Houston Police Officer Cleared After Shooting Jordan Baker Dead
A grand jury has cleared Houston Police officer Juventino Castro in the shooting death of Jordan Baker. The 28-year-old black father’s family believes he was profiled when he was stopped for looking “suspicious” just before he was shot dead by the officer.
[su_center_ad]Burnt Orange Report reports:
Jordan Baker, a young black man, a father, a son, a partner, a Houstonian, was walking through the parking lot of a mall on January 16. He was stopped by an off-duty cop who was working security because he looked “suspicious.” He was unarmed. He was shot and killed.
And now, the killing of Jordan Baker is one of nearly 300 instances in which Houston grand juries have let officers walk in an instance of excessive use of force.
Castro claims that Baker looked “suspicious” because he was wearing a black hoodie.
He added that “a brief struggle and foot chase ensued.” According to Castro, Baker stopped, then ran toward the officer while reaching into his waistband and that’s when Castro shot him dead. Baker was unarmed.
Recently, officers involved in the shooting deaths of unarmed black men allege that they began charging them. In Darren Wilson’s case, he referred to Michael Brown as looking like the “Hulk” and a “demon.” And let’s not forget how Trayvon Martin was demonized for having the audacity to wear a hoodie. (By the way, I have about six or seven hoodies and I’m white).
H/T: LL’s Mod-God Mea_Mark with thanks.[su_csky_ad]
StoneyCurtisll December 23rd, 2014 at 4:57 pm
There seems to be a common thread here…
“he was reaching into his waistband”..(where have we heard this before)
Yet they were all unarmed…
Why would an unarmed person “reach into their waistband”?
This is obviously what the police have been told to say if they ever use deadly force on an unarmed citizen.
Roctuna December 23rd, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Yep, it’s part of the standard script now, hoodie, waistband, charging, failed to exhibit instant obedience to commands or simply didn’t obey fast enough. That’s all that’s required to kill with impunity because apparently deadly force is the only option when encountering a civilian who seems “suspicious”.
whatthe46 December 23rd, 2014 at 9:03 pm
oh and don’t forget, sleeping in a park also makes you suspicious.
edmeyer_able December 23rd, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Let that be a lesson gents never leave the house w/o powdering the “boys”, you don’t want an itchy crotch being the reason you were shot 14 times………/s
Carla Akins December 23rd, 2014 at 7:33 pm
I used to work at a car dealership, I was always amazed at the number of men that would unconsciously adjust themselves in public – as they approached someone to shake their hand and introduce themselves. It was stunning. But to my knowledge it never got any of them shot. 😉
tracey marie December 23rd, 2014 at 4:59 pm
so sad how another black father, brother, husband, son has been taken because of a white cop feeling the need to be aggressive
neworleans878 December 23rd, 2014 at 5:08 pm
American grand juries…the gift that keeps on giving….to cops.
Tommy6860 December 23rd, 2014 at 5:22 pm
It appears we have a new justice system now, where the prosecutors become defense attorneys for the cops.
:'(
whatthe46 December 23rd, 2014 at 5:33 pm
apparently.
Cosmic_Surfer December 23rd, 2014 at 7:04 pm
It has always been thus. Police are rarely indicted or convicted if indicted –
Regards from Denver – the tiny city that has a tendency to rehire officers convicted of brutality and excessive force then forced off the job
Khary A December 23rd, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Well it’s official now, America a land that is unapologetic and actively hostile toward me and my gene-kin. First let me say this I can’t stand children BUT I was under the impression that if this aspect of me ever changed I would feel good about creating one here. Consider that notion dashed on the rocks of broken promises offered by this country. I wouldn’t see my scion culled like I see so many others. Whatever, there’s no use crying over spilled mitochondria right? OH right there is spilled mitochondria and it is worth crying for. Hmmm how many tears does it take to craft the bitter wine of righteous fury?
R.J. Carter December 23rd, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I believe Wilson’s comment was that he felt like he was up against Hulk Hogan — not the monstrous jade-jaw behemoth of The Avengers.
Carla Akins December 23rd, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Actually he said “a 5-year-old holding on to Hulk Hogan”. Ridiculous statement, exaggerated for effect – the difference in their size was not that significant.
R.J. Carter December 23rd, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Regarding the story at hand, is this the only mall in America that doesn’t have security cameras trained on their parking lots?
Carla Akins December 23rd, 2014 at 6:26 pm
I wondered the same thing. They have money to hire off duty cops but no cameras, that seems really odd. Each of these stories is heartbreaking but in their totality – they’re scary as hell.
I understand that as a white person that it is difficult for some to get “white-privilege” and are resistant to their own unintentional bias but I don’t understand how so many can deny this is happening.
I also can’t believe that this many members of law enforcement are hate filled racist looking to intentionally shoot and kill young black men (but I’m sure there are some).
What kind of breakdown has the system suffered to have gotten to this point? And what do we do about it? Sorry, just kind of musing aloud (so to speak).
whatthe46 December 23rd, 2014 at 5:35 pm
lies are so easy to come by. baker can’t argue this fact. i guess no camera’s are in the lot, that or they didn’t check for them. i put nothing pass the police department or the D.A.’s office.
mea_mark December 23rd, 2014 at 6:39 pm
The con of the 21st century, the police are out to protect us and to serve in our best interests.
tiredoftea December 23rd, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Any bets on whether it took longer to consider charges against the dog killing cop?
whatthe46 December 23rd, 2014 at 9:00 pm
no one around other than the two of them and the cops still don’t have a care in the world, that they can actually murder a man who’s unarmed, without even placing a drop gun at their feet. its just his word. i thought he had a gun or he was reaching for something. kiss my sweet brown a&&!!!
tiredoftea December 23rd, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Yeah, they don’t need that fiction anymore. Their control over the entire criminal “justice” system is complete.