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Deputy Public Defender Joseph Abood, left, questions the undercover officer who bought drugs from his client, Emmanuel Dozier, right, during Dozier’s preliminary hearing Tuesday at the Henderson Justice Court. Dozier is charged with shooting at police officers during a SWAT raid on his house Dec. 23.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 | 6:28 p.m.
Emmanual Dozier, who is charged with shooting police officers during a SWAT raid on his house Dec. 23 sits through a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the Henderson Justice Court.
Deputy District Attorney Mark DiGiacomo, left, questions Metro Police Sgt. James Causey during a preliminary hearing for Emmanuel Dozier Tuesday at the Henderson Justice Court. Dozier is charged with shooting at police officers during a SWAT raid on his house Dec. 23.
A judge Tuesday dropped two charges against a Henderson man who is accused of shooting three Metro Police SWAT officers during a narcotics raid on his Seven Hills home.
Justice of the Peace David Gibson reduced the bail for Emmanuel Dozier from $3.5 million to $75,000, dismissed one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one of discharging a firearm inside a structure, and criticized the Metro tactics during a preliminary hearing in Henderson Justice Court.
Dozier, 32, still faces nine charges — three counts of attempted murder, three counts of battery with a deadly weapon and three counts of selling cocaine — and is set to be arraigned Feb. 2 in District Court.
"This case cries out for a lot of things," Gibson said. "The policy used by the department in how to get people out of a house needs to be re-evaluated ... This is a scary, scary situation and this whole thing was handled in an unusual way."
Gibson said there was not enough evidence for the assault with a deadly weapon charge. He pointed to evidence suggesting that Dozier was firing from a low, defensive position.
Metro Sgt. James Causey testified that during the raid, about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 28, he and his fellow officers shouted repeatedly “police, search warrant!”
Belinda Saavedra, Dozier's 34-year-old girlfriend, said she never heard police officers announce themselves. Her 13-year-old daughter, who also testified that she never heard the words "police" or "search warrant," came to tell Saavedra someone was breaking into the house. Saavedra had to wake Dozier, she said. Their 3-month-old son was also in the house.
"Mr. Dozier was acting to save his own family and save himself," his attorney, Joseph Abood said.
The warrant was issued, an undercover Metro narcotics detective testified, after he purchased cocaine from Dozier in front of Dozier's home on three separate occasions in December. Each transaction was for $180 and involved about 3.7 grams of cocaine.
Because of prior criminal charges, Causey said, Metro decided to use the SWAT team for the raid. A police van parked in front of the garage, he said, and two teams of officers gathered at the front door.
After a pry bar was unsuccessful in breaking through the iron bars of the door, a specialized shotgun designed to breach door locks was fired three times at the door.
When the shotgun didn't work, officers began to break through an adjacent window when shots were fired from inside the house, Causey said.
Causey and Officer Charles Collingwood were each hit once in the leg and Officer Patrick Ledbetter was hit once in the leg and once in the hand.
All three were treated at University Medical Center and released, with the bullet still lodged in Causey's leg and Ledbetter likely never to regain full use of his left hand.
Dozier, a former worker at a sheet metal factory in Las Vegas, was arrested after he put down his handgun and exited the house through the garage.
Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or jeff.obrien@hbcpub.com.
I am very surprised to not see any comments on this event--as of this time and date. However, this police stupidity is nothing new, "only in the fact, someone tried to protect their family and shot police, instead of being shot--thinking they were being invaded by terrorists and/or thugs." "What's the difference if it is a terrorist, thug or police--if you and your family are dead?" Killed by your citizen protectors: "Nevada's premier Swat Team."
On January, 2001 at 11:30 PM, two percussion grenades exploded in my front yard. Loud banging on my front gate. I heard my gate being forced open as I opened my front door.
With my hand on the knob of my security screen, two shotgun firings went off. I felt the heat of the firings on my hand. Standing in front of me were 8 men dressed to kill-storm-troopers in their best of party attire. They looked foolish and ridiculous. But, hey, this is Vegas!
They gang-rushed me in my hallway, before they ever uttered a word of "Police & Search Warrant."
I find it very believable that there was never a word uttered by Henderson's Swat Team as to who they were in Mr Dozier's case. "In Nevada things stay the same...Screw Nevada citizen's just doesn't apply to Yucca Mountain."
Of course, they found nothing listed on their search warrant to correctly arrest anyone, as I found out after two days in jail and out on bail, the notice was taped on my kitchen sink. "That was my notification there was a search warrant--after the fact."
(I think so little of Nevada's defense attorneys, I went to Wyoming to hire attorney, Gerry Spence.)
Please note: After release from jail and being given a court date--I was physically stopped from entering my court appointment by the thugs of Nevada's courtrooms--the loud mouthed bailiffs. "Talk about Good-Ole-Boy justice." I was told: "if we want you--we'll call you!"
After waiting about a year, I filed in Federal Court. Won the case by arbitration (Clark County still didn't want to go to court.) Received a huge chuck of cash, got returned 37 antique guns, and the lie from Clark County about changing the procedure for the confiscation of personal guns. "I haven't seen the change yet".
All this leading to Mr. Dozier and family. Contact me, and I'd be more than pleased to testify for your defense. There is no need to use the public defender's office, as any decent attorney should take your case on a money-back basis. It is called: Contingency fought trial.
My name is Donald Hinton. I can be reached at Spartacus Project: 1-702-740-0402.
Donald you are only half right. It's obvious that you're upset about the way you were treated by SWAT, and probably rightly so. The problem I have with you is that even after reading this article, you carelessly and ignorantly demean Mr. Doziers Public Defender, and claim that "any decent attorney" should take this case on a money back basis. How can you not see that what this lawyer did for his client was brilliant? He was able to change the story line from that of a crazed drug dealer shooting and wounding 3 SWAT officers just trying to serve a warrant,to SWAT officers almost abusing their power and forcing this man to shoot to protect his wife and children's lives! Maybe any decent civil lawyer could make money on this case suing metro, but it takes an experienced aggressive bright lawyer to do what this guy did in the criminal case, which is about this mans freedom, not just money!Your ignorance of that fact calls everything else you have to say in question.
Spoutingoff:
Slow down and smell the roses. Are you related to a cop or an attorney? I think not, but obviously you're not on the same track as my comment. First off, you have had little use of an attorney in this state. I deal with this issue everyday for men & women that are currently in prison for the excellent abilities of Nevada's finest.
Secondly, your comment stated officers were "almost abusing their power." These foolish "Swat Officers" narrowly avoided killing many young people, including a three month old baby. They didn't fire back, because they knew they had gone too far--even for Henderson. They didn't almost go too far--they did go too far.
Thirdly, I know the difference between a civil & criminal attorney. If you were current on your attorneys you would know how strapped the public defender's office really is at this time. They are the first to admit they don't have the proper time to give a good defense. If, it were your loved one in contention for a very long prison sentence--you might not want a public defender. A civil attorney on contingency works hard to make his money. Laying down on that job gets him, and the client, a seat in the park.
I haven't heard you stand up for the people left behind. Will the children be lost to the state? Will the family that depended on Mr. Dozier's income lose their home? Will they go on welfare?
Lastly, how could you condone the stupidity of calling in the "Swat Team" to make an arrest. Why not use the same tactic to get him out of the home, as they used to get him to sell them drugs?
Yes, Spoutingoff, I could be bitter if this nonsense had stopped with me, but it didn't. This type abuse goes on 4 X daily with the use of our famous "Swat Team". Be careful, you could be next. I'll also bet--you think everyone in Nevada's prisons are guilty?
"I think you just don't get it."
The Swat team did announce themselves and I believe that they were acting according to the law. No one has the right to start shooting at the police. Can you image how our world would be without the police to defend us? I imagine more people did not comment because we agree with the Swat teams work in this case. They were serving a warrant to a criminal and I have no mercy for drug dealers that infect this community and destroy lives for their own self-gratification.
The children involved in this case need to be put in foster care so they can have a chance as a descent life. Drug dealers are the scum of the universe and they should be locked up. Thank you Swat team for trying to get one more drug dealer off the streets.
The Swat team did not abuse their power in any shape, size or form. They tried to serve a warrant to a drug-dealer and the drug-dealer went crazy and shot our police, the very police that protect us.
Of course the drug-dealing scum is going to lie about being notified from the SWAT team..ummm they are drug dealers and I hold no validity in their statements. I am upset that they dropped two of the charges. I hope they don't drop anymore charges.
It's so easy to Monday morning quarterback any situation. I am not a Police Officer, or an Attorney, but I would challenge anyone that takes issue with the way a drug dealer is dealt with, to come up with a better system. In my opinion, this particular situation is an example of people siding with the wrong side of the law. If it is fact that the accused sold drugs on three seperate occasions to undercover police officers in front of his place of residence, not only is he a criminal, but he is also a scumbag. Mr. Dozier claims he was protecting his family, yet in addition to already having a criminal record, he dealt drugs in front of the home where his family resided. What a shining example to these children, and what a fine mother to allow her children to live in a home where drugs are being sold. These are obviously two upstanding citizens who would never lie about a law enforcement encounter, nor would they instruct thier child, whom they either expose, or potentially expose to drugs and illegal activities, to lie about what happened.
With all that being said, I will add that there are no doubt some police officers whom abuse thier power, that has been proven. Is this one of those cases? I was not there, nor, I doubt, were any of the individuals whom have already commented on this article, therefore I cannot render an opinion, one way or the other. What I will ask however, is how would you feel about Mr. Dozier if he were selling drugs in your neighborhood, or to your children? Illegal drugs, and those who deal them are one of the plagues of our society.
The bad guy was selling drugs in front of the home of his child and the child's mother? This guy is not only "bad" he's beyond stupid and a danger to his family and the community!
Then we're suppossed to believe the "bad" guy didn't hear our police officers - really? Gee, I find it hard to believe that a "bad" guy, who has been repeatedly selling illegal drugs in front of his home would ever wonder if the police might come some day, you know, like SOON?
I mean, come on people, what are the odds that if you sell illegal drugs in front of your home sooner or later the police will show up? DUH!
And what are the odds that anyone would believe the big, strange looking vehicle and a bunch of guys in uniforms in uniforms, with badges, and gear are members of a street gang or some sort of neighborhood "welcome wagon" volunteers?
Seems to me if I saw that, and heard a voice yell "police" or "search warrant" - my first thought would be "Oh, the police are here!"
My next thought would be I'd better yell back loudly "PLEASE DON'T SHOOT!" "THERE ARE CHILDREN INSIDE - I AM UNARMED AND OPENING THE DOOR" "AGAIN,PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT!"
I wonder what would have happened then? I'm betting the police would have paused and allowed the situation to unfold, in a contolled manner to protect themselves and any innocents, in a peaceful manner!
Instead, the "bad" guy grabs a gun - and decides he's going to take on an entire S.W.A.T. Team of professional police officers - and actually starts shooting? That's beyond stupid it's suicidal!
KUDOS to the police for being disciplined enought NOT to go in firing and killing this idiot criminal! In my mind the police would have had every right to protect themselves and put a well placed "double-tap" of a couple of rounds in the "bad" guy (and saved the taxpayers a great deal of time and taxes)!
PUHLEEEZE PEOPLE! We've got to be vigilant about the rare rogue cop - but, let's give our police officers the benefit of the doubt shall we - PUHLEEEZE!
I only wish we had a lot more police - and many more S.W.A.T. Teams to clean up our communities from the scum who have become the scourge of our society!
Finally, the child should be taken away from both the mother and father - the kid deserves better (and no child should chooses to born into a dysfunctional environment) - THAT is the greatest crime here!
I have yet to see any 3rd party reports that verify SWAT announcing themselves. Without that, I do not automatically presume that Mr. Dozier should have known better. Given the description of the difficulty SWAT had breaking down his door it is likely that unless SWAT was using LOUD bullhorns any such alleged announcement was unheard.
The simple act of Mr. Dozier's girlfriend calling 911 says it all to me.
Just as people that defend drug dealers are morons, so are those that blindly defend the police.
let me expand.
This was handled completely wrong. If the police used an undercover to buy from this guy three times. Why didn't they set him up outside of the home the same way. Instead they try, unsuccesfully, to break down a door with children inside. I'm sure the cops said, "Police, Search Warrant" but how long does that take? Two Seconds. If the family was upstairs or in the back of the house and missed the cops announcing themselves and then found someone trying to break down the door, the man has every right to defend his home and family, drug dealer or not.
starrynite7 and Johnathan_Abbinett,
Regarding:
"Finally, the child should be taken away from both the mother and father - the kid deserves better (and no child should chooses to born into a dysfunctional environment) - THAT is the greatest crime here!"
If given the choice...i would MUCH rather have my child live with a CITIZEN who sold $180 worth of cocaine 3 times to an undercover Officer...rather than any criminal(regardless if they are law enforcement of not) who breaks into a home, punches a man in the eye...then LIES about announcing they had a legal right to enter (the FACT the girlfriend called 911 sums it up). In addition, the CRIMINALS who committed this act of "BREAKING AND ENTERING", "ASSAULT", "VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHT'S"...then go on a smear/fear campaign to divert the publics attention from their own CRIMES by addressing him as a CRIMINAL/DRUGDEALER when he is innocent until proven guilty.
To have my child brought up in a home of less disfunction and criminal activity...id choose the drug dealer..rather than the multi-felony committing cops who abuse their color of authority.
I live in a gated community. I make enough to afford the best attorney. Come to my home and try to violate my civil rights, you sorry excuse for public servants.
Mr. Dozier..the battle is won in the courtroom sir.
Now this is more like it. No one sided comments. I have the city talking, but this is not finished. The purpose of my initial comment was to point out the practices of Metro's Swat Team.
This kind of practice is harmful to everyone in the community--if it continues. As good thinking citizens, you know this is right. Defending Metro when it is so blatantly disgraceful is ludicrous.
I don't condone the use of drugs, nor their sale. I am opposed to both. I also despise acts
of violence & stupidity on the part of police. The police should know better than try something so aggressive that could have had such a negative
ending. This isn't what they draw $$ from the public trough to do.
There isn't enough evidence in place to accuse the family of knowing the drugs sales were in place. Maybe, that's why the sales took place outside of the home. (If this is ever proven.)
Talk about fair-minded citizens!
Some of the comments are way out of line, as to the guilt of others in the family. Are you saying this is what you would do to protect a family member? What else would you do to scare free thinking people away from a wrong? Kill?
In this case, the police could have done just that. Keep talking--there is an answer coming up and you may be the one to submit it.
This whole idiocy is a product of the ridiculous "war on drugs." How many people have to be hurt or killed, whether they be police officers or innocent bystanders, before we finally wake up and realize that drug use is a public health problem,not a police problem. I despise drugs, but despise this idiotic "war on drugs" even more.
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Folks, there is one really important thing we must all adhere to in this matter. You must stay away from convicting before trial. The same must be said for accusing the family of complicity. Surely, as Americans, we are better than that. You must not let emotion be your engine.
Did you know the courts will not let a criminal record be known to jurors? Yet, the police can prejudice a jury pool by releasing past history to the press. What if Mr. Dozier history was a juvenile history. You were not told that--just that he had a record. Shame on you Mr. Police.
What if the children of this family were excellent or near excellent students? Would you not be embarrassed by your accusations? Next time you "good citizens" point your finger at a family--know what you're talking about.
A sleeping man who never saw the police in front of his home, and awaken by a woman calling 911 for a home invasion--isn't what criminal wives do. Wife & children both--if not all family members, were interviewed at the home, and before court--leaving no time to get a "story" put together. I'm embarrassed for the "good citizens" of Nevada to be such accusers without facts. Maybe this blindness towards police is why 135 men & women have been killed by Clark County police. All deaths were called: "JUSTIFIABLE."
However, the citizens/taxpayers of Clark County have paid millions of dollars out of our pockets to the victim's families of police aggression. Police are never charged with murder, but our $$ does not bring back a loved family member. Does it?
I'm going further on this item, because you "good citizens" need to know. When police kill, the public are not given a chance to interview the offender or have him, or her, identified until they are coached by their administrators.
Usually three days after the killing. Don't think a story has been put together there--do you?
Folks, don't condone this home invasion by police and blame Dozier for doing what every cowboy in Nevada has been raised in Nevada to do. This type independence has been your pride in this battle born state. Don't back up now--you can't have it both ways. The bad guy here is the police and their version of home invasion. I know you all mean well, but you need to take a closer look at what your protectors are doing to citizens. You might be next.
Sparta: Paranoid,Much?
I just had a call from one of the people reading the comments on Mr. Dozier. Here is what this Henderson citizen had to say. (He doesn't have a computer and read the comments at a friends home, but wouldn't comment even if he had a computer--he is afraid of Henderson's police. And, has been for years.)
He, himself, is a senior citizen. He quit going to casinos to gamble and eat an occasional meal. He remembers the senior citizen nearly beaten to death a while back. remember: An 84 year old man beaten severely around the head & face--by Henderson Police.
Additionally, he vividly remembers the murder of the Ice Cream Lady shot and killed in front of her children and husband--by Henderson Police.
Now, he stays pretty much house bound for fear of Henderson"s finest. Hey, Ex-chief Perkins, this happened under your watch and you really put the spin on this murder. (Yes, that's my opinion.) Aren't you proud? This is the aftermath of your killing force and brutal peace officers taking its toll on another senior citizen. The man is in retirement and afraid of his police department, enough so, that he stays home instead of going out of his home to enjoy his retirement. Henderson--Spartacus is so proud of your enforcement tactics. Hell, I even feel safer knowing I live in Las Vegas, because you are so close to my home. I feel so protected, but then, I'm delusional and sleep with rattlesnakes.
Just thought you "good citizens" would like to hear from another senior citizen who had been afraid to leave his home because of the police brutality in your unprincipled city.
Have a good day.
Starrynite:
Paranoid? "I'd like to think of it as: Being aware!"
Sorry to disappoint...
Please don't jump to conclusion people - I'm NOT saying the police did, or did not, make serious errors in judgement or action(s) - I'm just saying we should give our police the benefit of doubt until a comprehensive investigation is done and all questions are asked and answered!
Those who want to support drug dealers are NUTS!
Johnathan:
I haven't read any comments where someone was supporting drug dealers. Supporting legal (?) home invasion by police was even questioned by the judge in this case as being idiotic. Here is his quote: "This case cries out for lots of things. The policy used by the (Police) department in how to get people out of a house needs to be re-evaluated...This is scary, scary situation and this whole thing was handled in an unusual way."
Actually, Judge--it was handled in a very usual police way. It is practice for home security on Nevada citizens. (Oh, yeah--"tell me I'm wrong.")
THE JUDGE DROPPED CHARGES. Don't be surprised when all charges are dropped because of police incompetence. I've heard there was no name on the search warrant. That makes it an illegal warrant--in my opinion, but we'll let the courts tell you for certain. I'm only repeating a rumor.
I'm surprised the judge didn't continue to drop bail money and let the man go bail on just the drug charges. The rest of the stupidity was police agitated. I don't know how anyone reading this article could come to any other conclusion.
Well, unless you're a cop trying to cover your ass.
I hope they don't drop anymore charges against this drug dealing lunatic! He is guilty and needs to be locked up. I read somewhere that he thought a terrorist was coming into his house and that is why he started shooting, OH Man, that is laugh-out-funny! Why on earth would a terrorist come and target this crazy drug dealing lunatic? That is the craziest thing I have heard yet. Talk about drug induced paranoia. Once again, I back the Badge in this case and I agree with everything they did in this case. The guilty party is the drug dealer and the dysfunctional mother.
The police are not out to get innocent citizens, they have their hands full with all the criminals in Nevada. I swear this place is like a magnet to drug-dealers and all the other slime that infects our society.
Kudos to Henderson police department! We BACK THE BADGE!!!!!
FYI, Joseph Abood is one of the most brilliant attorneys in the state. What's more amazing is that he's working in the Public Defender's Office. A guy like that could command millions in private practice.
Kudos to Mr. Abood. You're a great American.
Starrynite:
I'm not certain you understood what you've read about terrorists and Mr. Dozier. I have said that Metro's Swat Team dresses like terrorists. If you have ever seen them in their folly--you'd know what I mean.
Mr. Dozier has never spoken since his arrest. No person knows what he will be saying at trial. Of course, his attorney knows because that's his business to understand his client's business and/or position.
You are certainly welcome to your opinion to back the badge, but to do so responsibility, and professionally, you must have facts. If you think you have the facts to support that opinion--I'll certainly back your position, but your decision is not mine.
I think the facts will not come out completely until trial--if there is a trial. My opinion--these charges will be dropped. Metro hasn't come clean on this arrest yet. There is more here than meets the eye.
The overall big picture of the police department here in Clark County is that there are many innocent people imprisoned in Nevada. I know, you'll disagree with that statement, too, but those figures are not mine. I think the figure of 20% is for illegal confinement in America.
Prisons are big business in America. Since the entire business is judicial administration--don't expect the justice department to straighten this matter out. From the police to the courts to the prisons to the parole department--their jobs are to keep the revolving door revolving. It may not be the American dream, but it is true.
For your satisfaction I'd check it out.
Have a nice day...
Change has come - and it's past time we return to full respect for the rule of law - and that, most certainly, includes EVERYONE in the law enforcement professions!
I want it all cleaned up - then, I want the police to help take back our neighborhoods by doing everything they legally can to go after the gangs (and criminals of every type)!
I'm tired of seeing our most vulnernable citizens victimized by stupid punks and thugs - and not having enough police to protect us all!
We either support our troops, back the badge and stand by the rule of law - or, we're going down the gutter to anarchy!
And I'm NOT talking about some sort of militarized, police state - just doing the right thing and enforcing the rule of law equally!
Sparta:
It's so obvious that you live on the wrong side of the law.....cops don't just show up at innocent people's homes and serve search warrants. If the cops are there....there is a reason!
You support a man who would place his family in such a position?? What a fool you are!
True, the articles in the paper only report part of the story, but you assume that the only info that is left out is evidence that would prove this scumbag's innocence! There's probably more info to support the police that just does not get shared. Since you have so much faith and support for Dozier, Why don't you just find out when his court appearances are and attend them with Mr. Scumbag himself. Then you'll hear more of the facts!
You stated, "he is innocent until proven guilty" yet you don't give the SWAT TEAM the same benefit. Your first comment sums it up for us all...criminal minds think alike.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....guess what! IT'S A DUCK!!!!!
Out2fNev:
My good friend you must live in a cave, or are outraged because someone has called the swat team into the press. You are right, I will be at most of the hearings. Where will you be? Hiding under your bed to see who is knocking on your door. Or, and this is just a very real guess: "you are in law enforcement, or a relative, or someone who does business with the blue coated people." This subject has played out in the comments section well enough for me. Feel free to make any comments after I sign off .
I have other things to do about getting more press on this swat team nonsense. I thank everyone for their comments. You did well in making this an interesting conversation. Adios and have a nice day!