This week:
Ella French’s killer gets a sickening sweetheart deal.
Indianapolis cops charged in the Anthony Maclin OIS.
Albuquerque cop targeted in drive-by shooting.
Le’keian Woods video emerges.
Breonna Taylor’s BF arrested for drug trafficking. We are all shocked.
1. Ella French
Ella French deserved better. The 29 year-old Chicago police officer was gunned down on August 7, 2021 during a traffic stop by cowardly thugs. Her partner (Officer Carlos Yanez) was critically wounded during the gunfight. The offenders are brothers (Emonte and Eric Morgan).
Emote (who pulled the trigger) was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. His trial is upcoming.
Eric (22) was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and obstruction of justice.
If found guilty of all charges Eric faced 23 years in prison. However, this week he has been offered a sweetheart plea deal by prosecutors. The terms of the plea deal call for Eric to serve just 7 years in prison. Eric’s attorney could hardly hide his excitement and informed the media that his client “will likely” take the deal.
If you play a role in the killing of a police officer - there should be no plea deal.
The only negotiation should be over whether Eric gets the electric chair or the firing squad.
2. Anthony Maclin
In December 2022 Vickie Driver called police and reported that an unknown and suspicious vehicle was parked in her driveway. Indianapolis Police responded and found Anthony Maclin in the driver’s seat of the vehicle in the driveway. Police officers observed that Mr. Maclin had a firearm in his lap.
Ms. Driver spoke with police officers on scene and said that she wanted to make sure that it was not any of her grandkids. The vehicle had a Florida license plate and officers asked Ms. Driver if she had any grandchildren from Florida and she responded that she did not.
After approximately three minutes on the scene, police officers knocked on the window to wake up Mr. Maclin. When he finally awoke police issued verbal commands for five seconds. Police officers then fired several rounds and Mr. Maclin was struck three times and he sustained non-life threatening injuries. His medical bills to date are nearing one million dollars.
Ben Crump tweeted the following about this incident:
John Kautzman (an attorney for one of the involved officers) stated, “He was not shot while sleeping,” “He was wide awake. He was awake. He reached for a gun. He turned that gun in the direction of the officers.”
Officers Carl Chandler and Alexander Gregory were indicted and face multiple charges (aggravated battery, battery with a deadly weapon, and battery resulting in serious bodily injury) for the shooting.
Ben Crump mentioned that Mr. Maclin was asleep in a car and then mentioned that Mr. Maclin was shot by police officers. Surely, there was something relevant that transpired in between. However, given the millions of views that a tweet like that will garner - the lack of context and honesty are intentional. Crump knows what headlines make anti-police activists salivate. And he knows how to tailor any incident to fit his dishonest narrative.
If police officers saw that Mr. Maclin had a gun in his lap while sleeping - knocking on the window to wake him up was an odd tactical move. It should have been predictable that Mr. Maclin (or anyone else in that situation) would reach for or touch the gun - upon being awoken.
Let’s talk about how police officers can better handle these situations in an effort to improve training, tactics, and encourage peaceful outcomes.
Officers spoke with Ms. Driver and asked about the Florida license plate. They could have taken a picture of him and showed it to her - to see if she recognized the individual.
This is why there is no substitute for experience and good supervision.
The body cam video does not depict if Mr. Maclin reached for, held, touched, or moved the gun towards police officers.
The few seconds after an individual is woken up - their reaction may be mired in confusion.
No ill intent towards police officers would be required for an event like this to spiral out of control.
3. APD Officers targeted in drive by shooting
Watch this video and then tell me that police officers do not have a dangerous job.
Remnants of how Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was killed a few weeks ago in LA County.
When police officers make a traffic stop or respond to a domestic violence call - they know the risks. Police train for the risks. Therefore, they always have a fighting chance. Even if they are attacked - I’ll put my money on a trained cop over a degenerate criminal.
But, it’s the cold randomness of an incident like this that shocks the conscience. Watching this body camera footage from an Albuquerque Police officer is a scary reminder that the criminal element will try to kill police officers - just for wearing the uniform.
Two Albuquerque Police officers had an individual in custody and seated on a curb. A vehicle (unrelated in any way to the arrestee) drove by and the driver fired several rounds at police officers. The officers were not struck. The offender (Kevin Andrew Morales-Molina) was arrested shortly after without incident.
Molina admitted to shooting the gun but denied trying to harm officers. He is facing charges of: Aggravated assault on a peace officer, Shooting at or from a motor vehicle, and Negligent use of a firearm.
The Albuquerque Police Chief (Harold Medina) made a strong and important statement on Twitter regarding this incident.
Police Chief’s in Blue cities that are under the control of a DOJ Consent Decree are usually not so vocal about federal oversight.
Thank you Chief!
Reform measures aimed to improve police agencies are important - but the reality that street cops exist in must not be forgotten.
It’s astounding that Molina was not prevented from owning or firing the gun due to the anti 2A order from the NM Governor (Michelle Lujan-Grisham)
4. Le’keian Woods video
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Police Law Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.