"The medical examiner ruled Jacobs' death was a homicide. [Cpl. Stephanie A.] Phillips stunned the 24-year-old with a Taser twice — the first time for 49 seconds and the second time for 5 seconds, with a 1-second interval between the shocks, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office report... An autopsy concluded the primary cause of death was 'sudden death during neuromuscular incapacitation due to application of a conducted energy device,' and said no traces of alcohol or drugs, electrolyte imbalances, or signs of heart or lung disease were found — all of which can be contributing factors in a death." 6 days of testimony, 17 witnesses but no recommendation for indictment by the prosecutor and, viola, another police officer is off the hook for murder. Of course, it all took place behind the wall of a grand jury so we don't even get all the information which is tidily sealed away. Oh, my, where to start...
THANK YOU to the medical examiner for the autopsy and findings. It took guts and courage to issue those findings so thank you for stepping up!
Grand Jury proceedings. Most of the civilized world has given these up but we still have them in Texas. Their purpose is for the prosecutor to get to provide his/her/the state's case in the light most favorable to it in favor of prosecution; to persuade the jurors to indict regardless of any evidence to the contrary. It is intended to be a one sided process. When the prosecutor doesn't recommend charges, it isn't even pro forma, it's a JOKE. This Criticism speaks nicely for me!
Tarrant County District Attorney Joe Shannon. Uh, um, I don't think he knows he represents US. It appears he appointed himself defense counsel for Officer Phillips! Mr. Shannon, if you can't do the job (which includes recommending charges), then RESIGN!
Stephanie Phillips. I'm sure your department's policies not only permitted your actions but encouraged them. But where's your conscious? "I was only following orders" doesn't work if the order was illegal; ditto for "policy". If your chief wants to jump off a cliff, are you going to follow? Sadly, it appears you would/did.
"Police Chief Jeff Halstead said last month that he gave a copy of his department's internal investigation into Jacobs' death to federal officials after determining Phillips would not be disciplined and would remain on patrol." Id. IMO, Chief Halstead should be indicted for murder on this one if he was the Chief when it happened. Law enforcement has been expanding it's "license to kill" and it's long past time that we, the people, put a stop to it! Of course it's often easier to kill the mentally ill than to deal with them but the job is to serve and protect; not to serve and protect if it's easy and kill if it isn't.