Surveillance video doesn't lie?

Interesting story from the L.A. Times:

A Los Angeles judge abruptly ended a trial and exonerated a man of possessing cocaine Monday after a courtroom confrontation in which a defense attorney produced a surprise video of his client's arrest that sharply contradicted the testimony of two police officers.

The defense claims the officers planted evidence and that one told the other "Be creative in your writing" when it came to making his report. Prosecutors say the grainy tape appeared to have been altered but that it was still enough to prevent them from proceeding with the case.

The end of the article touches on the bigger picture:

Civil rights attorney Connie Rice, who has studied the LAPD and pushed for reforms, said the department has tried in recent years to root out dishonest officers... But she said, there are some who take shortcuts and lie.

"In their minds, they're compensating for a system that's rigged to keep them from making the arrests and getting the convictions they want," she said.

| Sara Shepherd

Comments

[Sarge]

Any cop that fabricates evidence needs to go to jail and be barred from carryng a badge, anywhere, ever again.

[Truth Teller]

And this is the "Best system in the World?"

[Dave]

Aw yes, the pro queer, pro criminal element will have a field day with this.

[Joe]

The LAPD shoots itself in the foot over and over. They haven't increased the public's trust in them and they have done very little to combat the gang violence that has become a plague in the city.

[ptt]

I agree that A N Y public official who misuses their position/power to deny a citzen their rights/freedom should be made to serve that period of incarceration the citizen would have be subjected to. Thats Judges, Prosecutors, Police Officers and even lieing Dog Catchers! Personal rights are far to important to be denied by liars. If this were the punishment you'd see far fewer incidents of this happening. ACCOUNTABILITY NOW!!!!

"Aw yes, the pro queer, pro criminal element will have a field day with this."

So no one else should be outraged? Do you think the cops did nothing wrong? If so, doesn't that make you "pro criminal"?

[TC]

Wow, I don't know if this proves that the police planted any evidence, however I don't like hearing about police cutting corners. It's just that there are so many truly innocent people in prison because corners were cut, and if this guy is really a crack dealer he'd get caught eventually, it's just one of those inevitable things.

[Geronimo]

What if you're a queer, criminal cop? Just curious.

[Ni]

This department is the reason OJ Simpson is a free man. Great job LAPD, nice to see nothings changed!

[in2ropin]

I agree with sarge. No one should ever wear another badge if they get on stand and lie. Honor and Integrity a must.

[Joe Momma]

"But she said, there are some who take shortcuts and lie."

Some?

[CJA]

Look, most police are not going to frame someone, commit perjury, or engage in this type of behavior. But some do. And when that happens, there should be outrage and the punishment to THOSE criminals should be severe. Dave said: "Aw yes, the pro queer, pro criminal element will have a field day with this" What does this mean? If you are not outraged by this story, you ought to be.