Shooting of unarmed 20 year-old by U.S. Customs agent still not considered a crime

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday February 17, 2005 · 8:39 AM PST

2005/02/17 · 08:39

The Chmait family received word from the Orange County's Sheriff's office yesterday that the investigation into the shooting of Bassim Chmait was 80% complete. They said that the situation remains the same, the shooting was not considered a crime.

Just to re-cap, an off-duty U.S. Customs agent shot Bassim Chmait in the head early in the morning on the 5th. The agent was in his bathrobe, and was angry about he noise coming form a neighboring apartment. It has only received a few AP wire stories, and three write-ups in the Orange County Register's Local section. If you want to learn more of the incident, go to, www.justiceforbassim.com. The shooting of a 13-year old in Los Angeles has received a lot of media attention, and this atrocity deserves the same scrutiny. Bassim was committing no crime, while the 13 year old stole a car and was ramming police with it.

Read about the incident, and if you feel moved by it, contact the Orange County DA's office, and write to your local newspaper.

Off Duty U.S. Customs officer shoots unarmed 19-year old in head...

keever77

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday February 08, 2005 · 9:54 AM PST

2005/02/08 · 09:54

... Authorities state that officer committed no wrong-doing.

As far as a political discussion, this would probably fall under the same category as Amadou Diallo, and Abner Loumia in an example of law enforcement brutality bordering on outright criminality. Here are the relevant facts:

A college-style house party was held at an apartment complex in Mission Viejo, CA. Early in the morning on Saturday February the 6th around 1:30 am, there was a verbal altercation between a group of 4 to 6 friends and other party goers over a thrown can of soda. As the altercation escalated, a neighbor living next to the party, Douglas Bates, an off duty U.S. Custom's officer, left his home with his badge in hand and gun drawn confronting the group of 4 to 6 friends. Apparently he was upset at the noise and commotion. Mr. Bates then pistol whipped one member of the group. As that was happening, Bassim Chmait, one member of the group, stepped forward toward Bates and his friend who had been whipped, and then was shot in the head by Douglas Bates. Read More

Netroots and an innovative DNC member

keever77

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday January 22, 2005 · 7:04 PM PST

2005/01/22 · 19:04

This is probably old news, but for any kossacs living in Maine, please visit Sam Spencer's website, and his blog. He is taking advice via email and his blog on whom to vote for in the DNC chair race. Read this Tapped post providing a bit more of a bio on Mr. Spencer. Read More

RSS