I hate to pathologize people in the news, but this so seems like some sort of the psychology behind Munchhausen’s syndrome.  Some people want attention at ANY cost. 

Attention seeking to the point of self harm?

Wouldn’t a reasonable solution be for Northam and Fairfax to resign and Herring to caretaker until a new Lt. Gov. can be chosen in the fall election. I don’t think most people realize the entire Virginia legislature is up in the 2019 election, putting a de facto governor’s election on the ballot would be no big deal.

Considering the uprising against Gaddafi primarily took off after he turned AA guns on protest crowds. That seems pretty monstrous.

By that logic, the greatest tragedy of the last 6 months is the coup against Mugabe.

Not if it’s a magnetic lock.

Legislature I worked at had all the security points secured by push button magnetic locks that locked an electro-magnet to door panel, thus preventing opening in any direction. That is sort of what I imagined when I read this story.

Also, one way locks are a thing. To lock out doesn’t require to lock in.

The lower paying the job, the greater the power difference.

False Imprisonment is the tort. It’s kidnapping as a crime.

I hate to break it to you, but that’s there job. The courts make workers go through HR, but the only function of HR is litigation risk management and benefit management.

It’s kinda worse than that. If I was defense council and really wanted to muddy the waters, I would start presenting evidence on how many people are killed from tasers, batons, and physical confrontations from police. Then I’d argue that there is no non-lethal way to stop someone, only gradations of lethality.

Getting super technical, as it would be a legal argument, but if I were presenting an argument I would argue this : He didn’t intend the outcome (death) he was only attempting stop a wanted suspect (imply felon), The death, while tragic, was not what my client, Officer Slager, was attempting to accomplish.

I’m not sure the author of the Mother Jones article understood the plea agreement, or didn’t read it. The agreement states that the Government is asking for a sentence consistent with 2nd Degree Murder. I assume the defense will ask for something else, (I do defense work and would probably make an argument for…

There is no minimum prison time. Minimum total punishment is 5 years probation.

The plea agreement states that the Government will seek a sentence consistent with 2nd Degree murder. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get at some serious jail time.

Murder is hard, depending upon the statute it may require that the prosecution prove intent to kill as opposed to a desire to stop Scott from running away, regardless of the actions taken.

Clearly the defense thought they would not fair well at a second trial either, otherwise the plea deal makes no sense. It leaves life in prison on the table and up to the judge.

I understand the pessimism, but if you read the plea agreement, the government has stated an intention to ask for a sentence consistent with 2nd degree murder.

Let’s be honest. Furhman was going to give someone a get out of jail free card at some point. It was definitely better for society that it happened on live national TV.