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Trevon Cole’s fiancee Sequioa Pearce, center in white, sits with friends and family members after testifying in a coroners inquest at the Regional Justice Center Friday, August 20, 2010. Cole was shot and killed by Metro Police in June.
By Cara McCoy 
Published Friday, Aug. 20, 2010 | 8:38 a.m.
Updated Friday, Aug. 20, 2010 | 11:56 p.m.
Sun Archives
Trevon Cole shooting
UPDATED STORY: Jury: Metro detective justified in fatal shooting
Five days before her baby girl was due, Sequioa Pearce was snuggled in bed with her fiance in their east Las Vegas apartment.
The young couple was watching a documentary about Los Angeles gangs at about 9 p.m. on June 11 when they heard a knock at the door.
Shortly thereafter, a Metro Police narcotics unit rammed its way through the door and swarmed into their home to execute a warrant.
Shortly thereafter, Pearce’s fiance, 21-year-old Trevon Bertwane Cole, was shot dead.
The officer who fired the single bullet, Metro Police Detective Bryan Yant, is expected to testify Saturday at the continuation of a coroner’s inquest into Cole’s slaying.
Cole, who was hiding in the bathroom, wasn’t armed when he was shot. No guns were found in their home at the Mirabella apartment complex, 2850 E. Bonanza Road.
Police have said Cole made a “furtive movement” in the moments before Yant pulled the trigger but have not elaborated. Fellow officers involved in carrying out the search warrant testified Friday that although they heard the gunshot, none of them witnessed the interactions between Yant and Cole in the moments before the shooting. The officers testified that as they were knocking on the door and also once inside the apartment, they yelled to identify themselves as police officers with a search warrant.
•••
A coroner’s inquest is a process used to determine facts surrounding deaths involving law enforcement officers. Seven jurors will determine whether the shooting of Cole was justified, excusable or criminal.
Yant, who has been with Metro since 2000, has been involved in two other police shootings during his time with the department. One of those previous shootings was fatal.
Yant was found to be justified in his previous shooting.
Unlike a criminal or civil trial, the inquest process is not adversarial in nature — witnesses aren’t cross-examined, and the district attorney’s office is in charge of presenting exhibits and questioning witnesses.
Other attorneys and relatives are permitted to ask questions during the proceedings, but they must be submitted in writing.
On Friday, attorneys representing the Cole family, the ACLU and the police officers submitted dozens of questions for the witnesses who took the stand. By the conclusion of proceedings Friday evening, more than 300 questions had been put on the record.
In addition to being asked questions about his actions on the night of the raid, Yant is likely to face scrutiny about an affidavit he made in support of the warrant for Cole’s apartment.
In questioning other detectives involved in the raid, deputy district attorneys Chris Owens and Christopher Laurent made no bones about pointing out on Friday that information in the affidavit about Cole’s criminal history was incorrect.
In the affidavit, Yant said that Cole had an extensive criminal history in California and in Texas. A person by the name of Trevon Cole did have such a history, but that person had a different date of birth and weighed significantly less, prosecutors said.
In the affidavit, Yant implied that Cole was a big-time drug dealer and said he expected the search to yield elaborate records of drug transactions, drug paraphernalia and firearms.
Marijuana, digital scales and $702 in cash were found in the apartment. No records or guns were found, according to court documents.
Yant is also likely to face questions about whether he adhered to the tactical plan agreed to in a pre-raid briefing.
Among other inconsistencies, Yant, in a taped statement made after the shooting, told homicide investigators that officer Stuart Richmond was supposed to be his partner for the execution of the warrant. Portions of that recording were played for the jury.
Richmond testified Friday that he was guarding the rear of the team as they were making entry into the apartment and was not assigned to back up Yant.
According to testimony, the lights were out in the apartment except for light from a 42-inch television, a soft light in the kitchen area and light from the detectives’ flashlights.
Yant’s flashlight wasn’t working, prosecutors said, and he is alleged to have kicked in the bathroom door and shot at Cole in the dark.
•••
A diagram shows the position of Trevon Cole's body during a coroner's inquest Friday, August 20, 2010. Cole was shot and killed by Metro Police in June.
Pearce, 20, said from the stand that at first she thought the person at the door was her mother. She hid because she didn’t want to deal with her.
When she heard the front door being smashed in, she feared it was intruders, she said, because the two had recently moved to the area and knew of other violent crimes happening nearby.
She told the jury she could see Cole in the bathroom before he was shot. She said the light from the television was enough to illuminate the room where she could see Cole’s reflection in the mirror from where she was in the bedroom.
He had his hands up before he was shot, she said.
Her statements in court contradicted statements she made to homicide investigators immediately after the shooting. In her taped statement, she told police twice she didn’t see Cole get shot because she was still in the bedroom closet.
She said from the stand that at the time, she was in shock and had blocked out what she saw, but in the days after the shooting, she remembered what she truly had seen, she said.
Laurent grilled her as to whether she was changing her story because she was planning a lawsuit against Metro.
“Now that you’ve hired an attorney, your story has changed,” he said.
She said in addition to being in shock, she was afraid of the police officer interviewing her.
“I know I didn’t do anything wrong, but they had just shot an unarmed man, so who knows,” she said.
Pearce acknowledged from the stand that she knew Cole was using and selling marijuana. She said he was getting training in selling insurance.
Lisa Gavin, a medical examiner with the Clark County Coroner's Office, uses Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Laurent to demonstrate where a bullet struck Trevon Cole during a coroner's inquest Friday, August 20, 2010. Cole was shot and killed by Metro Police in June.
Dr. Lisa Gavin, a medical examiner with the Clark County Coroner’s Office, testified that Cole was shot in the left cheek. She said she ruled the death a homicide with the official cause of death being a gunshot wound to the head.
The force from the bullet led to concussion injuries so severe they caused his death, she said.
She also said the position in which Cole’s body was found indicated he was likely facing the toilet when he was shot. Prosecutors said he was in the bathroom flushing marijuana down the toilet as detectives were entering the home.
A toxicology report indicated Cole had THC in his system at the time of his death.
•••
In April, Yant had found an ad Cole posted on Craigslist advertising that he sold marijuana and asked Metro Detective Christopher Cannon to contact him. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Cannon, operating as an undercover officer, purchased about $900 worth of marijuana from Cole.
A video, allegedly showing Trevon Cole making an drug sale, is played during a coroner's inquest Friday, August 20, 2010. Cole was shot and killed by Metro Police in June.
One of those transactions was captured on video recorded by a reality television series that was filming Cannon and other officers doing undercover work. That footage was played for the jury on Friday.
In it, a man who appears to be Cole is seen conducting a drug transaction in Cannon’s car.
Cannon and Special Agent Matthew Peak, who works for the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, testified Friday morning about the events that occurred at Cole’s residence.
Peak said the Air Force was investigating Cole as possibly a person who had sold narcotics to military personnel at Nellis Air Force Base.
Peak and three other Air Force investigators were present the night the warrant was executed. He said he and his fellow officers remained outside while Metro detectives entered the apartment.
•••
The inquest sparked about a dozen protesters to demonstrate Friday morning outside the courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.
“We feel the inquest system is totally unfair,” said former state assemblyman Wendell Williams, who led the protesters.
Williams leads a group called A League of Action, a recently formed organization that leaders say is aimed at addressing community concerns, such as police incidents its members have said they view as “degrading and humiliating.” Williams called the inquest process a “sham” and said it needs reform.
A number of Cole’s family members traveled to Las Vegas for the proceedings. The courtroom at the Regional Justice Center filled up quickly Friday morning, prompting the use of the overflow room.
Maggie McLetchie, an attorney with the ACLU who was observing the proceedings Friday, was critical of the inquest process. She called for a more open system.
“Without a doubt, this illustrates the need for more transparency and a fairer process,” she said. “The interest today shows that the public is not only concerned about these officer-involved shootings but is also concerned about the process.”
•••
This year, Metro Police officers have been involved in 18 shootings. Five of them have been fatal.
The shooting deaths of Cole and of Erik Scott, a 38-year-old Las Vegas man killed July 10 outside a Summerlin Costco store, have received attention for discrepancies in details surrounding the shootings.
In the case of Scott, authorities said he pointed a gun at an officer, prompting three officers to shoot him. Some witness accounts have contradicted Metro’s version of events.
The family of Scott, a West Point graduate with a concealed weapon permit, has disputed Metro’s version of events and has undertaken a campaign to raise awareness about the incident.
An inquest into Scott’s death, which initially was set for Sept. 3, was postponed and has been rescheduled for Sept. 22.
Along with Yant, Metro Sgt. John Harney and Dan Long, a homicide detective, are expected to testify on Saturday. Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron is presiding over the inquest.
"Court documents indicate that in asking for the warrant, Yant incorrectly claimed Cole had an "extensive" criminal history in Houston and Los Angeles."
Is that a nice way of saying he lied?
"police executing a narcotics warrant"
Marijuana is NOT a narcotic.
"Pearce has said Cole was unarmed and didn't own a weapon."
Shooting an unarmed man point blank with a rifle while he was in the bathroom is NOT justified force.
"Yant and Pearce are among the witnesses expected to testify at the inquest."
Talk about the blind leading the blind.
why are these things planned to end the week?
cwcommish,
That way most people will be home when the riots commence after the officers are found justified.
hey, sombody needs to do something about these guys. from the sheriff to the crooked street walkers.I would ask billy the kid what he think about this,but his time came to. he is not here. he is dead. you live buy it you die by it.
Any life lost is never a good thing however the real shame is that people like this hiding all over the house don't live next door to some of the people that post.
A snowballs chance in hell that the cops will be found at fault.
A settlement will be paid to the family at taxpayer expense. Same for the Costco case. Done deal, case closed..
Is/was this inquest locally televised?
Will the pending Scott inquest be televised?
: {
It is easy to point fingers. When that cop is opening doors and yelling police I am coming in. When they see a live body, they assume trouble. If the guy flinched or moved, the cop most likely over reacted. It doesnt make it right, it also does not make him a murderer. Walk a mile in his shoes before we condemn. Had the perp had his hands up or yelled I am in here, this would not have happened. We wil never know what he was thinking, but it was not an effort to help police, we can agree on that. There can be no 'good outcome' here a man is dead, due to his criminal activity, his foolishness and most likely an officer's fear.
It's not a difficult way to live. Obey the law, don't sell drugs, don't run from police, don't hide in a closet when they come knocking and you should be able to get thru life without any legal problems.
I see his family traveled to Las Vegas for the inquest. Where were they when this guy obviously needed better direction in his life?
Same old story. Blame the cops. The moment the cops knocked on the door, both of them should have just opened the door, hands up....
Is it really that difficult to do that? Once you've made a decision to hide in a closet...how the hell is anybody supposed to know what your intentions are or what you've got hiding with you.
Cop says "stop".....stop. Cop says "don't move"....don't move. Cops says "open the door"....open the door. Is it really that difficult to obey a law enforcement command?
Will Officer Yant describe the "furtive move" that resulted in his firing his assault rifle at Mr. Cole's head?
Until a "furtive move" is adequately described, we are all in danger.
Comment removed by moderator. Comment was in all caps.
FRM.
Furtive Mmovement (noun) - That movement which allows an inadequately screened and/or trained LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) to apply pressure to a trigger that should not have been in contact with the assailing officer's finger. The movement may be as simple as an eye twitch or as drastic as a sneeze. "Furtive Movement" is also commonly referred to as "I'm a cowboy, gotcha" and "I smell danger...kinda, sorta". Hope this helps.
...A "Sequioa" discovered hiding in the bedroom closet,..
If that ain't good for a couple winding down laughs,...musta been a pretty big closet...
This is all speculation until the facts come out. Hopefully some of them will come out in this hearing.
It is possible the officer was simply incompetent, not malicious.
Trevon could have been arrested when he made his last sale of pot to the detective. Instead, they burst through his door in the dead of night, guns blazing to arrest him. They chose to needlessly put not only the suspects life in danger, his innocent neighbors, his unborn child as well as the police officers involved in the raid. Why? Why would they choose blazing guns over as simple arrest? Asset Forfeiture Laws.
The "Drug Warriors" assume pot dealers, no matter how big or small, will have several thousand dollars stashed in their houses. Which they can then seize. That's it. It was all for money, nothing to do with pot or pot sales. The more cash they seize the bigger the Christmas party, the more police toys they can buy, the more federal funding they can secure. He was killed for money, nothing else.
It's amazing no innocent neighbors were killed in this fiasco. Coming soon to your neighborhood .... late night raids, guns blazing! I suppose it's a good time for parents to invest in bullet proof vests for their children. A responsible parent would make sure the kids are wearing them before tucking them into bed.
18 shootings so far this year, 5 fatal one did not have a gun. this thing is out of hand how many people have to die before they are stop permanently. would you or your family like to be next.
Trevon Cole was lynched. Nothing he did justified the cops doing a house warrant. Metro needs to justify why Detective Yant doesn't deserve disciplinary actions for falsifying his warrant.
Dealing small amount of weed to other adults is less of a danger to the community than having three drinks and driving home on our streets.
How to recognize a "Furtive Movement" action in the future:
The "Furtive Movement" will be immediately followed by the following:"
"Holy Crap, what was that loud bang?" and "Grab the surveillance tapes, boys...We got us another COSTCO!".
MikeT and Oshikuru - Great Points
"An affidavit for the warrant indicates undercover officers had purchased various amounts of marijuana from Cole three times."
Pot is the worst excuse for police action under the drug laws.
MikeT -- excellent points. Too many here forget each of those cops took an oath to become cops, which means they promised respect for each of us and our property (4th Amendment, dolts!). That they were in Cole's house under false pretenses means the officer who swore out that warrant is the one primarily responsible for this incident. He should be the one to hang for this.
"Tobacco, hemp, flax and cotton, are staple commodities." -- from Thomas Jefferson "The Works," vol. 3 (Notes on Virginia I, Correspondence 1780-1782), "A Notice Of The Mines And Other Subterraneous Riches; Its Trees, Plants, Fruits, &C."
Get off your butts and go down to the courthouse and watch it for real. Here is your chance to say tomorrow, hey I was there and I heard everything and this is what happened......
"Yant, assigned to the narcotics division, has been with Metro since September 2000. He has been involved in two other police shootings during his time with the department."
Seriously? Why is still wearing a badge for the City of Las Vegas again? A hired gunman? THREE SHOOTINGS IN 9 YEARS?
THEN:
"Court documents indicate that in asking for the warrant, Yant incorrectly claimed Cole had an "extensive" criminal history in Houston and Los Angeles."
Incorrectly? How is this possible for a man that has been on the force for 9 years do this? Not only is he a hired, paid by my taxes gunman, he is also a LIAR!
My opinion:
This badge wearing gunman not only lied about the man he killed, but he also felt it necessary to shoot and kill him for a movement that could be considered anything. He could have been putting his hands up in the air and BAM! DEAD!
He should not be allowed to work for the PD any longer and he certainly should not be allowed within a state of a gun.
He is a murderer with a badge to do it. How sad!
This like ALL the others will be justified. The inquest panel should be aware of all his shootings UPFRONT!!
"He has been involved in two other police shootings during his time with the department".....This guy is a one man execution squad. He needs to find another line of work. The community isn't safe with this guy running around with a gun and badge.
TomD1228 asked
Cop says "stop".....stop. Cop says "don't move"....don't move. Cops says "open the door"....open the door. Is it really that difficult to obey a law enforcement command?
If you have a gun but are not holding it and the officer commands you to drop the gun, how do you obey that command?
TomD1228 asked
Cop says "stop".....stop. Cop says "don't move"....don't move. Cops says "open the door"....open the door. Is it really that difficult to obey a law enforcement command?
How do you do this when three cops are yelling different commands and one is to put down the gun but when you go to do so you are shot for making a "Furtive Movement" or the gun is not even out of the holster? What command from which officer are you supposed to listen to TomD? I'm wondering so I will know what to do if I am ever in this position?
Also this guy was in a bathroom with the light off, oh and wait for this...NO GUN!! So are the officers trained to shoot and fire even if their life is not in danger? It seems they put more lives in danger then the people they kill.
You have three cops..one yelling stop, stop, stop...
the other yelling, don't move, don't move, don't move,
then you have one yelling, put the gun down, put the gun down, drop it, drop it...So you go to drop the most dangerous thing, and BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM --- OPPS DEAD!!
Please TomD educate us on what command is more important to listen to. He stops, he doesn't move but gets shot for not dropping the gun, or he stops and goes to drop the gun and gets shot...what may I ask was done wrong here?
ANYTHING by the gun toting cops?
Let us not forget the Furtive Movements too. Oh man I didn't know someone could be shot for moving. I guess so in Vegas.
We think the economy is hurting the tourism, I don't think so, I think it's the news you come to Vegas you can be shot for moving wrong.
Yant's incompetence will cost Las Vegas taxpayers. Remove these walking liability cases from Metro's payroll and start criminally charging officers that lie during investigations or submit false sworn statements to courts.
she's drawing on his face and he's not even drunk.
They were filming a reality show? The USAF had three (count 'em three) detectives working this case because military guys were buying some weed from Trevon Cole?
What a bunch of horses asses. I guess Trevon Cole was easier to lynch than investigating Mexican drug gangs.
Yant's first shooting was Richard Brown in November 2001. Brown was the suspect in a series of armed robberies. Yant was in a foot pursuit and Brown reached into his pocket and pointed his hand at Yant. Yant fired, believing it was a gun. Brown fell, and Yant testified that as he approached Brown he still had the gun and was trying to locate Yant. Yant fired again, and Brown dropped the gun behind his head, according to Yant's testimony. Other officers immediately arrived on the scene and handcuffed Brown. None of the officers noticed a gun by Brown's head. One officer testified that he may have kicked it but couldn't be sure. A gun was later located 30 from Brown's body. Las Vegs Sun Jury clears officer in man's death Jan 4, 2002 Keith Paul
Man.
If you can't find issue with this, you are NOT LOOKING....
Think of it. A furtive moment caused Yant to fire his weapon and the shot ended up hitting the victim in the head. What are the chances of that happening? You would think that an officer would have the gun trained on the torso so that if he had to shoot he has a good chance of hitting the perp.
Sounds like an execution to me.
This incident is proof that the war on marijuana is by far more deadly than marijuana.
I realize this is only peripheral to this case, but isn't it time to legalize marijuana already? Too much manufactured crime in a supposed old-school libertarian state such as Nevada.
@Tanker1975 - if Yant was one on one with Brown and the shooting was suspicious, then was one on one with Cole, I could see how the past would be relevant to the present. However I fail to see the significance, but apparently you do. Care to explain?
@lovebug - I guess I'd pose the same question to you that I did Tanker1975.
One can only wonder if the real reason Yant filed the paperwork for the raid at Cole's house was because he wanted to look cool on the reality TV show.
Voice of Reason, I think it explains its self and I am not here to debate with you. The only thing I see is, he has shot his gun at three people in 9 years. It's time to say bye bye to Mr. Yant, the hired gunman of METRO.
How about YOU explain why it wouldn't matter about his past shootings? It's brought out in murder trials about what people did in the past. Why not the cops too, Voice of Reason?
However, on another note, in looking at the pictures 14/16 is that a baby crib as you go into the door with big hole in it? A baby crib?
Yant didn't know what was behind that door, and a baby could have been in that bed.
everyone looks high in the picture.
Also he LIED to get the warrant to go into the apartment, can you, Voice of Reason, tell me why he had to lie?
If you are going to be that voice, give us something other than you find nothing wrong with the cops of Vegas.
Either he lied/exaggerated to obtain a warrant, or he did shoddy police work on a serious case. Either way, it's not acceptable.
OMG we have a man dead over some pot? Not to mention a bunch of wannabe movie stars shooting em up like in the old west. The man was in a small bathroom, the cop was outside the door and he was shot in the face. This is as bad as the COSTCO shooting. If not worse...this guy was unarmed! All he did was move. I am at a loss for words on this one.
People should be scared of breaking the law, NOT THE LAW!!
I have been coming back off and on today waiting for the notorious headline --JUSTIFIED"
According to the testimony during today's inquest, the apparent "furtive movement" was attempting to flush the toilet. Does that put all of us at rish whenever we flush?
Waist of time and money, just arrest the guy on the first undercover drug deal and give him life considering his "extensive" criminal history
@RPJ
Exaggerated to me is lying to make things bigger than what they are. A lie is a lie no matter how you describe it. So, yes I agree it is not acceptable and he should be held accountable for lying under oath to get the warrant and murder.
@lovebug - I already explained why and when I think the past shooting becomes an issue. In the case at hand, he wasn't one on one, so IMO it shouldn't be an issue.
Do I think Yant has a problem. Sure, I think his affidavit for the search warrart is going to end up biting him in the a$$. Will it make this case a criminal act, without knowing for sure what the furative movement was, I would hate to guess. But I don't see a justified verdict.
After the inquest is over, I think Yant is going to face major personnel issues, probably go before internal affairs. I think there is a possibility he will at a minimum resign because he will have lost all credibility with the department and more importantly with the courts.
It does appear to be a baby crib, and you're right, Yant didn't know what was behind the door. For all he knew it could have been someone with a gun intending to shoot him or the other officers.
You are in a court house, at least tuck in your shirt.
@VoiceofReason
What do you mean he wasn't one on one? Yant had a gun, Mr. Cole had nothing, and also in another shooting in which Mr. Yant was the shooter that guy had no gun either.
Previous acts show the danger of a person. I don't think it should matter if it's a cop or a citizen.
He has issues and I have to agree with everything else you said about Yant. He doesn't need to resign, he needs to be placed in handcuffs and stand trial for this act. It was not justified.
When going through a door, you need to take into account one thing, someone can be in that house. Yes it could be someone with a gun, however, you put that with a trigger happy cop and you have a disaster on your hands. What is that baby, that could have been in that crib, made a "Furtive Movement" and been where this guy is now, DEAD!
He was selling POT to an uncover cop. POT!! In front of a camera for TV. I think it coming much more clear than what I thought it would.
@Voice of Reason Cont...
Common sense takes a person a long ways in life. I have to say God blessed me because I have never been accused of lacking. However, with that said, it doesn't take much common sense in this department to know that something needs to be done about the wild west of Vegas.
I am tired of seeing police shootings, no guns with the victims shots, and when they did have guns, they were not pointed at the officer.
I have been able to watch a good many of the inquest. I have also paid for the transcripts, and I have to wonder, Voice of Reason, why they are still walking around able to shoot not once more, but twice more after the first time.
I still remember one where a dude was shot in the back and the right side of the leg, BUT the cop that shot him in the leg said he was running towards her with a gun. How is possible for her to shoot him in the right side of the leg and then the other cop shoot him in his back?
I saw the pictures of the crime scene and not once, in all the pictures I saw, did I even a see a gun. Four eye witnesses to the shooting and not ONE of them can put a gun in this guys hand. These people didn't know the guy shot. They didn't see a gun and only heard the cops shooting.
I don't make blind accusations, it's has taken years of watching the police here get away with murder time after time and I pay for their shootings and also pay for them to be on the force. I, for one, am tired of it. I want something done and done now.
It could be my loved one next and we are all law abiding citizens. My sons have NEVER been in trouble. Right now they are scared to death of the police. I don't have little boys, my boys are grown and in college. Thank God not in Las Vegas. I am glad they moved away from here and in a safe place where cops don't shoot then ask questions later.
If I were to be pulled over, mistaken for someone else, I would faint, I would be so scared I would pass right out. I don't like living in fear like that with people that have sworn to uphold the law, not break it and get away with it. That's my voice of reason, and I am sorry if you don't agree with it.
Yant's first shooting came in Nov. of 2001 and he was hired on the force in September of 2000...
I may not be good at math but that is ONE year and ONE month after being hired. Also he had three shooting, not one, that I have seen, had a gun.
He is shooting unarmed men and getting away with it? Come on, when does it stop, when he retires?
I can't find any rhyme or reason for this and I can't say I haven't tried in all the years of being here in Vegas.
It might help to focus in on this issue to remember that Metro did shoot a jaywalker who was carrying a basketball.
+++++
Beware GESTAPO 9-1-1.
Part of the problem stems from the unwillingness of some people to admit that Metro has a problem. If they can't admit there is a problem, there is no change that they'll work to fix the problem.
Yant has now killed two unarmed people. It appears he lied at a previous inquest, as his story didn't match the physical evidence. Yet his "punishment" is to take a paid vacation while his actions were "investigated".
If Yant were to be fired for submitting false information on a sworn affidavit, other officers would check and double-check their information before submitting it to a court. That would set a certain standard.
However, allowing Yant to stay with Metro also sets a certain standard. It sets a standard that says it's OK to provide false information in sworn statements to a court because there are no real repercussions for doing so.
If you set the right moral and ethical standards, provide adequate training and enforce discipline, these types of incidents become extremely rare in units.
"Dr. Lisa Gavin, the medical examiner who performed the autopsy, testified that a single bullet hit Cole's left cheek and lodged his neck, sending a shock wave through his head that caused a fatal concussive brain injury."
--------
She also said the position of Cole's body on the bathroom floor indicated he was facing toward the toilet when he was shot. Prosecutors said Cole was flushing marijuana down the toilet when Yant kicked open the door. - Medical Examiner Dr. Lisa Gavin.
-------
"Yant, who was in court and is expected to take the witness stand, may come under intense questioning not only because of his actions during the raid, but also because of errors in his pre-raid affidavit in support of a search warrant. In that sworn statement, he said Cole had an extensive criminal record involving drugs in Texas and California -- he did not -- and stated that at least one drug buy was made when Cole was actually out of state."
------
"Yant also gave the impression that police thought they were going after a serious drug dealer. He noted that "almost all" people who sell drugs maintain "sophisticated and elaborate" records and that police expected to find those records, with guns and other drug paraphernalia. None of those things were seized."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/coroner-s-inque...
Man Yant is the cop of year. I am shocked he has been allowed to remain this long. LOCK HIM UP!!! NOW!!!
Damn all that for some weed and it wasent even for pounds of weed dude was selling oz of weed. That's not even a felony then they shoot him just wow!
@SummerlinCC
"Part of the problem stems from the unwillingness of some people to admit that Metro has a problem. If they can't admit there is a problem, there is no change that they'll work to fix the problem."
I AGREE 100% -- Best statement made as of yet!!
Prosecutors said Cole was flushing marijuana down the toilet when Yant kicked open the door.
Could it be, really could it be? Could it be this 21 year old man could have been shot for flushing the toilet?
Yant thought he had him a big time drug dealer, and had nothing but a pot seller. WOW!!
"Furtive Movement" could be used for moving your hands to flush the evidence. I mean he did have a search warrant under false statements. So to try and cover his lies, he shoots and kills the unarmed man?
I am pretty pro-police but this one bothers me. I believe that guy probably had a gun within reach but I question the need for a raid like this in this case. Considering the amounts of marijuana recovered couldn't they have grabbed him off the street then do an apt search. The fact that the affidavit was exagerrated also cast doubt.
I think there are a lot of good cops but as a whole they need to rethink their mindset and trim the problem children off. Also Metro has a problem with not enough veteran officers on the beat. You got guys with 3 yrs being FTO's.
Overall Metro is a good department but we need a sheriff with a fresh set of ideas and one that is a little more responsive.
@SummerlinCC - "Part of the problem stems from the unwillingness of some people to admit that Metro has a problem. If they can't admit there is a problem, there is no change that they'll work to fix the problem."
I don't think anyone has said Metro is perfect.
@lovebug - listen to the testimony. Cole girlfried told detective twice that she didn't see anything, that she didn't come out of the closet until after the shot was fired. Today she testified she saw it all, his hands held up and the shot being fired. Which is it? One of the stories is a lie.
Don't take that as I'm supporting Yant, I already said he has issues, I'm merely pointing out that not everything went down as the media had said it did.
@Voice of Reason
I don't care what the girlfriend said, she would lie anyway. I am going off of what is fact...
1. The man had no gun on him or within reach
2. he was sitting on the floor with his back to the door
3. There was no guns found in the apartment
4. Yant got the warrant under false statements
5. This man has shot at people, two we know of that was unarmed.
6. He has lied before and he is still lying.
7. "Furtive Movement" is not a reason to shoot someone.
This was NOT a justifed shooting, regardless of what the girlfriend had to say. The evidence supports an out and out killing of a POTHEAD that has less than 2oz of pot sold to undercover cops. Small time dealer flushing his little bag down the toilet gets shot in the neck.
I am not satisfied with my police department, I won't be until things like this stop. I pay them with my hard work and I should have SOME say.
People who support this kind of stuff tell us not to call Metro if we need them, trust me, I WILL NOT be calling METRO to take my trash out. They scare me!!
It's very simple, we need to replace the Sheriff with someone who will recognize and respond to our perceptions that Metro is out of control.
Sheriff Doug Gillespie will be on Face to Face with Jon Ralston on Monday to discuss this and other police shootings.
The reality TV show revelation raises even more questions. Also, why was the video of the drug sale relevant to this proceeding? Cole isn't on trial. Was it just to show the jury that Cole was a bad guy? Tune in Monday, 6:30 on Channel 3 for Jon's exclusive interview with Sheriff Doug Gillespie.
@Brianlv. When you look at the list of items recovered during the search, the only gun related item was the shell casing from Yant's AR 15(Which is the civilian version of the US Army M16)
@Voice and lovebug. The first time Yant fired he was a distance away from Brown and couldn't see what he had in his hand. When Yant got up to Brown, who was still alive, Yant claimed that he still had the gun, and Yant fired at him hitting him again while he was on the ground. After Yant fired the second time, Yant claimed that Brown dropped the gun behind his head. Other officers arriving immediately after Yant fired the second time, never saw a gun behind Browns head while they were handcuffing him. If the gun was in Browns' hand when Yant fired the second time, and fell behind his head, how did it end up 30 feet away from where Yant testified that Brown dropped it, according to Yant behind Brown's head?
One of the Officers in the Suave Lopez case was Officer Christopher Cannon.
@Tanker1975
30 feet, I would almost say that Brown dropped the weapon in his way of fleeing. However, Yant had to cover his butt as always and did what he knows how to do best... LIE!
Who is to say that gun was Browns? I mean we are dealing with a cop that can't tell the truth if it slapped him in the face.
He was justified in that shooting, so what is to say he won't be in this one too? If it just so happens it is, will the DA press charges being as they have to work so closely with the PD? How will that work for the DA. So much for everyone to think about. It makes me wonder if it's the DA that doesn't present enough evidence to get these criminal outcomes because of their relationship with the PD. I have NO faith any longer. I will be shocked to see a criminal outcome of this or the Scott shooting.
Why is the witnesses not allowed to be cross examined? I just think it should be done like a preliminary hearing, instead of it being done this way.
When you lose this much faith, our politicians should stop and pay attention and do something about this. Our Federal Government, which is supposed to be the people, should be stepping in. To much faith in the Vegas PD is gone from the public. It is getting to where even the die hard fans are starting to question things. When does it stop? Who has to die?
I live in Vegas, I pay my taxes and I work hard for my money, I pay their paychecks... THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE! I say FIRE them, I no longer feel like paying them. Start fresh, from another state that KNOWS how to train their officers right.
@Lovebug. It is the way the County Commission set up the Coroner's Inquest. They set up the ordinance that controls how the Inquest is run. It is Clark County Code 2.12. The system has been improved recently. Now the written questions are given to the Special Master, or today, the judge, who decides if the question will be asked or not. If the question is not read, after the jury is out of the court room, the unasked questions are read into the record. The County Commission has been very quiet on this issue and the problems that Metro is having, which is very strange since they pay the bills. According to the DA, if the finding is criminal, he will turn the case over to the State Attorney General to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. I personally don't see the difference between the conflict in the Coroner's Inquest and prosecuting Metro officers for criminal charges. The DA has still not taken any action on the charges Metro forwarded on Officers Ubbens and Carpenter in the Carrillo case.
@Lovebug. I predicted in a couple of blogs yesterday that this would found justified, but hope I am wrong.
That's what I am saying Tanker, I know how the process works, I have sat in on a few inquest to see how they work. I am not someone that doesn't know the process as people like to say on here (that is not directed at you). I also understand that it's the commission that pays the bills too and I am also shocked they have not said anything.
Sadly, I also know that the DA will turn it over to the State Attorney, however, I also know that the state attorney's also work closely with the state attorney's too. It all goes hand in hand.
They make it look good and a year later, nothing has happened. They hope people forget, move on and then guess what, their criminal activity is left with nothing done about it.
The only cop I know went to prison for shooting someone, was the one that did the drive-by off duty.
These gun slinging, wild west cops need to be done away with and sent to prison. That's my opinion. You give a couple charges for these things like this shooting and Scott's shooting and I bet it will slow up on the number of police shootings.
I wish they would re-work the process. As I said, I wish it could be done as a preliminary hearing type setting and let the other side cross examine them. Reading questions into the record doesn't get them answered.
From what I have seen, the panel can ask questions all they like, but the public, it's different. They have to have theirs approved first. Correct me if I am wrong. However, that was in the instructions I just read on a case not to long ago I acquired.
@Tanker1975
Sadly, I have predicted the same for this one and also the COSTCO, too.
Like you, I hope I am wrong.
I believe the the Christopher Cannon in the Suave Lopez case is the same officer in this case. Not sure, but I thought I heard him say during testimony today that he had never been involved in any other previous Coroner's Inquest. If that said under oath, I believe that it may qualify as perjury.
Can you search it in the news archives and see?
@Dana Gentry
Thank you for your post that implies you have some serious questions about the how this inquest is being conducted.
@lovebug - listen to the testimony. I believe the person from the coroner's office said he was standing in front of the toilet. He was shot in the left cheek.
Not sitting and not shot in the back of the head, your claims.
When you get the FACTS straight you'll be more credible.
She said from the stand that at the time, she was in shock and had blocked out what she saw, But in the days after the shooting, she remembered what she truly had seen, she said.
Ah Ok Whatever, say what you want about Metro, I guess she can see through doors.
None of this would be happening if we ended the prohibition on drugs.
It's sad, but this guy will get away with committing a homocide. He killed this young man for $700 worth of pot.
And what about the judge who issued the warrant? Did he/she think to ask the question....are you sure this is the correct guy?
The criminal justice in this Valley is broken...to include this inquest system. It is not designed for justice. It is a very weak process that provide cover for rogue cops. This cop has killed before and this system will probably allow him to kill again. Maybe the next time it will be a "white guy" at COSTCO.
Yant should be permanently assigned duties where he is forbidden to carry weapons.
I believe his first killing there were problems in getting accurate statements there, too.
If Yant had the cajones he thinks he has he would sign up with a contractor in Iraq to provide security. Nope that can't happen because there they would have a gun to shoot back.
CAUTION! A furtive move on your part might put you on the wrong side of deadly force. What don't y'all understand about the command : FREEZE!
It says that Cole put an ad in CraigsList for selling marijuana. WTF? Is that even possible? It would be great if we can see what the ad said so we can determine if the cops railroaded this guy.
@Cognastics:
How many weed was found inside the basketball, after the guy, who had been carrying the basketball, was shot dead?
@KeolaGOP:
Don't talk bs here, please. Have you ever seen any basketball player, who immediately freezes, when someone is yelling "FREEZE!" at him, so far?
Not me. And imho, that would not contribute to any basketball play either.
Of course he had his hands up.. and he wasn't a drug dealer either.. he was a model citizen, went to church every day of the week.. blah blah blah..
@Voice. Look at the testimony reported in the article from the Medical examiner. She reports he was shot in the cheek and was facing the toilet.
What revelance did the video clip of Cole selling drugs have to this Inquest? To show that he was a bad guy and inflame the jury? What has happened to the dope that was purchased, is it in the evidence room, properly secured?
@VoiceofReason
"lovebug - listen to the testimony. I believe the person from the coroner's office said he was standing in front of the toilet. He was shot in the left cheek."
Ok, so let's say he was standing in front of the toilet, there is still a 21 year old man dead, from standing, sitting in front of a toilet, not facing the door, and shot in the neck. It was not the front of the neck, so he wasn't facing the armed gunman. The 21 year old man had no guns on him or in his house. Yant lied to get into his house. He sold less than $1000 to undercover officers...and THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD BE DEAD!
Also the other officers have said that he was flushing the toilet.
There were NO lights on in the house but a dim light in the kitchen and from the TV and wouldn't you know it...Yant's flash light didn't work. How ironic!
The FACT still remains that this man is dead at the hands of an officer that has no regard for human life.
You say you don't defend what he does but you sit and try and find things wrong with what people are saying about the incident. Get over it Voice, you are not going to change my mind, nor are you going to intimidate me to see it the way you want people to see it.
If you would stop flip flopping in what you had to say, may YOU would be more creditable. Mine hasn't changed...ARREST YANT AND PUT HIM AWAY FOREVER!!
Just for entertainment purposes...
Let's take this out of the hands of METRO and turn it around.
Someone comes busting into a house and runs down the hall and shoots someone in the neck and they die. The Sun tells of a murder in a bathroom inside of a house. Person was shot in the neck and died on the scene.
Most of the cop supporters would be yelling string them up and let them go to prison forever. Don't let up until this murderer is off the streets and we feel safe and sound in our homes. How dare someone break into someones house and kill them.
Now what is the difference between citizens and cops? Can someone PLEASE explain to me why a cop can kill and get away with what YOU could face the death penalty for?
Are cops better than you? They are not better than me. I want justice for ALL not just the citizens that do the same as the cop.
Why not give everyone an inquest before you arrest someone for murder. Why just cops, what about the everyday Joe, too.
Why not make it fair for all?
HYPOCRITES NEVER CHANGE!
Next murder in Vegas you will see these same people defending the cops screaming to hang the people high for killing someone. Just not the cops! Cops are perfect and do no wrong! Let's just hope, and pray, it's not YOUR loved one!
oh and before I go...
@VoiceofReason
I am not on trial, I don't have to be creditable, but it would take someone blind not to see something wrong with this case.
Are you going to the inquest today? I think I may go! If you are there look for me!
I don't think you will show up, I think you will stay here and try and see who is creditable and who is not on a message board.
"According to testimony, the lights were out in the apartment except for light from a 42-inch television, a soft light in the kitchen..."
Sounds exactly like my home at night. Scary. Some police apologists out there might suggest that we should all leave all our lights on at night, in the event the police get a warrant at the wrong house and break down the door, guns drawn ...
@Seriously, Cole was engaging in illegal activity and should have been arrested. I know that there are those that think pot should be legalized, but as of today, it's not and Cole should have been punished appropriately. He was punished--and then some.
Yant filed a false sworn statement to a court and made several tactical errors that should have been prevented by training. Like Cole he must also be held accountable for his actions.
It doesn't appear that the officers bothered to conduct even a brief rehearsal prior to conducting the raid, as Yant claims Officer Richmond was his partner while Richmond claimed he was just observing because he did not have the proper training to conduct this type of raid as Yant's partner. Either this was extraordinary poor communication (which once again could have been prevented through proper training) or one of the officers is lying to protect his hide.
I can't imagine conducting any type of pre-planned tactical raid without at least conducting a verbal rehearsal, if not a "sandtable" rehearsal prior to the raid. Everyone should know their role before the operation commences.
Also, Yant claims that his flashlight was working, even though he knew he was conducting a raid at night. Whatever happened to checking off your tactical equipment before conducting a raid? One again, a very preventable failure.
Finally, I'd still like to know more about the "reality show". This operation is akin to the recently blown raid that the Detroit Police Department conducted a few months when they were being filmed A&E "The First 48"" reality TV show. The raid resulted in the death of a 7 year old girl who was shot by police. Detroit's police chief has since resigned and the city banned their police from participating in reality TV shows after it was alleged that the DPD had become more aggressive since their participation in such shows.
Also, the chair of the US House Judiciary Committee requested that the DOJ investigate the Detroit Police Department's actions and it was announced about a week ago that the DOJ has begun an official investigation of the incident that occurred back in May.
Correction: last post should have read that Yant's flashlight was NOT working
Here's the story:
Trevon Cole, using all the brains God gave a billy-goat, puts an ad on Craigslist advertising drugs for sale.
Officer Yant, finding the ad and seeing an easy bust (and maybe his big chance to be on "COPS"), investigates. With his years of experience and police training, he fails to differentiate between this Trevon Cole and another Trevon Cole in Texas, whose arrest record is extensive.
The judge, on the information given by Officer Yant, issues a warrant.
Officer Yant bangs on the door. Cole, peacefully stoned and watching TV, thinks "Oh S**t!" and jumps from the couch.
Officer Yant, with a broken flashlight, kicks in the door and enters the dark apartment. The fiance dives in the closet, while Cole rushes to the bathroom to flush the evidence down the toilet.
Officer Yant pushes in the bathroom door. Cole, a big man, tries to hold the door, but can't do that and flush drugs simultaneously. He makes a move, later called furtive, and the Officer shoots him.
The city holds an inquest. The medical examiner says that Cole was likely facing the toilet when he was shot. The fiance, who was crouched in a dark closet, says she saw the whole thing. And that her future husband was on his knees with his hands up.
But all this testimony means nothing. In the end, the shooting is deemed justified. Officer Yant is soon back on the streets and the taxpayers dole out a hefty sum to the fiance and her child.
Now, on to the Erik Scott case!
AR15's in an apartment? For those of you who don't know, this lil 5.56 round will go through 2-3-4 walls, leaves a small hole going in and explodes on the way out to a hand size exit.
This is not the first time these cowboys have murdered a person like this and gotten away with it. Handcuffed and running down the street...shot in the back and murdered. Standing there with his hands up in plain view and murdered with a AR15.
Shot in the back several times at a Cosco...
The list goes on and on....
Maybe Trevon Cole was selling pot, he should of had his day in court. Why is it some good officers can go through an entire career without using their weapon, yet this cowboy Yant has had three weapon related inquests in his short career, two of which resulted in the death of another person? Weed these trigger happy cowboys out, they give the rest of the excellent men and women of metro a bad name!
There are some excellent metro officers, then there are the ones that have no place being a policeman.
If a citizen did any of these things, he would be in jail for life. It's a two tier system, the laws are for us but not for them. Shame on Metro for retaining these types of officers and not throwing them in jail!
This is a very serious situation here. Yant also said in a sworn statement that another officer, i forgot his name, was going to be his "partner" in the raid of the apt. The officer said that was not the case, that he was not assigned to be Yant's partner. So he lied about that, too! He also lied about the drug selling in Houston, Tx. The guy is an evil, vile, wicked person with a gun and a badge, and he's a disgrace! He should not be an officer of the law. I am surprised he still has a gun and a badge. He should lose his job at Metro! PERIOD!
Gillespie is done in November. If he gets re-elected, then there is voter fraud going on BIG TIME in this city. His leadership needs to stop. Get someone in there who can make Metro shine with the locals! Get rid of cops like Yant. That would be a helluva place to start!
Bad. Just, B A D.
Public Trust.
Protect & Serve.
Sheriff Gillespie, with all due respect, you ought to drop your bid for re-election. Metro needs, and the public DESERVES, a fresh face in the Chief's office.
This Keystone Cops stuff HAS GOT TO CEASE.
WHERE IS THE OVERSIGHT???
Is the County Commission Comatose???
TomDuh...you are aptly monikered, sir.
It's obvious what needs to be done.
Laurie, you've got my vote!
Let's clean house...
this is what im thinking.
im gonna pretend im the cop that shot this guy so follow along here.
COP: hmm, another drug dealing black guy on the east side. no worries, hes weak and smalltime we can deal with him.
---break in the door---
police police police! cole! cole! cole!! (ah there he is) POW! (shot fired)....
(mentally thinking to himself ) ahh, one less n-word on the street now....my job is done. i took care of this scumbag with a lengthy criminal history (fake or not...not my problem the names match!)
===========================================
putting that aside, what was this so called movement he made, and if he had no weapon why was he shot? period.
seriously, metro is wasting time on POT????? we have real problems in this town and some scumbag selling weed small time to people to get money for his kid thats on the way is small pickins. they need to find the source not some small time idiot that cant identify cops very well on the street.
legalize pot and this shooting would have never happened and its still about the money!
you mean to tell me some small time wannabe drug dealer was worth raiding for a lousy 700 bucks? somehow i dont see it was about money. and seriously, if this pig isnt found guilty i hope the public urinates on every marked cop car they see.
i hate metro pd. i hope this 3 time shooter is found criminally guilty and i hope baby momma sues the hell outta metro for this.
shooting an unarmed man...DESPICABLE! unarmed pot dealer leaning over a toilet is not a danger and even if he got up fast enough to make a move (say charging at the cop) that the cop couldnt take that automatic weapon and pistol whip him to the ground? if a cop is supposedly trained to defend his or herself on the street for hand to hand combat they should not need a gun to take down an unarmed man....and thats if it came to a situation where the cop could not get his hand on a taser.
i hate metro pd. our police department is the worst i have ever seen. no respect on this end. only good thing they will be for me is report taking for stolen items if i needed it. when someone is in my home breaking in ill shoot them myself because i dont have the time to call 911 and wait for them to show up, so they can shoot the legally armed homeowner "by accident"
This all comes down to Metro's tactics.
They already had the authority to arrest Cole anytime they decided to do so. In other words, Metro had all the options available to them. If they bought weed from Cole 3 times before, why not make another order and simply arrest him at 10:00 AM in a parking lot ?
Anytime you send the adrenalin junkies in their black pajamas to kick in doors at 9 o'clock at NIGHT - you have just escalated the risk for everyone involved...cops and bad guys!
Read between the lines folks!
We have Metro SWAT, the US Air force and a reality TV crew - What does that tell you? Metro decided to go SWAT for the purpose of showing off in front of the TV crew and these "off the reservation" Air Force investigators...This was 100% unnecessary and it created the volatile situation from start.
No matter what happens in the inquest, you can bet Doug Gillespie's ostrich skinned cowboy boots - the taxpayers of Clark County will pay $3 million to the 20 year old fiancee.
If I "rammed my way through" someone's occupied home or apartment door, I would expect to be the one that was "executed" -- with my head blown-off.
FWIW:
A new Frontline episode begins airing 8/25 (10-11p local) on public television entitled, "Law & Disorder" where people claim that New Orleans Police used lethal force against citizens then tried to cover it up after Hurricane Katrina.
: {
@Harley: "where people claim that New Orleans Police used lethal force against citizens then tried to cover it up after Hurricane Katrina."
That's not a claim. Several officers have already plead guilty in that case, mainly the ones that were engaged in the covering up. In exchange, I believe they're agreeing to offer testimony against the shooting officers.
DOJ brought charges against the officers in New Orleans, just as they're now getting involved in Detroit. I'm sure they're watching Las Vegas very closely.
Three shootings in 9 years on the force, 2 resulted in fatalities. Yant doesn't need to be a cop anymore. Yant doesn't need to possess the power that a badge gives him anymore. Yant doesn't need to carry a gun in the name of the Metro police anymore. Letting him go would probably save future lives and money in fighting lawsuits because of his actions. There are plenty of physically and more importantly PSYCHOLOGICALLY qualified people out there who could work at Metro.
Cole was selling drugs. He started it. The police reacted to his actions. It's always someone elses fault. Cole was a good guy says his family. Yeah, right. Legalize drugs? Sure, then you will have gangs taking the drugs and turf wars. You still have beer runs and liquor thefts, and it's legal. Makes no difference. If you make poor choices in life, expect poor results. After 50+ years of life, I have no criminal record, never hired an attorney, and no conflicts with police. I wonder why? Put the blame where it belongs.
Having lived in the Las Vegas Valley for forty years I remember controversial incidents like this. Years ago an unarmed man was choked to death by Metro outside a motel room off Paradise. A sixteen years old kid was shot and killed by a off duty metro cop at a 7-eleven at Eastern and Warmsprings and a few years back some guy holding a basketball was shot and killed over on Rainbow by Tropicana. If I remember correctly the Metro cops involved were found justified in there actions in all these cases even though there were many discrepancies as too what really happened in each case. The lopsided (in favor of Metro) coroner's inquest is a joke and must be replaced. I understand that cops are human; there are good ones and there are bad ones. The good ones should be commended for doing a very difficult and dangerous job. Bad ones should be brought to justice.
@lovebug - no, I'm not going to the inquest since I had to work.
Once again, your facts are wrong. Cole was shot in the left cheek. That is not the neck.
Please, before you go off on me, check the facts. Make sure you know what your talking about.
On another note, it will be interesting to see what changes are being made in Metro that the Sheriff is going to discuss after the verdict comes in.
@Manlaw: "Cole was selling drugs. He started it. The police reacted to his actions. It's always someone elses fault."
No, in the majority of cases I think most people understand OIS incidents are justified. But people also realize that there are some cops that shouldn't be cops and there are some cops that need better training. The Scott case coming on the heels of the Cole case demonstrate this.
Yes, Cole was selling drugs and yes, he should have been punished appropriately for it. But Yant filed a false sworn statement with a court and, at the minimum, failed to follow basic tactical procedures (at worse, he's perjuring himself about Richmond being his partner).
Cole was punished--and then some--for his misdeeds. Now it's time to hold Yant accountable for his actions.
regardless of what this guy was doing, an unarmed man flushing weed down a toilet was startled by some overzealous abusive metro cop made some kind of movement so some proven trigger happy cop is now ready to shoot again.
stupid.
metro hires some real worthless human beings. the only encounters i have ever had with metro were for car accidents or speeding tickets....and all but one resulted in the cops being abusive in some way towards me....and not in any way warranted other than i didnt treat them like they were a god. considering all the non-"criminal" encounters i have had with metro and most of them nothing to compliment them about i can only imagine the attitude this trigger happy cop had like the majority of the force does.
as much as i like seeing dirtbag criminals removed from the street for the cost of a bullet instead of taxpayer funded resort living at 40k a year there is a limitation here. unarmed people should not be shot...period.
i have said this before, metros training sucks...period. this dead guy should have been beat down with a baton, or tasered, pistol whipped even....but not shot. the only training i think they get is how to shoot. they have no people skills, no tact, no nothing other than shooting and writing tickets. they cant even do accident reports correctly. pathetic excuse for law enforcement.
Forget about the recession being bad for Las Vegas, the world is learning that if you come to Vegas, there is a fair chance you may leave in a body bag after being shot by the out-of-control Metro police death squads. Fire all of those cowboy, thug cops, replace Gillespie with someone from outside of Metro, and get the remaining cops properly trained before unleashing them on the unsuspecting public.
Cara, good reporting of a story apparently of an arrest that has gone wrong. Since the deceased was standing in frontof the toilet with his hands above his head and there was not any weapons being fired by the deceased should not have the detective handcuffed the deceased instead of blasting away with his power stick. Most prudent officers would have not used a power stick in cases where the deceased has already surrendered unless there is a case of homesexuality involved and the other party is latent in discovery.
Good job of news reporting. Takes the crime out of the cornfield into the administrative offices of the departments detective divisions.
This was pre-planned, pre-meditated blatant execution in the history of Las Vegas. It's obvious to anyone with a commonsense that everything was concocted to justify this atrocity.
I wonder how many of the 'cop haters' posting on here are more concerned about the risk of losing their supplier of illegal drugs than are concerned about a poor drug dealer getting wasted by the fuzz?
pmmart...normally id say good kill, but the guy was unarmed.
i dont do drugs, i have never been arrested. but i have had some bad experiences with metro and i hate our cops. they are scumbags.
i have had the same kind of meetings with henderson and NLV and did not get the same kind of arrogance and aggressiveness that i got from metro cops. metro cops are arrogant punks and they are a disgrace to law enforcement.
(im not knocking LE at all, i respect the job that these men and women do daily, just metro pd as a whole is dispicable, not for the shootings alone but from my own personal experiences.)
http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/an...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wKRKGqYZ...
Cops shooting dogs for what?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRuYFuDfI...
dealing drugs is a dangerous business
These reality shows filming crews tend to agitate or create a situation to suit there needs I have experienced this once with a crew who were documenting trains colliding with cars on crossings this crew were guest of the csx carrier filming how many times a close call occurred while proceeding south from Nashville TN. to Birmingham Al. this crew was assigned to go along on my train and as the day went on this crew was impatient and at one point one of them actually said I hope we can hit someone and I and the engineer looked at each other as if we did not believe what we just heard and I said you have got to be kidding right and his reply was no I want to get this on tape.
So about 15 miles down the line I stopped at a small rail yard called Oakworth and ask the crew to get off my train and they looked at me surprised like. I told them I don't what to kill someone just so they could get some of it on tape, Later my superiors were going to discipline me until I showed that I was a professional and that I did not want anyone compromising my integrity. This is what those good officers should be doing the ones that I keep hearing are in abundance and each day that passes with there silence then they are becoming just as corrupt as this officer Yant.
So yes please look into these film crews to see if they may have pumped this yant guy up!
The stupid people of Las Vegas should be informed about the difference between Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter etc. No wonder why these problems happen. We have a stupid population here. You see the comments here, "oh he died over a harmless bag of weed". Gee how harmless is it now since Cole is dead....lol
Reality TV doing evidence collection? What's next? Are they going to try the case before Judge Judy?
My question:
Why are they not showing the face of Yant in these pictures? It's not like people don't know what he looks like anyway.
Also, I didn't get to go the inquest, not for lack of trying, but I got there late.
I am ready for a verdict though, I am going to go against my gut and say that they are going to find him criminal accountable for this....but we shall see...
Only because his account doesn't fit the medical examiners and she has no reason to lie.
So holding my breath that something is done, and then AG's office handles this in the way it needs to be. I don't see this as manslaughter I see it straight out murder.
However, Voice of Reason, I almost hate to type this: But I am with you and can't wait to see the changes that are about to take place. That is going to be interesting, no doubt. I just wish it didn't take this shooting and the Scott's shooting to get this done before. Although, I don't think it's going to be any big changes and I just hope it's not blowing smoke up our, well you know..but waiting for that, too.
Pearce told the jury she could see Cole in the bathroom before he was shot. She said the light from the television was enough to illuminate the room where she could see Cole's reflection in the mirror from where she was in the bedroom.
He had his hands up before he was shot, she said.
Is it any wonder that most folks don't believe these people when they just get on the stand and make a bold face lie, its their nature...She sounds like someone who has a low self esteem. I hope she raises the kids to be more honest and selective with whom they hang with..
If we are putting military service members on trial for doing their jobs in a combat zone, why can't we do the same for the police? The police get alot of training from the military and the military is held reponsible for killing someone in a combat situation... they call them war crimes. They have procedures and if the procedures are not followed and there is some type of questionable behavior, they are charged for a crime. The same standard should be applied to police.
Because of the finding of justifed, Yant will not face any criminal charges and can be restored to full duties. Yant may be coming to your neighborhood someday soon. Be afraid, be very afraid. I predicted earlier this week, in this blog that it would be found justified. New prediction, since I am one for one. What do you think the chances are of a multi-million dollar wrongful death suit being filed in federal court. There are enough errors in this case to make a settlement doubtful.
@mred. I'd take my chances with Judge Judy, at least she understands the Consitution and due process. Can't wait to see what the national media and the feds do now.
How did she see his hands when she was in a closet?
One less miscreant to worry about.
I am forty-seven and have never had Metro crash into my home.
Good Call on the verdict, let these anti-law folks try and do this job.
Put as much effort into the solution and you do into hating and the world will be a better place.
If you want to do something, send a letter to this man. If enough do it, it may make a difference.
Thomas E. Perez
Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20530
Phone (202) 514-4609
Fax (202)514-0293
Judging from the photo that shows detective Bryan Yant demonstrating how Trevon Cole held out his hands, what he called a "furtive movement", and later a "shooting stance" looks to me more like an "I surrender, go ahead and put the handcuffs on me" reaction.
Bang! Cop justified murder!
When Erik Scott was shot outside the Costco store he most likely was pulling his guns out to lay them down on the ground to comply with police orders.
Bang! Murder by cop: Justified. (I bet).
When Arizona law enforcement officers surrounded Arizona fugitives and accused murderers, John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch, McCluskey put his gun down and Welch pulled a gun out and once she realized she was out gunned also put her gun down.
Convicted felon, escapee and his accomplice, accused murderers, armed and dangerous fugitives from justice were taken into custody without any shots fired.
Police did not shoot the dangerous Arizona fugitives.
Officer justified?
all i can say is that is stright bs....las vegas get ready we might need the national guard!!!!!
bet it's going to be a busy night tongiht for metro there on edge tonight after the verdict....They might shoot another unarmed person tonight. What's crazy is the other night when that one guy killed two people metro showed up they let that guy put his gun down,I guess when that guy relized metro wasent going to shoot him he ran and did it his self! life is crazy sometimes that's why you have to take it one day at a time!!!!!
Re: lvstrip
We can't fix stupid, you're a living example!
All that is necessary for evil to win is for good people to do nothing. If you want to do something, if you really care and want to make our community better, here is a way to do it. Write a letter, make a phone call, express your outrage. Send your letters to this man. If you don't believe me check out the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division website. How do you think those investigations started, by people writing letters and complaining about a wrong that needed to be addressed.
Thomas E. Perez
Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvanis Ave NW
Washington DC 20530
phone(202)514-4609
fax:(202)514-0293
If you truely care and want to do something for the Cole family and get them justice, write to Mr. Perez.
Can somebody explain to me how the medical examiner report on the autsopy findings and Yant's version don't match, and Yant couldn't explain why they didn't match? So the scientific evidence didn't matter to the jury, just Yant's version of the story, and the magic words, "I was in fear for my life"
a black guy gets shot by the trigger-happy popo and it's justified. Shocker!
this one, Costco, next one, no matter
All Police killings of citizens are always found to be justified. Period.
Has been this way since, well. . . forever.
Only diff is --
"Halt or I'll shoot" Every where else
"Halt and I'll shoot!" Las Vegas Nevada