Our police, a broken record(ing) | Thorn
An NBC News story on audio of interviews from the police investigation of Breonna Taylors slaying reveals the profound brokenness of the police department. That includes how the interviewer, Sgt. Jason Vance, seemed to suggest answers for Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who was shot in the leg by Breonnas boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who thought intruders, not cops, had broken down their apartment door. Mattingly told Vance that after he was wounded, he fired four times at Walker and then left the apartment. Vance replied: Thats kind of like what I was getting to because of your positioning, you know, initially when youre shot and then rightfully so, youre returning fire. Mattingly responds: Mm-hmm. And then, Vance says: But you know you just said you made a conscious decision, you know, Im now injured, I need to move, so they can protect themselves and me as well. And then I dont want to put words in your mouth ... Replies Mattingly: No, thats it. That interview took place weeks after the shooting, and Mattingly had a lawyer. Walker was interviewed hours after the raid, and one interviewer encourages Walker to waive his right to an attorney. Im scared about what to say, Walker says. The interviewer says: It would be good for you to sign this and then we can get you, get your statement, and then we can leave you alone. The NBC story relates his recollection of being taken into custody: As he backed out of the apartment, arms raised, he says an officer holding a dog told him, Im going to let this dog on you. Youre going to jail for the rest of your life. He says the officer asked, Did you get hit by any bullets? And Im like, No. He said, Oh, thats unfortunate. And, finally, you might recall Sgt. Brett Hankison who was canned for firing blindly into the apartment, endangering neighbors. Mattingly told Vance that, before the raid, Hankison was a little bit worked up, arguing with and pointing his gun at a neighbor who was objecting as police banged on Taylors door, NBC reported.
Listen to us, dont listen to us | Absurd
The Courier Journal, in a rare editorial and even rarer front-page editorial, called on Gov. Andy to require Kentuckians to wear masks. Strong stand! It was odd that the editorial ran online with a disclaimer in safety yellow and black that said: EDITORIALS | Opinion This piece expresses the views of its author(s), separate from those of this publication. Does that mean The CJs editorial the voice of the publication is not the voice of the publication? The CJ has long tried to convince readers that the op-ed page is for opinions, not to be confused with ostensibly objective news stories. So, now, to reinforce that, the paper is placing a yellow-and-black OPINION tag on all online op-eds. Finally, we all will know Republican bullhorn Scott Jennings wedge shots are his opinion, not The CJs.