Brickbat: Take a Bite out of Crime

A judge has sentenced former Antioch, California, police officer Morteza Amiri to seven years in prison for violating a bicyclist's civil rights by ordering his K-9 to bite the man unnecessarily, falsifying a police report about the incident, and wire fraud. In the attack, Amiri approached a man for not having a light on his bicycle, punched him, knocked him to the ground, and then commanded the dog to bite him, causing severe injuries. According to federal prosecutors, Amiri routinely sicced his K-9 on suspects unnecessarily and "kept a running bite count that he celebrated with other officers." In this particular instance, he shared photos of the victim's wounds in text messages and joked that "gory pics are for personal stuff." In a separate trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of paying someone to complete a college degree for him so he could get a pay raise.

Comments

[Vernon Depner]

He reflects how most motorists feel about bicyclists.

[Stupid Government Tricks]

That was my thought too. Too many bicyclists think traffic laws are for cars only.

On the other hand, so do cops. Roll through stop signs, speed on their way to work in their private cars, and not just traffic laws: lying about school, lying in his police report, violating department rules.

The two links weren't particularly helpful. For once, the summary here is about what the two links say. I wonder if AT will come along with some other sources which claim the bicyclist had run a red light or something. The light business is weird. Was this at night? Neither link says what time of day, and I didn't see any mention of dashcam or bodycam footage.

[AT]

Nah, not going to bother. Siccing the dog on him isn't cool either way.

Bicyclists (and street joggers) are some of the most socially reprehensible people on earth. But I draw the line at mauling them with dogs. If only because I don't want the dogs to accidently choke on their gay spandex. (Unless they're pit bulls. Then I want them to choke and put a bullet in their head.)

Bicyclists don't belong on the street. Period. The street, sans crosswalks, is for cars. I say harass and hassle them every chance you get. Increase your speed and get as close to that bike lane as you can. Bring your side-mirror terrifying close to their elbows. You want to bike in the street, then face the two-ton death machines whipping by you with zero consideration.

And if you're a city biker riding in the left lane, prepare to die.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Those skinny bicycle seats are going to make those guys impotent and get prostate cancer anyway, so no need to run them down.

[Liberty_Belle]

Bicyclist don't belong on the street ? But they don't belong on the sidewalk, either ... you get fined for that. So where do they belong ?

Mere curiosity, the only bike I own is stationary in the den.

[Think It Through]

I got yelled at by an old lady for riding down the sidewalk on Central Park East. No way I was riding in the street with all the traffic barreling down behind me. I'll take the yelling.

[AT]

Don't care. Anywhere but the streets.

[AT]

DEI hires, am I right?

Leave it to California to hire an cop of Iranian descent.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Goyette also said the judge’s sentence would deter other officers from proactively policing their communities.

A chilling effect on siccing animals on people not permitted by law to defend themselves.

[Longtobefree]

"In a separate trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of paying someone to complete a college degree for him so he could get a pay raise."

Wait, what?
Using a real live human to get your degree is illegal, but using AI is not?

[mad.casual]

Using a real live human to get your degree is illegal, but using AI is not?

There are no illegal people.

[GroundTruth]

What gives, I thought that the only interaction allowed was for cops to shoot dogs?

[Liberty_Belle]

YOUR dogs, yes. Police dogs, no. In fact, you are supposed to lay absolutely still while a 150 lbs meat grinder is turning your limbs into hamburger. And be calm about it, or it's your own fault.

[Rossami]

Violating rights, assault, falsifying a police report - all make sense given these facts. But wire fraud?!? This is another example of how screwed up we've let our laws become. There's no way this was "wire fraud" as that law was originally intended to be used.

[See.More]

Violating rights, assault, falsifying a police report - all make sense given these facts. But wire fraud?!?

Poor reporting, certainly. I suspect the wire fraud is attached to the separate conviction for paying someone to fraudulently complete a college degree in Amiri's name.

[Get To Da Chippah]

Insufficient sentencing. Sic a pack of dogs on the cop and film it.