Don De Dieu
Standing in the sun getting black as I want
This case is in my part of town, so I’m pretty familiar with it and how shyt operates in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee and the county. Surprisingly, it’s flown under the radar nationally, but looks like it’s about to get attention. Not surprised at all at the outcome.
TDLR: a Black cop has killed three men in five years – two Black and a Latino – and will get off with no charges. He's also hopped on local right-wing radio for pats on his head and got a GoFundMe for legal bills.
Milwaukee County district attorney decides not to charge Police Officer Joseph Mensah in shooting death of Alvin Cole
More than eight months after the shooting death of 17-year-old Alvin Cole in February, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office ruled Wednesday that Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah was justified in the shooting.
Earlier in the day, a separate report by third-party investigator Steven Biskupic recommended the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission fire Mensah.
"In this case, there is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable. I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah," District Attorney John Chisholm wrote of his decision.
This is the third shooting death by Mensah while in the line of duty in the last five years.
Mensah was suspended with pay by the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission on July 15, while Biskupic — a former U.S. attorney — conducted an investigation into a complaint by the family of Jay Anderson Jr., whom Mensah shot and killed in 2016.
Biskupic's completed investigation was released just hours before District Attorney John Chisholm and the Cole family were scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon.
The report states that Mensah did not improperly use deadly force in the Anderson shooting. But because of the potential for Mensah engaging in a fourth shooting, Biskupic recommended the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission fire him.
"The risk and ensuing consequences to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa of a fourth shooting by this officer are too great for this commission to find otherwise," Biskupic said in the report.
New details on Cole shooting
In addition to addressing the Anderson case, new details surrounding Cole's shooting death were revealed in the report.
According to the report:
Police responded to a report of a man with a gun at Mayfair mall on Feb. 2. Mensah arrived to see other officers and mall security running after Cole. During the pursuit, Cole pulled out a handgun from a fanny pack “and the gun fired, apparently accidentally, striking Cole in the arm.”
“Cole fell to the ground into a crawl position, where he was surrounded by several Wauwatosa police officers. Cole was commanded to drop the gun, which was still in his hand,” the report said.
“Unbeknownst to the officers (and likely Cole himself), Cole’s firearm had become inoperable because the magazine was not attached and the bullet in the chamber had been fired. Cole did not drop the weapon.”
According to Mensah, Cole pointed the weapon at him “and fearing for his personal safety, Mensah fired his gun at Cole five times, repeatedly striking Cole and causing his death. Cole still had his own firearm in his hand after being shot.”
No other officer fired their weapon, the report said. Mensah was on scene less than 30 seconds before encountering and shooting Cole.
Kimberley Motley, attorney for the Cole family, said Biskupic's recommendation that Mensah should be terminated is huge.
"Had Chief (Barry) Weber or the fire, police commission fired him in 2016, Alvin could be with us today," Motley said.
The rest of the story:
Milwaukee County district attorney decides not to charge Police Officer Joseph Mensah in shooting death of Alvin Cole
More background here:
https://www.jsonline.com/story/comm...-mensah-shootings-wont-be-charged/5899357002/
GoFundMe article:
'Joseph has been treated unfairly:' Brother of the suspended Wauwatosa police officer starts a fundraiser for legal counsel
TDLR: a Black cop has killed three men in five years – two Black and a Latino – and will get off with no charges. He's also hopped on local right-wing radio for pats on his head and got a GoFundMe for legal bills.
Milwaukee County district attorney decides not to charge Police Officer Joseph Mensah in shooting death of Alvin Cole
More than eight months after the shooting death of 17-year-old Alvin Cole in February, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office ruled Wednesday that Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah was justified in the shooting.
Earlier in the day, a separate report by third-party investigator Steven Biskupic recommended the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission fire Mensah.
"In this case, there is sufficient evidence that Officer Mensah had an actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary and that belief was objectively reasonable. I do not believe that the State could disprove self-defense or defense of others in this case and therefore could not meet the burden required to charge Officer Mensah," District Attorney John Chisholm wrote of his decision.
This is the third shooting death by Mensah while in the line of duty in the last five years.
Mensah was suspended with pay by the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission on July 15, while Biskupic — a former U.S. attorney — conducted an investigation into a complaint by the family of Jay Anderson Jr., whom Mensah shot and killed in 2016.
Biskupic's completed investigation was released just hours before District Attorney John Chisholm and the Cole family were scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon.
The report states that Mensah did not improperly use deadly force in the Anderson shooting. But because of the potential for Mensah engaging in a fourth shooting, Biskupic recommended the Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission fire him.
"The risk and ensuing consequences to the Wauwatosa Police Department and the City of Wauwatosa of a fourth shooting by this officer are too great for this commission to find otherwise," Biskupic said in the report.
New details on Cole shooting
In addition to addressing the Anderson case, new details surrounding Cole's shooting death were revealed in the report.
According to the report:
Police responded to a report of a man with a gun at Mayfair mall on Feb. 2. Mensah arrived to see other officers and mall security running after Cole. During the pursuit, Cole pulled out a handgun from a fanny pack “and the gun fired, apparently accidentally, striking Cole in the arm.”
“Cole fell to the ground into a crawl position, where he was surrounded by several Wauwatosa police officers. Cole was commanded to drop the gun, which was still in his hand,” the report said.
“Unbeknownst to the officers (and likely Cole himself), Cole’s firearm had become inoperable because the magazine was not attached and the bullet in the chamber had been fired. Cole did not drop the weapon.”
According to Mensah, Cole pointed the weapon at him “and fearing for his personal safety, Mensah fired his gun at Cole five times, repeatedly striking Cole and causing his death. Cole still had his own firearm in his hand after being shot.”
No other officer fired their weapon, the report said. Mensah was on scene less than 30 seconds before encountering and shooting Cole.
Kimberley Motley, attorney for the Cole family, said Biskupic's recommendation that Mensah should be terminated is huge.
"Had Chief (Barry) Weber or the fire, police commission fired him in 2016, Alvin could be with us today," Motley said.
The rest of the story:
Milwaukee County district attorney decides not to charge Police Officer Joseph Mensah in shooting death of Alvin Cole
More background here:
https://www.jsonline.com/story/comm...-mensah-shootings-wont-be-charged/5899357002/
GoFundMe article:
'Joseph has been treated unfairly:' Brother of the suspended Wauwatosa police officer starts a fundraiser for legal counsel
...
