What possibly happened here?
I say possibly, because even juries must fill in blanks, but weigh evidence.
It sounds like from the white neighbor lady's testimony that she saw this preacher and did not recognize him at that distance. They knew each other since he mentioned getting something for her son's graduation, at least that's what it sounded like.
Perhaps she saw him enter the garage as he got the hose? We don't know, but I can understand that she was trying to be a good neighbor and called the police to check it out. It probably looked suspicious IF that was the context.
Police arrived and their context was a clean cut, well spoken man watering plants.
They didn't see him carrying anything from the house to a truck or anything in his demeanor that would lead a reasonable person to think that he was committing a crime. He explained what he was doing and they could have knocked on any door and asked a neighbor. Perhaps they could shed light on the situation or possibly not. Those going on vacation don't normally tell but trusted close friends that they are gone.
Once the lady who called was in the scene, they should have apologized to the gentleman and called it a day. Instead, the arrogant young cop escalated it by giving him the third degree and cuffing him. This is what is taught them in the academies. That doesn't excuse his behavior though. A wiser, less arrogant man would likely handle it differently. However, the other police that were with him were accomplices by not intervening. Most cover for each other, even when they see a wrong done by their partner.
The guy had a, "YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!" attitude.
That happens too much with police who let the uniform and power go to their heads.
Not all, but too many get a big head and used to adoration from weak men and silly women who fall for that. Present company excluded. The attitude is also a reflection of the immoral training that says that the police can intimidate and lie to get an arrest and lie on the stand under oath.
The preacher had a right to take offense to the accusation. He stood his ground bravely.
Could he have satisfied the cops demands for a state issued ID? Who knows.
(This is getting longer than I intended and have to do something. I'll complete the analysis of the preacher and what lessons can be learned later.)
I say possibly, because even juries must fill in blanks, but weigh evidence.
It sounds like from the white neighbor lady's testimony that she saw this preacher and did not recognize him at that distance. They knew each other since he mentioned getting something for her son's graduation, at least that's what it sounded like.
Perhaps she saw him enter the garage as he got the hose? We don't know, but I can understand that she was trying to be a good neighbor and called the police to check it out. It probably looked suspicious IF that was the context.
Police arrived and their context was a clean cut, well spoken man watering plants.
They didn't see him carrying anything from the house to a truck or anything in his demeanor that would lead a reasonable person to think that he was committing a crime. He explained what he was doing and they could have knocked on any door and asked a neighbor. Perhaps they could shed light on the situation or possibly not. Those going on vacation don't normally tell but trusted close friends that they are gone.
Once the lady who called was in the scene, they should have apologized to the gentleman and called it a day. Instead, the arrogant young cop escalated it by giving him the third degree and cuffing him. This is what is taught them in the academies. That doesn't excuse his behavior though. A wiser, less arrogant man would likely handle it differently. However, the other police that were with him were accomplices by not intervening. Most cover for each other, even when they see a wrong done by their partner.
The guy had a, "YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!" attitude.
That happens too much with police who let the uniform and power go to their heads.
Not all, but too many get a big head and used to adoration from weak men and silly women who fall for that. Present company excluded. The attitude is also a reflection of the immoral training that says that the police can intimidate and lie to get an arrest and lie on the stand under oath.
The preacher had a right to take offense to the accusation. He stood his ground bravely.
Could he have satisfied the cops demands for a state issued ID? Who knows.
(This is getting longer than I intended and have to do something. I'll complete the analysis of the preacher and what lessons can be learned later.)
