Should one be charged with manslaughter, just for pushing another person in the back?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/3fqj2lw

It would appear that this policeman is to be sent for trial, charged with manslaughter.

Do you think this is a little over the top, and this officer as been made a scapegoat in some way?

Yes it was obvious that the man was pushed but was that the cause of his death?

Did he fall and fracture his head? No.

Did the push cause internal bleeding? No.

He was in fact in the middle of a very violent riot almost, maybe he wasn't taking part, but he had been warned a number times.

The police as well as our military have a very difficult and at times a very dangerous job to do, and too many times in the heat of a disturbance or a battle, snap decisions have to be made, and as a result a death is caused.

If an innocent bystander happens to walk across a battle field, it is not the military who is to blame if he is killed, the same applies in a police incident, the message is simple if you don't want to get hurt, keep out of the way.

I know that all the cop bashers on here will be queuing up to cry me down over this, but like them or loath them, there may come a time when one might need them.

[jno]

if they keep him on yet again, maybe he'll become your village bobby, boxtops?

[boxtops]

Phfaw, don't send him here, jno.....

[jno]

I expect he'd do his rounds driving a Humvee, while saying "ello, ello, ello".

[Zeuhl]

I believe there are numerous legal precedents where a pre existing condition in the deceased was not accepted in a murder trial. I recall a recent case where a moderate punch killed someone because they had an undetected 'thin skull'.

The fact remains that without that assault they would still be alive.

The OP may not have watched the footage of this officer in the preceding half hour over-reacting violently and dangerously with others. Or know of his previous dismissal from the police for violence.

Even so, it is clear IMHO that the victim's behaviour annoyed the officer who decided to 'teach him a lesson'. So far as i know, annoying a policeman is not a criminal offence in this country yet - and certainly not one that warrants physical violence from a uniformed yob.

I expect most decent officers are ashamed of him and his behaviour - especially as he was stupid enough to do it in front of cameras.
.

[jewellerjim]

watch the footage - hopefully it will then be a YES

[sir.prize]

Eddie - try to keep up. A link was posted on page 1 at 17.40 . . .

[R1Geezer]

The bloke was drunk, already had medical problems, had been behaving like a titfer tat, warned several times. How except on planet Sandyroe can it be manslaughter? He was cleared once, obviously not the "right" answer for your lefties who smell bl00d. A disgrace, he'll get off and the lawyers will make a bomb, all so a bunch of lefties can feel better about things.

[carrust]

An old rugby chum of mine (also an ex boxer) was drinking in a pub in the city centre. He was recognised by a bloke who was merry, but not drunk. This guy started to goad my mate pushing him round & poking him with his finger etc. He walked out of the pub, but the bloke followed him, but this time he started taking swings at him. My mate being an ex-boxer knew how to handle himself, & he just dodged the punches.In the end, & to cut a long story short my mate ended up hitting him. The guy hit his head on a kerb stone which killed him. He ended up going to jail for manslaughter, even though he pleaded self-defence.

[Sqad]

carrust

.<<< The guy hit his head on a kerb stone which killed him>>>

That is the bottom line.

Now did the incident which made Tomlinson do to ground cause bleeding from his liver and subsequent death.

if the jury think that it did....he will go down.
If the jury are not convinced.....he will walk away.

[Arti]

Whether or not this was manslaughter will be decided in the courts. In a way, I hope it is, so that that vile, rat of a copper who assaulted Mr Tomlinson violently, without any cause whatsoever, gets his just desserts, and Mr Tomlinson's family will have some closure and justice.

[sandyRoe]

"How except on planet sandyroe can it be manslaughter?'
Imagine someone had pushed a policeman that day and he'd fallen and died. Would there be any doubt about bringing a charge of manslaughter?

[Zeuhl]

<<The bloke was drunk, already had medical problems, had been behaving like a titfer tat, warned several times>>

Warning about The World According to R1 Geezer

If you or any of your loved ones:

ever get drunk
have medical problems
behave like a 'titfer tat'

If i police officer tells you or them to jump, you must immediately respond 'how high?'

Otherwise, you may be killed by a cowardly blow from behind.

Nice world Geezer - and you're welcome to it!
.

[rov1100]

The victim was an acoholic with liver problems. Just needed a nudge to tip him over the edge.

[sir.prize]

rov100 - and the police officer was a known 'thug' with two previous aggression charges against him.

[Zeuhl]

In law, the perpetrator of a violent 'nudge' is a murderer.

Alternatively, we could make the killing of anyone over 70 a less serious offence on the basis they probably had some physical weakness anyway.