# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942 "2014-10-10T07:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 116
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2301 "2015-05-01T16:24:25Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > How is it not clear? He observed some policemen who were minding _their_ own business and decided to freak out and run away from them. That’s probable cause. That’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2302 "2015-05-01T16:24:41Z")
Well, the only people who say he ran from the police are the police who are charged with his murder and also, given that he did die while in police custody, it would seem like running from the police makes good sense. If he did run, he’d be alive today if he had got away. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2303 "2015-05-01T16:25:57Z")
[Witness Who Rode with Freddie Gray Contradicts Police Claims.](http://www.democracynow.org/2015/5/1/headlines#513) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2304 "2015-05-01T16:29:05Z")
Honest question **Smapti** , Gray had committed no crime and yet he was detained by Baltimore police and died in their custody of unnatural causes. That doesn’t bother you? You don’t see any problem with what happened to Gray? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2305 "2015-05-01T16:31:23Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, no, that is exactly what they should **not** do, if the trial does not help us determine whether the cops broke the law or not. And don’t pretend that there isn’t exactly one answer to that question that will satisfy the mob. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2306 "2015-05-01T16:32:27Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Honest question **Smapti** , Gray had committed no crime and yet he was detained by Baltimore police and died in their custody of unnatural causes. That doesn’t bother you? You don’t see any problem with what happened to Gray? If he hadn’t run, he’d be alive today. His death was basically a form of assisted suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2307 "2015-05-01T16:45:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > His death was basically a form of assisted suicide. Is that legal in the US? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2308 "2015-05-01T16:50:21Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If he hadn’t run, he’d be alive today. We don’t know that. If he had gotten away, he’d be alive today. Considering that these cops killed him, perhaps running was the wise choice. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2309 "2015-05-01T16:51:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > We don’t know that. If he had gotten away, he’d be alive today. Considering that these cops killed him, perhaps running was the wise choice. He ran. He’s dead. Clearly, running was not the wise choice. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2310 "2015-05-01T16:53:28Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > He ran. He’s dead. Clearly, running was not the wise choice. Not necessarily. The cops killed him, and might have killed him regardless. If so, running was the only chance he had to live. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2311 "2015-05-01T16:55:15Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Not necessarily. The cops killed him, and might have killed him regardless. If so, running was the only chance he had to live. The entire reason the police took notice of him at all is _because_ he ran. You’re just being silly. ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2312 "2015-05-01T16:55:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If he hadn’t run, he’d be alive today. His death was basically a form of assisted suicide. They had no probable cause. Therefore, the minute they pursued, the police were breaking the law. Do you 1. support the rule of law or 2. oppose the rule of law? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2313 "2015-05-01T16:56:35Z")
You might want to look up the definitions of “might” and “only”. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2314 "2015-05-01T16:58:01Z")
Things **Smapti** has made-up/lied about in the last 60 posts or so: that Christians are a minority and most Christians believe there is a “[war on Christmas](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18329158&postcount=2256)”, that most black people believe [AIDS is a CIA plot](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18329193&postcount=2258) to kill black people, and that Gray was arrested for running away and [this was ‘probable cause’](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18332201&postcount=2297). So about 1 out of every 20 posts or so is derived solely from **Smapti** ’s rectum. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2315 "2015-05-01T16:58:49Z")
I wonder whether it might be more just to require a change of venue for cops that are charged with improper homicide. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2316 "2015-05-01T16:59:11Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The entire reason the police took notice of him at all is _because_ he ran. You’re just being silly. So say the cops indicted for multiple charges. I’m not convinced they are telling the truth. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2317 "2015-05-01T17:12:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If he hadn’t run, he’d be alive today. His death was basically a form of assisted suicide. That’s assuming he did run and that’s not a lie concocted by the people who killed him But let’s say he did run, he made a bad decision. Remember, no one is saying he committed any crime. He deserves death? The only way to avoid death is to treat each police officer with abject subservience and any deviation from that subservience is ‘suicide?’ ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2318 "2015-05-01T17:15:39Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > But let’s say he did run, he made a bad decision. Remember, no one is saying he committed any crime. He deserves death? The only way to avoid death is to treat each police officer with abject subservience and any deviation from that subservience is ‘suicide?’ At this point, it should be obvious to anyone with the slightest iota of a self preservation instinct that not treating the police with the same respect one would a mama grizzly is not going to end well for you. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2319 "2015-05-01T17:16:57Z")
> [@bashere](#): > > They had no probable cause. Therefore, the minute they pursued, the police were breaking the law. The moment he fled, they had cause. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/2320 "2015-05-01T17:20:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So say the cops indicted for multiple charges. I’m not convinced they are telling the truth. And what is your evidence that they’re lying? What do you propose happened instead - that the police noticed a black man standing around minding his own business and proclaimed “Yee hah, open season!” before proceeding to beat him to death for funsies? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=117)