Slog - Comments on Perjury Charge Against Seattle Cop Dropped http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp The Meade County State's Attorney has dropped perjury charges against SPD detective Ron Smith for his involvement in the August 8th shooting of a Hell's Angel at a biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. The perjury charge apparently stemmed from confusion over whether the gun Smith used in the shooting was his personal firearm or a SPD service weapon. Records from SPD initially indicated the gun was department issued, but further investigation revealed Smith had purchased the weapon from the department in 1996. Smith still faces assault and weapons charges... Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:41:23 -0800 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:08:02 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Trevor Does "further investigation" mean sources produced by the SPD, or found elsewhere?

]]> Trevor http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1126955 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1126955 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:24:37 -0800 Comment by Sirkowski He should get a medal.

]]> Sirkowski http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127172 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127172 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:57:11 -0800 Comment by six shooter All charges will be dropped.

]]> six shooter http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127384 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127384 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:56:27 -0800 Comment by Trevor "Seattle police later discovered that the gun Smith used was not a department-issued gun, but was one purchased by Smith from the Seattle police Athletic Association in 1996."

Does this sound fishy to anyone? Whoops! Now that you're charging him with perjury, we realize we made an error?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008160428_websturgis05m.html

]]> Trevor http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127395 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127395 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:17:18 -0800 Comment by Amelia I got a real problem with this cop and especially this cop investigation.

]]> Amelia http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127442 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127442 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:06:59 -0800 Comment by six shooter A prosecutor does not deserve the title if he can't get a grand jury to indict.

Let's say, for example, the police officer owns two guns. Gun A is his personal gun. He bought it from the department five years ago at the end of its service life. Gun B is his department gun. Gun A and Gun B are the exact same model of gun. Their only difference is age and serial number.

Let's say, for example, a prosecutor in an investigation asks the police officer which gun he brought with him into the bar.

The police officer answers "my department issued gun."

The prosecutor says "are you sure?"

The police officer answers "absolutely."

The prosecutor then points out to a grand jury the serial number of gun taken at the bar does not match that of his police issued gun.

Has the police officer perjured himself? Has he made a mistake? Did he lie for a reason?

These questions fall outside the purpose of the grand jury. These are questions for a trial jury if the case ever goes to trial. Therefore, an indictment.

Once again: Expect all charges to be dropped. The wheels of justice are slow, but they will turn.

]]> six shooter http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127443 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/perjury_charge_against_seattle_cop_dropp#c1127443 News Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:08:02 -0800