Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Christopher Behles started the day Tuesday in court for a hearing on a single misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment, stemming from an April incident in which he fired his service weapon at a fleeing suspect’s vehicle.
By the end of the day he had been indicted by a grand jury on a single felony count of first-degree assault, and two misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault.
Behles, 37, was first charged April 29 in connection with an incident earlier that month. The new charges came hours after a brief hearing Tuesday morning in Harford County District Court, after which State’s Attorney Joseph Cassilly said he would bring the case against Behles before a grand jury.
At that time, it was not immediately clear when the grand jury would hear the case. But in an e-mail to The Dagger, Cassilly said he was able to take the case to the grand jury just a short time later.
“Coincidentally the grand jury was meeting today so I left district court and came across the street,” Cassilly said.
At the time of the incident, the Sheriff’s Office said Behles was off-duty and on his way home when he was rear-ended on Norrisville Road by William Harvey V, 33, of Jarrettsville. Behles identified himself as an officer and an altercation ensued when Harvey attempted to flee the scene of the accident.
According to charging documents against Harvey, witnesses said Behles fired his service pistol multiple times at Harvey’s vehicle as it fled, but failed to hit Harvey himself. Behles pursued Harvey into Baltimore County, where Harvey crashed his vehicle and was apprehended by Behles after a brief foot chase. Both sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Heading into Tuesday’s District Court hearing, Behles had the option to enter a plea or request a jury trial. Behles’ attorney, Shaun Owens of Baltimore firm Schlachman, Belsky, and Weiner, declined to say whether or not he requested a jury trial, and Cassilly likewise would not specifically say that Behles’ defense attorneys had done so.
Instead, Cassilly said after the very brief hearing that he would take the case before a grand jury. At the time, Owens said he hoped that jury would exonerate his client.
“I certainly hope the citizens of this county accurately apply the law and find my client is absolutely not at fault,” Owens said.
Behles was suspended with pay from his duties with the Sheriff’s Office when he was first charged; he has continued to receive pay due to the charge against him being a misdemeanor, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Edward Hopkins. Hopkins said that deputies who are charged with a felony can be, but are not required to be, suspended without pay.
“At this point we have not received any criminal paperwork related to DFC Behles and he remains suspended with pay,” Hopkins said.
Other than an entry in an online court database, the only document available in Harford County Circuit Court related to Behles new charges was a single page true bill indictment which arrived late in the day. The document, presented below, lists Harvey as the victim in all three counts, but provides no additional detail on Behles’ actions that day.
Dagger Contributing Editor Cindy Mumby provided additional reporting for this story.
This whole story is BS. If I was a Sheriff’s Deputy I wouldn’t do anything anymore. This same states attorney is quick to drop charges against #hitbags but even quicker to charge an officer who did the right thing. So Mr. Cassilly what message are you sending just don’t fire your gun officers, this causes officers to second guess themselves and someone will get hurt. Politics at its best
This is not politics at its best. It is politics at its worst. To believe that the States Attorney is the only one involved from a political standpoint is being very naive.
This is a message to all Deputies from the Sheriff and his senior staff, that if you do not support the Sheriff politically, then each and every day you are going about your work you better be perfect. If you miss dotting one i, or fail to cross one t, you will have opened yourself up to the full array of ramifications that they can assail on you. The message is clear, if it wasn’t already, I will not tolerate anyone who opposes me politically.
Mike, your comments are bullshit. You are so anti-Bane you don’t think straight. You are now saying that a Democrat, Bane, controls the States Attorney, a Republican. Give me a break. You are a predjudiced embicile who hides behind his seemingly neutral stand. Bull shit.
I made no comment that inferred that Sheriff Bane “controls” the States Attorney. That would be your comment. I did not infer that the Deputy did nothing wrong. My comments are directed to those who “choose” to prosecute the Deputy. Each and every day in this county, the States Attorney chooses not to prosecute one of our criminals. Most of the time it is because he/she is willing to snitch on another criminal. Did the Deputy make a mistake? Probably, but if you know the inner workings of the law, you also know that the States Attorney had a choice. They could have chosen not to prosecute, and left this for the Sheriff to deal with internally for disciplinary action. Share with us why you believe that didn’t happen.
Of course the SA determines who to prosecute. You already admitted the deputy made a mistake. So what? Did the SA do his job or not. Forget Bane for once and answer the question. I say again to your comments above-BULLSHIT.
We have people in Harford County who make mistakes each and every day. Not everyone gets charged. In fact, many have charges dismissed by the SA as the SA determines not to prosecute, and some of those folks are some very bad people.
What question is it you want me to answer while I forget about Bane?
“We have people in Harford County who make mistakes each and every day. Not everyone gets charged.”
This is an unfortunate truth. A close friend was assaulted by an ex a little over a year ago and the Asst. State’s Attorney dropped the charges against the assailant because (and this is literally what I heard her tell the victim’s defense attorney in court) the victim “brought the assault upon herself.” Why did the victim and not the assailant have a defense attorney you ask? Because while the victim was in the hospital following the assault the assailant filed multiple fraudulent assault charges against the her. No police records, no evidence of injury, only family members acting as “witnesses.” Since the victim could not afford an attorney she was provided with a public defender with whom she met for the first time the day of the trial. Needless to say it did not work out in her favor and she is still suffering from the injuries sustained in the assault. I used to have faith in the criminal justice system. Then I moved to Harford County.
This indictment is bullcrap.
Joe cassilly is a joke.
Not many cases where you can fire on a fleeing suspect. The Policemen’s life was not in danger at that time. Was he pissed? Sure. But I can’t shoot at a burglar who is leaving my house. If I can’t then a cop can’t.
The real question should be: If you shot at the burglar who was leaving your house and you missed, would you be prosecuted for first degree assault? Odds are you would not as long as your gun was legal.
Way to understand the law, Mike. Of course you would. There are numerous cases right here in Harford County to prove it.
Really? Feel free to post several of them here.
Mike, read the papers once and awhile. Bullshit to you.
jedgar,
I thought that your reply above was about the best you could do. I can honestly say that I have not read any news article in recent history that described an incident where a persons home was being burglarized and the homeowner fired their legal weapon at the fleeing burglar, only to be charged themselves with felony assault, as a result of that action. Who lodged the complaint… the burglar?
I dare say I would be charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder and a variety of other charges. Please explain a “legal” gun. Even if the gun were stolen it would have no bearing on the original charges. And because MD has no gun registry that is not an issue.
rw,
Please feel free to cite the numerous incidents that have occurred in Harford County, where the resident of a home has been charged with first degree assault as a result of shooting at a fleeing burglar who was burglarizing their home.
Better yet Mike, you cite any incident where a citizen fired on a thief fleeing the scene. And then I’ll cite those same incidents as the ones where charges were filed against the homeowner.
You do not know the laws governing self defense and the use of deadly force in Maryland.
rw,
I understand the law very well. But this is not about the law. This is about charging and prosecuting someone who may have violated the law. Every day, in jurisdictions all over this country, law enforcement entities and prosecutors choose not to charge individuals who have violated the law. My comment related to someone who shot at a fleeing burglar and ended up being charged for having done so. jedgar, jumped right out there and stated that there were numerous cases right here in Harford County where that has occurred. I then asked him, and later you, for examples of incidents in this county where that has occurred. Apparently there are none, and I am fine with that… screw the burglar!
Big Deal! As a practical matter, a grand jury will almost always return an indictment presented to it by a prosecutor. This is the basis for Judge Saul Wachler’s famous saying that a prosecutor can get a grand jury to ‘indict a ham sandwich.'” — Solomon L. Wisenberg, “Federal Grand Jury Crash Course”
Reassign the officer to H&M to finish off down in the dumps patrons.
Are you always a dickhead or are you just being one today?
Agreed, indictments are meaningless since there is very little control over what the state presents and the defense gets to present nothing. I would be a grand debate champion if none of my opponents were allowed to speak or even be present at the debate.
I hope everyone notes Mike Welsh’s statements. For him to blame Jessee Bane for this is ridiculous. I thought for the longest time that he was an objective poster. His true colors are now revealed. He has a political slant, and I suspect that he is a Gahler poster.
I have seen him post repeatedly in articles authored by Gahler and anything opposing or critical of Sheriff Bane. I can’t recall the first time, but it was obvious to me at that moment he had a bias against Bane and pr anyone else. That and his little sycophant Marc Eaton.
Because,
You are quite correct. I am critical of Sheriff Bane. The way he treats his personnel and his lack of knowledge on how to conduct effective policing in response to criminal activity will always bring out my criticisms. You try to imply that it is some personal bias. There is nothing personal about my comments, and at this point in time I do not support any other person for the position of Sheriff.
Mike, again, Bullshit.
It is never ridiculous to blame Jesse Bane if you understand the depth of his political deviousness. The Big B had his Lieutenant run for Sheriff in a half-ass campaign to not only divide votes but also see which officers would be naïve enough to support LT’s bid for office. Then in a drama similar to Robert Deniro’s character whacking everyone associated with the Lufthansa Heist, Bane has sought political revenge against anyone that has expressed their 1st amendment rights during his tenure. The Lieutenant’s “punishment” for running his faux campaign against JB, a promotion to Captain.
This Whole case is Bs. The Sheriff and the Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union should come out tommorow and speak in support of Deputy Behles but they wont. This department is in shambles why do any thing proactive anymore? In the back of your mind you always think am I next?????? Just let me do my job. DFC Behles is a well decorated cop with a good history of honest police work Mr. Cassilly. If you dont have anything to hide then put out the details of this case. But no You wont and I agree with a previous poster Law officers in this county are going to 2nd guess themselves on pulling and shooting their service weapon in a life and death situation. This is a clear officer safety issue if there is nothing to hide then put the facts out, in the mean time if a police officer is lost because they 2nd guessed themself could you sleep at night?
When citizens homes are being burglarized at 2 am should they call 911 or the SAO?
Is Joe Cassilly going to start patrolling Gremplar and Brookside with his ASA’s.
This case will not only leave the deputies in doubt, but it will have a negative impact on the citizens of Harford County, and their faith in the Sheriff’s Office.
Thats nothing. 5 officers have been fired for wrong doing in Havre de grace in the last year and a half and not one word is “allowed” to leak to the public. Breaking and entering, bad check writing, substance abuse, and sexual harassment to name a few reasons. You all worried about this crap have it lucky. Its time for a new Sheriff. And; for once in our lives; transparency in local governments.
So lets say a citizen has a permit to carry a fire arm, he gets into a accident and it’s the other persons fault and that car takes off, the citizen gets out of his car and fires off a few rounds at the fleeing car, would Mr. citizen be charged? The answer is hell yea, bottom line is cops are not above the law period, and if any cops on this thread say Mr. Citizen would not be charged are full of BS. Remember, Harvey was fleeing.
Lets say a citizen has a permit to carry a fire arm, he gets into an accident and it’s the other persons fault. The citizen gets our of his car and the person causing the accident tries to run the citizen down with their car. Concerned for his life and safety the citizen gets off a few rounds at the fleeing car. Would they be charged? Perhaps…. perhaps not. The key factor here is whether or not their life or safety is in jeopardy.
The initial news release from the Sheriff’s Office regarding this incident indicated that the Deputies safety and well being was in jeopardy and that’s when he discharged his firearm. I have not seen any information from the Sheriff’s Office to retract that statement.
I guess the bullet holes in the back of the vehicle were enough evidence for Cassilly to charge Behles with the crime. Its awful hard to conclude self defense when the danger is past. My question is why didn’t the charge of § 2-206. Attempt to commit murder in the second degree occur? Cassilly is giving Behles a break, like it or not…
The dirtbag has a record a mile long, he tried to run over the offier. Too bad the officer missed. Justice – whatever the hell happened to it? The officer’s life is wrecked and the dirtbag gets off again.
Wow! Nothing like sticking it to him. Your local drug dealer got released on his or her own recognizance though.
Joe Cassilly is a joke. Way to stand by your officers. Bane and the Union president NEED to support Behles right now but they won’t because they are afraid to ruffle any feathers instead of doing what’s right. I urge all of you to call Cassilly’s and Bane’s offices and let them know how you feel.
Mike Welsh, key word is fleeing, once suspect missed Mr. citizen if he was in fact trying to run him down the threat is over. Mr. citizen would in fact have charges filed against him because suspect was fleeing. Im not a cop hater, have quite a few that are friends, bottom line is no one is above the law, if Mr. citizen were to be charged than the same goes for the cop. What if one of his stray bullets him a kid?
Ed,
“Bottom line is no one is above the law.”
You and I couldn’t agree more on that statement. That is why I posted about “choice” to prosecute or not. Each and every day such determinations are made by the SA’s in this county and every one of the other jurisdictions in Maryland. You are not above the law, but you may not get prosecuted for your violation of the law.
On the face of it your description is correct. However, when is it exactly determined that a person is fleeing? Does fleeing begin the instant that the person starts to get away? Does fleeing begin when the person has exited the immediate area of the incident? Not enough information with just fleeing.
Lets consider the example someone used in a prior post about a home being burglarized and the homeowner shooting at a fleeing burglar. If the burglar is upstairs and is interrupted by the homeowner and then starts to “flee” by running down the hall and stairs, only to have another resident of the home shoot at the burglar on the lower level, is that against the law? After all, the burglar is fleeing is he not? The burglar is still in the house, and although fleeing, he still poses a “threat” in the mind of the shooter. In my view, shooting at someone “after the threat has ended” is what should be the determining factor. Fleeing is too general a term.
I could be fleeing in my car and you could be in my way. In the course of my flight I run right over you, but you can’t shoot, is that what you’re saying?
Flee
1.run away: to run away from something
2.disappear quickly: to pass or disappear quickly
Threat
1.declaration of intent to cause harm: the expression of an intention to cause harm or pain
2.sign of something bad: an indication that something unpleasant or dangerous is going to happen.
A suspect is “fleeing” or a “threat”. Was he shot in the front or the back?
In your example: if the perp is running down the stairs at my, he is a threat. If he is running out the kitchen door and I an in the hall, he is fleeing.
After the way this deputy was treated the police shouldn’t do anything but just show up for work. This is deputy like others puts his life on the line for the citizens of this county and is treated like this. For example the evening of July 4th most people will take for granted that Police will protect them. Come to Bel Air enjoy the festivities but remember that the Bel Air Police Department and Harford County Sheriff’s Office are protecting you and your family. Mr Cassilly have you forgotten this? You just prosecute which is respectable but try doing the job as a cop every day and dealing with the everyday BS. It isn’t fun but thinking that you might be the next target from your office is even less fun.
Its sad that the Harford County Sheriffs Office or the Deputy Sheriffs Union has not come out with a statement supporting DFC Behles. If this case was so cut and dry where are the facts? The states attorney wont release them???? Really Deputies are afraid to come to work because the tyrants on the 2nd floor and now the states attorneys office makes it impossible to do there job. Where is the Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union??? Who knows its like trying to find waldo in a poison ivy patch. It stings but nobody cares and your left to deal with the itch. Also still huge problems at the jail but who cares, WAKE UP PEOPLE…..
http://youtu.be/-YQG7wSyAq8 I wonder how this would have viewed by the Harford County States Attorney?
http://capecops.com/newsroom/2011/4/16/cape-coral-police-officer-involved-in-shooting-update.html
I can not find anything that says this Officer was charged for discharging his weapon. When your States Attorney, the Sheriff and his command staff don’t have your backs. You all have to survive for your 25. If they want a 7-11 police force, then give them one. Do nothing but answer calls and write your reports. They don’t care why should you. Jesse, this should give the citizens at your community meeting confidence it your new plan to fight crime. You eat your own, the majority of your department doesn’t trust you. Why should they put their necks on the line for you? Another thing Bane, stop standing on the graves of the Hero’s who lost their lives being cops to further your damn political career. They deserve much better then a pencil neck paper pusher such as you speaking for them. Your not worthy to even breath the same air as a real cop. Stick to dancing and riding in parades, this is about all you are good for. For the people at the Sheriff’s Office, time to take off the gloves and take Bane and his head hunters on. It is your department, Bane works for you. He can not fire all of you. Talk to people when you are off and let them know what is going on. If you don’t want another four years of Bane and his rogue Major with the unending supply of IA forms then get involved.
Now, Because and the rest of you Bane tools. Say what you want, I don’t care. If you defend him you are just like him and that makes you a bottom feeder to. Nothing you say bothers me, heard it all before. If you know me then you know I don’t really care what people think of me. I know who I am and I like me. I was not going to get involved in this election but this is a game changer. If any of you cowards want to talk to me you have my cell number, my email (marc0189@comcast.net). Bane or any of your head hunters feel free to call me if you have the stones. ( We all know none of you do)
Marc being that you are separated from the agency, you really have no idea of how DFC Behles is be supported, only what the rebels tell you.
Should the HCSO start a media war with the SAO? In the end, what would this accomplish?
The case was Nolle prosequi in the District Court, what makes you think it wont be the same in the Circuit Ct.?
Have you talked to DFC Behles?
Marc some of your posts are really nice, from the heart. I respect that, and I respect you. Come on though, in this case, the negative posts, not just from you, but the other posters seem self serving and politically motivated. Support DFC Behles by not trashing the agency you love. Anything else is just inciting the anybody involved or informed about the case.
Wow, a new angle. Be nice when you respond. I am not attacking the department, only Bane and his crew. I live in Baltimore County so how am I gaining politically? How am I self serving? I am not running and I can not vote. I am however for ABB, Anybody But Bane.
I can see how just sitting back and doing nothing has helped. I have one interest, seeing Bane gone and a new Sheriff taking over and treating the people the way myself and others were treated in our day. If the next Sheriff doesn’t keep his word and betrays the people he serves then I will do more of the same. So stop trying to make it sound like I have a motive for what I do so I can help myself. I am retired and I do not want to work there again. For anyone to think that I am doing this for a job step back and ask your self if you think any Sheriff wants me back there in any capacity? I was a cop, I am a retired cop and I am okay with that. I love my department and I will not be quite and just stand by. Sadly, some of the people I worked with at one time had a strong voice to. Seems they have lost that voice.
Marc, I agree with everything you said above. Bane is riding on the coattails of the departed deputies who were tragically lost last year. Too bad Sgt. Loughran isn’t around to post how Bane told him he was getting promoted to Lt. before he realized he was talking to the wrong person. Sorry, Ian, Bane’s bad. Now Bane is acting like he was their best friend. It is time for the deputies to take a stand against him, but unfortunately, as has been documented on this website over and over, God help you if you speak out against him. The agency members have chosen law enforcement as their careers and this is their livelihood and Bane has taken this away from deputies too numerous to count. Hopefully Bane will see a lot of Gahler for Sheriff signs as he rides and in the 4th of July parade while his deputies are not able to celebrate this day with their families. Pathetic little man.
Marc Eaton,
You have never intended to stay out of this election. I was told some time ago about you and how you bad mouth Bane constantly. What did Bane do to you? It had to be something more than you are saying for you to make the comments about Bane. I remember an earlier post where you threatened to get a lawyer and sue if any of the command staff told stories about you. What are you hiding? And, by the way, don’t lie about staying out of this election.
Oops you didn’t say.
Call me.
Marc, ignore the idiots. You know who your friends are and who has your back.
I think DAP is back.
Go away Marc. Get a talk show like your mentors Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh. It’s far more lucrative to get paid for the things you hate than to post in the Dagger.
I must be getting to you Chris, your bringing back the talk show bs.
Marc… how many people have you alienated in the same way? It’s not Chris.
Calling me out will not take the focus off Bane Chris. If you know me then call me and talk to me. You wont like the rest of the Bane crew, you allattack behind a fake name. If I am a loose cannon then why worry about what I say? Why comment and confront me? If I have alienated people then I guess they really were not friends in the first place. If my opinion of Bane caused them to shy away from me then I really don’t care. I am the same guy I was before I retired, outspoken and hard headed. If you knew me as you say you do then why are you shocked by what I say? Now, how many of you have turned on the people you work with when Bane became Sheriff? How many of you changed and started kissing tail of the second floor and turned your backs on the people you work with. Yep, I can be an a– hole but I am a loyal a– hole to the end. Can you say the same thing about yourself? Now if you serious call me and talk to me like a man instead of hiding behind your screen name. I doubt the phone will ring! You have a tell by the thing s your write on here that is how I know who you are. I am sure Bane would not be upset if you posted with your real name when you are coming to his aid. You may make Major!
Paranoia Marc… not Chris, some else near and dear to your little stalker heart.
Thank God I’m not a police officer right now. It seems that the State and County are more than willing to hang them out to dry when push comes to shove. If I were a Sheriff’s Deputy I would be all for just phoning it in right now. Don’t even approach the line let alone cross it.
This is Harford County. known fore it’s Hug a thug program. I can’t believe there going to charge this officer. it’s sad day indeed.
Jesse is doing all that he can to honor the memory of his fallen officers, including CO Theresa Testerman. Thank god the television cameras and attention from the newspapers snapped him out of his amnesia he was suffering since Theresa passed. I’m sure JB has a good explanation for not mentioning her until he did like he was giving everyone time to personally deal with the grief. I’m sure the public thought that she passed around the same time as our other officers, since the stories were all tied together, but he completely ignored her passing for quite some time until it was legally declared line-of-duty. Just like he won’t attach his name to this situation until a winner is declared and he can ride that wave to more votes, it wasn’t a tragedy that one of his officers died while working for him until another entity declared it LOD.
Mike Welsh, That’s not what im saying, you can add a lot of what if’s etc., I’m stating my opinion base on what this article stated. Read the article again, it states the officer fired multiple shots as the vehicle fled, it does not state anything about the vehicle running over the officer or trying to run over the officer as it fled.
In the interest of space and readability and not writing a story that’s 90pct repetitive, in the above article I didn’t include every last detail from previous stories we’ve reported on this case–just links to those earlier stories.
To avoid confusion now, I’ve included a relevant passage from one of them below. This represents the best current version of events we have, but there’s still a lot of holes in the narrative because specific information from authorities about the actions and movements of Harvey and Behles during the incident hasn’t become available.
“Though Cassilly said the charge pertained to Behles’ use of his firearm, he did not detail the exact reasons for the charge in his filing.
The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement at the time of the incident that, while heading home at the end of his shift in an unmarked agency vehicle, Behles was rear-ended by Harvey on Norrisville Road at White Hall Road in northern Harford County. Behles identified himself to Harvey, who attempted to leave the scene. The Sheriff’s Office said only that Behles “became caught up in the vehicle’s movements” as Harvey continued to pull away and, in fear of being seriously injured or killed, “fired his service weapon in an attempt to stop the threat.”
According to the charging documents against Harvey, witnesses said Behles identified himself to Harvey as a deputy and the pair engaged in an argument, during which Behles told Harvey he was under arrest. Behles then opened the door of Harvey’s Toyota 4Runner and ordered him to exit the vehicle, but Harvey refused. The witnesses said Behles “attempted to physically remove Harvey from the vehicle,” but was unable to do so. Harvey then attempted to drive around Behles’ car while the officer continued to attempt to remove him.
At that point, witnesses told police that Behles “separated from the vehicle” and fired at the fleeing SUV, but “the rounds shot” did not hit Harvey. Behles pursued Harvey into Baltimore County, eventually arresting him when Harvey crashed his vehicle and fled on foot. Both Behles and Harvey sustained minor injuries in the incident, police said.”
Thank you Mr. Cahall for including information from previous articles on this incident. Hopefully, Ed will read those previous articles wherein the Harford County Sheriff’s Office stated that a “threat” existed. To my knowledge, the HCSO has never released any further information indicating that statement to be incorrect.
So, Mike, who are you blaming for the Behles situation? Can you involve Bane as you always try to do?
jedgar,
Who do I blame for the Behles situation?
For the most part I blame Mr. Harvey who crashed into the rear end of Deputy Behles vehicle. Mr. Harvey then became uncooperative at the scene of the accident, and after being advised he was under arrest attempted to use his vehicle to run over and or drag Deputy Behles, who was trying to take Mr. Harvey into physical custody.
Can I involve Bane as I always try to do?
Jesse Bane is involved because he is the Sheriff. Deputy Behles’ is an employee of Sheriff Bane. Of course the Sheriff is involved, he is the agency head. The Sheriff became involved when he determined that his agency would investigate this incident, rather than ask an outside impartial agency to conduct the investigation.
That being said I must agree, If there was a threat than that changes my postion for what it’s worth.
And that’s why so many deputies are so POed about any charges being filed in the first place. Had this simply been a case of Harvey rear ending DFC Behles, driving off, and then Behles getting mad and popping off a couple rounds after him you wouldn’t have anyone defending his actions.
Instead, you have someone who clearly identified himself as a police officer, an uncooperative suspect, then the officer tries to arrest the suspect and uses appropriate force to affect the arrest, and then the suspect resists arrest and nearly runs over a police officer as the officer draws his gun and engages the suspect.
Just because the rounds ended up in the rear of the vehicle does not mean that the shooting was not justified. Just like just because an officer shoots an armed suspect (or one the officer has reason to believe is armed) and ends up hitting him in the back doesn’t mean it’s a bad shoot. There have been numerous studies done on the topic by experts in deadly force encounters showing exactly why and how that can happen (it is complicated and understandably confusing to people who have not read those studies and/or had training in that area) and I hope that if and when this goes to trial, DFC Behles and his attorney are able to bring some of them in to testify.
Dude! Its a car. If the bullets went into the rear of it, the car was going AWAY. Threat alleviated.
He was a private citizen when he was rear ended, sucks. Bad guy becomes an a**. Identifies himself as police, bad guy don’t care. Hauls butt. Cop pulls gun shoots rear of departing car. The way I read the law, I can shoot someone in the back if. I see them kill somebody, or they tell me they will kill somebody. Nothing in there about them being an a**.
Let the trial play out.
Cops are held to a higher standard and with cause. If a cop is killed there are stiffer penalties for the perp. If a cop uses excessive force and puts innocent people in harms way there are repercussions.
I have been following this story and comments here, in other news sources and I have some friends within the Sheriffs Dept. It is my understanding that the investigators assigned to the case submitted a report to Mr. Cassily and the report found the deputy acted properly. Mr. Cassily then charges the deputy with a crime. What is going on? Did the investigators falsify the official report or is Cassily just wrong? If the investigation was tainted, what is being done about that?
http://youtu.be/75T2c-GDv70
Finally, Bane is taking crime serious in Harford County.
You have a serious crime problem that you say your dealing with which includes murders. You star in a short movie making a spoof of a murder, I wonder how the victims families will see your little movie? Really bad judgement Jesse.
I guess we’ll have to see how things go on April 10, 2014 since its going to jury trial. My guess is a guilty verdict but of a lesser offense and resignation.