Sunday, May 22, 2011

When did running a stop sign become a capitol offense?

On May 10, 2011 Allen Kephart, a local mountain area resident ran a stop sign. He was pursued by a San Bernardino County Sheriff deputy. When he came to a stop at a local gas station the deputy ordered him out of the car. The deputy reports that he became uncooperative and combative, at which time the deputy used his taser on Kephart. Long and short of it is Kephart ended up dead as a result of the incident.

People who knew Kephart say he was not he kind of man who would become combative. Eye witnesses report that the deputy, and a second deputy who responded to the incident tasered Kephart between 5 to eight times. One witness told me they held the taser gun to the man's temple. To me this seems like excessive force, especial for a traffic stop. I don't feel running a stop sign requires this kind of action. If the deputies suspect this was a dangerous person, they could have run the plates on the car and seen there was no criminal record on the owner, and so this kind of force was probably not needed.

I don't have all the facts, and don't claim to know everything about this case. But I do know the San Bernardino Sheriff Homicide investigators are investigating, and that due to possible conflict of interest the autopsy is being conducted by Riverside county's coroner. I have not heard the autopsy results, or more detailed sheriff reports. But I'm still pretty sure America has no death penalty for running a stop sign...I'll keep you posted as I know more details.


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