kid to take out drugs that he swallowed , of course kid dies.

V

[Hitch]

Be cool Hitch, be cool.

I just can not imagin a cop shooting a 93 old woman, where was his balls and mind?

I hope his house burns down with him in it, but his family escapes.

I am cool Dogman, but folks on this forum need to set aside their emotions and THINK.

The whole reason we are fighting for our firearm rights...is so that a 93 year old woman can defend herself against a 240lb YOU.

Let's not forget that. Now if you attack a man's right to defend himself against an EQUAL threat, as determined by YOU and YOUR justifications for firearms...YOU are a hypocrite.

That's all I'm saying.

[Dogman]

I am cool Dogman, but folks on this forum need to set aside their emotions and THINK.

The whole reason we are fighting for our firearm rights...is so that a 93 year old woman can defend herself against a 240lb YOU.

Let's not forget that. Now if you attack a man's right to defend himself against an EQUAL threat, as determined by YOU and YOUR justifications for firearms...YOU are a hypocrite.

That's all I'm saying.


But the old lady was an old lady.

I question you when you call a friend a hypocrite.


I just look at the age diff, and I have never have seen a 93 year old man or woman that did not look like a stiff breeze could not knock down.

I am a hypocrite?

Read my posts again, I am for owning firearms, the donut no brain/emptyskull/pos could have handled it better, as long as the old woman did not hold a firearm and was pointing it or was starting pointing it at the pig.

This one is close to home, and I intend to follow the story..I am just going by the op.

hypocrite am I?

I am out of this thread, until I can get more on this story, it happened abt 100 or so miles from me, between Austin and here.

[Hitch]

Dogman, I'm sorry brother. I got your PM as well.

My fists come up easy, I think. Maybe one day I'll die in peace and not have any of this cop residue lingering.

I apologize to the forum too. I just want to do the right thing from now on, that's all. Enjoy the waves. We are surrounded by good people and wonderful things, it's good to focus on that that.

[Cebu_4_2]

Dogman, I'm sorry brother. I got your PM as well.

My fists come up easy, I think. Maybe one day I'll die in peace and not have any of this cop residue lingering.

I apologize to the forum too. I just want to do the right thing from now on, that's all. Enjoy the waves. We are surrounded by good people and wonderful things, it's good to focus on that that.

The negative energy we get here adds up I think. I step back every now and again to recharge but after a while it does discharge and back to negative. I don't need longer than a day or so, I am resilient but some others might need more. Back in the day I would have probably needed a couple days but now I am somewhat balanced.

[osoab]

She probably had a shoehorn in hand.

edit to add to the shoehorn reference.

Kass: Was police killing of 95-year-old necessary? (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-02/news/ct-met-kass-0802-20130803_1_butcher-type-kitchen-knife-park-forest-police-taser)




Park Forest Cop Acquitted in Fatal Beanbag Shooting of WWII Vet (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-verdict-met-20150204-story.html)




But in the trial’s emotional highlight, Taylor testified that he feared for his life and those of his fellow officers when Wrana took a shuffling step forward with the knife raised. Taylor said that after the first shot or two failed to stop Wrana, he thought he had the authority to use lethal force–opening fire with his handgun–but chose not to, in part because of Wrana’s advanced age.

He said the magic words.

He would have blown the man's head off if the old man was in riding in a Hoveround (http://www.hoveround.com/)

[Cebu_4_2]

Really appreciate the follow up Osoab...

Reads like pure thuggery propaganda.

Park Forest police Officer Craig Taylor was acquitted Wednesday of reckless conduct for firing five beanbag rounds in rapid succession at a knife-wielding World War II veteran who died hours later.

Reading his lengthy written ruling aloud in court, Cook County Associate Judge Luciano Panici said the force used on John Wrana Jr., 95, “was not excessive.”

"There was nothing criminal about his actions,” the judge said in a Markham courtroom packed with a couple of dozen police officers from surrounding south suburbs who were there to support Taylor.

After the court hearing, Taylor smiled, stood and embraced his wife. He had faced anywhere from probation up to three years in prison if convicted.

http://www.trbimg.com/img-54b9d9a4/turbine/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-trial-met-0118-20150116/300/300x169 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-trial-met-0118-20150116-story.html) Wrana case: An unlikely place for a fatal encounter with police (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-trial-met-0118-20150116-story.html)

Relatives of Wrana’s family sobbed in the front row of the courtroom gallery and were escorted out the back of the courtroom. They left the courthouse without comment.

State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez defended bringing the criminal charges against Taylor, saying she truly believed his actions were reckless.
“I really think other actions could have been taken and more restraint shown," she told reporters after attending an unrelated sentencing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Alvarez said prosecutors considered charging the officer's supervisor as well but ultimately decided against it after a "legal analysis of accountability."
http://www.trbimg.com/img-533aebd8/turbine/chi-kass-john-wrana-columns-20140401/150/150x150 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-kass-john-wrana-columns-20140401-storygallery.html)

"Based on the facts and the law, we felt that the charges should only be brought against the officer who actually took the actions," she said.
Taylor’s lawyer, Terry Ekl, told reporters it was a “shame” that Taylor had to go through the trauma of being arrested, handcuffed and brought to court.
“I think it is absolutely crystal clear that Craig Taylor did absolutely nothing wrong,” he said.

Asked how the indictment had impacted Taylor, Ekl said, “He has not had a good night’s sleep since the day he found out he was being indicted. He wakes up in the middle of the night. It’s had a terrible effect on him emotionally.”

http://www.trbimg.com/img-54b972bc/turbine/chi-wrana16-taylor-ct0025904733-20150116/750/750x422
Caption Lunch break Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune

Park Forest police Officer Craig Taylor leaves the Markham courthouse for lunch Jan. 16, 2015, the fourth day of his trial on a reckless conduct charge in the death 95-year-old John Wrana.

Caption Craig Taylor trial Chuck Berman, Chicago Tribune
Park Forest police Officer Craig Taylor, center, walks to the Markham courthouse with Park Forest Deputy Chief Peter Green on Jan. 15, 2014. Taylor is on trial for reckless conduct in the death 95-year-old John Wrana.

Caption John Wrana case Alicia Fabbre, for the Tribune
John Wrana's stepdaughter Sharon Mangerson speaks to the news media at the Markham courthouse after an April 2014 hearing at which Park Forest police Officer Craig Taylor pleaded not guilty to felony reckless conduct in Wrana's death.

Caption Craig Taylor trial Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune
Park Forest police Officer Craig Taylor, left, arrives at the Markham courthouse Jan. 14, 2015, for his trial in the death of World War II veteran John Wrana.

Caption John Wrana case A memorial card for veteran John Wrana, provided by the John H. Blakey Center for Seniors in Glenwood.

Taylor, who has been on desk duty since being charged last April, hopes to return to active duty, but he still faces a multimillion-dollar wrongful-death lawsuit by Wrana’s family. Ekl said he would not let Taylor publicly comment on his acquittal because of the pending lawsuit.
Taylor, 44, fired the beanbag rounds after Wrana struck a paramedic with a cane and refused police orders to drop a filleting knife in July 2013 at the Victory Centre complex. Wrana died at a hospital hours later of internal bleeding.

Prosecutors argued at trial that Taylor — a 10-year veteran of the force — and four other officers had rushed to judgment the night they were called to Wrana's room, deciding within minutes to employ a "violent extrication" that led to Wrana's death.
Taylor fired beanbag rounds from a shotgun from a much closer range than called for during training, prosecutors said.

cComments (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-verdict-met-20150204-story.html#)

Are they rioting and looting in Winnetka tonight? No, I didn't think so.
0025LIRIA
at 6:42 PM February 04, 2015


Add a comment (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-verdict-met-20150204-story.html#) See all comments (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-verdict-met-20150204-story.html#)
169 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-wrana-beanbag-shooting-verdict-met-20150204-story.html#)

But in the trial's emotional highlight, Taylor testified that he feared for his life and those of his fellow officers when Wrana took a shuffling step forward with the knife raised. Taylor said that after the first shot or two failed to stop Wrana, he thought he had the authority to use lethal force — opening fire with his handgun — but chose not to, in part because of Wrana's advanced age.

Ekl maintained there was not a shred of evidence that Taylor had acted recklessly, which by law is defined as deliberately or consciously disregarding Wrana's safety or well-being.

Ekl also traded barbs in court with a prosecutor, complaining to Panici that she was "just playing to the media" by repeatedly bringing up Wrana's war service.
http://www.trbimg.com/img-533c5330/turbine/chi-pdf-john-wrana-craig-taylor-proffer-20140402/300/300x169 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-pdf-john-wrana-craig-taylor-proffer-20140402-htmlstory.html) PDF: The case against police officer (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-pdf-john-wrana-craig-taylor-proffer-20140402-htmlstory.html)

"I've heard enough about World War II," Ekl said. "It's nothing but an attempt to create more sympathy for Mr. Wrana."

Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, Wrana's family took shots at Ekl for "disparaging our grandfather under the cloak of providing the best defense."
According to trial testimony, officers had twice gone into Wrana's room, only to retreat after he threatened them — first with a long, red-handled shoehorn and his black metal cane, later with a filleting knife with a 7-inch blade.

Cmdr. Michael Baugh conferred outside Wrana's apartment with Cpl. Lloyd Elliot, then instructed the group to form a "stack" — a staggered, single-file line — to enter Wrana's home, with Baugh in the lead carrying a shield and Taser, according to testimony.

Baugh ordered Wrana to drop the knife. When he didn't, the commander fired the Taser, but its prongs missed.

Taylor, who was second in the line, twice ordered Wrana to drop the knife and then fired five beanbag rounds. Four rounds struck Wrana, who dropped the knife into a small plastic garbage can after being struck in the hand by the final round.

Wrana died five hours later after refusing surgery to repair an intestine that was torn and other injuries that caused massive internal bleeding.
The prosecution's case rested heavily on Francis Murphy, a former Secret Service supervisor who testified that the officers had other options and escalated the confrontation by storming Wrana's room instead of giving him time to cool off.

But the defense called Steven Ijames, a national expert on the use of less-lethal force who said the officers used admirable restraint.

[mick silver]

no one care about life anymore , just a thought