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StumbleCounty might show Costco shooting inquest on TV
Friday, Aug. 27, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.
Sun archives
- Inquest set for Sept. 22 in police Costco shooting (8-19-2010)
- Metro mails Costco customers to find witnesses in police shooting (8-18-2010)
- Candlelight vigil held in memory of man killed by Metro Police (8-11-2010)
- Planning for a situation like recent Costco shooting not easy for police (7-19-2010)
- Man killed by police in Costco shooting honored at memorial (7-17-2010)
- Metro IDs officers in fatal shooting at Summerlin Costco (7-12-2010)
- Officers fatally shoot armed man at Summerlin Costco (7-10-10)
The coroner’s inquest into the July 10 fatal shooting by Metro Police of West Point graduate Erik Scott at the Summerlin Costco could be shown on the county's cable channel.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who also sits on Metro’s Fiscal Affairs Committee, wants fellow commissioners to vote on the idea at their next meeting Sept. 7.
Approval from the commission is needed because the live broadcast on cable Channel 4 would supercede regular coverage of the commission’s zoning meeting on Sept. 22.
Sisolak has talked to Sheriff Doug Gillespie and Coroner Mike Murphy, both of whom approve of the idea, he said.
"I think it’s important for people to be able to see the inquest and make up their own minds," Sisolak said. "It will either ease their feelings or they won’t like it. But I don’t see how openness and transparency can be a bad thing."
Gillespie said not everyone can get to the courthouse to watch the inquest.
"This isn’t new," he said. "It’s been done before and I’m in support of it."
The inquest is a procedure allowing a jury to decide if a fatal shooting by an officer was justified, excusable or criminal. Three Metro Police officers shot and killed Scott as he exited the store.
Though held in a courtroom, inquests are not trials. And while police say inquests provide transparency, critics such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada have called them shams. The ACLU has said it would like to see the state attorney general handle the cases to eliminate what it perceives as bias, because witnesses are questioned by a lawyer from the District Attorney’s Office.
KLAS-TV will broadcast the inquest on digital cable Channel 128, a station spokeswoman said. KSNV-TV also will carry the inquest live on Cox Cable 123.
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Yeah! I hope it happens... Scott sounds like a cocky bozo, with a permit to conceal. Go Metro!
That could be the best thing to develop from the Erik Scott tragedy.
I would go so far to propose that the Commissioner's regularly scheduled zoning meeting be rescheduled so the Commissioners can view the Coroner's Inquest from beginning to end to learn first-hand why an overhaul is so desperately needed.
Until things are much improved: Beware GESTAPO 911.
lots of questions need to be answered; did scott have two guns? was he cooperative? what caused the police to shoot?
Most people have already made up their minds...regardless of the inquest.
Easy to predict:
Cops will get off(video evidence not available due to "convenient" technical glitch). Fact is an exemplary American was basically murdered and yet some doofus here comments "Go Metro".
Costco and Metro(taxpayers) will pay the family millions.
Chunky says:
With all the public speculation, good and bad the video, audio tapes, witness statements and toxicology reports should be released.
Regardless of what they may show though, Chunky still says that when armed police officers issue direct commands to you, the only response is to completely obey their orders else the short-term outcome is not going to be in your favor.
That's what Chunky thinks... at least until he finishes his morning coffee!
Was the gun in his hand as he walked out?
Not a good idea.
Was he told to drop it or was he told hands up...maybe one followed the other. Logical. No?
Did he pull a 2nd gun?
Still no idea what the need is for 2 guns in Summerlin Costco. Gangs and criminals don't even know where it is. Red rock?...they never heard of it
three words...
CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD!!!
Bring out the conspiracies, there will be some good ones today.
I hope this is shown so noone will question the out come.
This should be for public viewing 24/7. Maybe the bad guys will think before they act if they know their actions will be televised.
Conspiracy? Why think that? Obviously this town and it's history is a clean a whistle. Right??
Yant went from a zero to a hero during the last coroners inquest which begs the question...Why even bother with the next coroners inquest ?
If they are willing to go public that can only mean one thing, the video was "damaged" and can not be viewed, whitewash. For those of you commenting on a second gun you obviously do not carry and therefore should not comment due to your lack of understanding. There is a very good reason police and CCW holders carry a 2nd gun, if their gun is taken away from them in a scuffle they have a back up to help prevent them from being killed with their primary weapon. Stick to something you understand like baking cookies versus conceal carry. And for those that think there is no reason to carry in a Costco located in Summerlin you are truly naive to believe that violent crime does not occur in your make believe safe zones. The only one's that acted like bozos are the 3 LVMPD officers that shot Mr. Scott 5 times in the back as he lay dying on the ground. The police were barking conflicting commands to Mr. Scott and failed to maintain clear communication which only escalated the problem and confusion. RIP Erik Scott.
By the time this is over, Metro will be facing multiple RICO suits and a DOJ investigation and taxpayers will be footing the bill to the tune of millions of dollars, if not tens of millions of dollars. Apparently, paying Metro officers six-figures paychecks doesn't equate to a professional department.
Metro attempted to press false charges against Calvin Darling in the Manor case. Now we've seen Officers Ubbens, Carpenter, Yant, Goris, etc. all caught committing crimes ranging from lying under oath to fabricating paperwork.
We've got eyewitnesses in the Scott case saying officers issued conflicting commands. Given Metro's track record, does anyone really think the officers will admit to doing so, even if they did?
Scott's girlfriend witnessed the whole incident--from the interaction with the Costco employee to the shooting outside. She is the ONLY person that witnessed the whole incident. Let's hear what she has to say.
I wonder if the costco 911 caller has been ID'ed yet...? Or will they have trouble figuring out who placed the call ?
After only 2 months to doctor the tape, now the sherrif wants the public watch the murder of a citizen.
@fremmasmind:
"Maybe the bad guys will think before they act if they know their actions will be televised."
=====
Well it's a good thing you're frimma's mind b/c you apparently don't have a very good handle on the criminal mind.
===
Beware GESTAPO 911.
Ok why not carry 3 guns? This way when you get jumped by 2 thugs and they take your primary and secondary gun...you have a third.
Hell, why not throw in a hunting knife for good measure?That Costco sure is a war zone....lol.
I still don't understand, how this guy had 2 guns on him. The artical dated 7/10/10 says the man was shot, then taken to the hospital, where he later died. It said, that the hospital found the second gun. What my problem with this is, if a armed man is shot by cops, and still alive, the cops do a pat-down, to check for more weapons, before they even take their eyes off the perp. This tells me, that Metro didn't do a pat-down, or they DID a pat-down, and planted a second gun on him.
"This tells me, that Metro didn't do a pat-down, or they DID a pat-down, and planted a second gun on him."
aye yi yi...
hmmmm...maybe it was Professor Plum in the Lounge with the candlestick?
No it was Colonel Mustard with a wrench in the library
When a person carries a concealed weapon , they don't keep it in their glove box and decide carry it before going into a store such as Costco. They wear the gun when they leave the house or some carry the gun with them the entire day even at home. As with a pocket knife or cell phone, your not aware of the gun the entire time your carrying it.
Rancher
The paper said that the second gun was found in the ambulence on the way to the hospital and like almost all deaths, it was said that he was declared dead at the hospital because that is where they check for signs of life.
@Rancher: Yes, Metro said at the time of the shooting, they didn't see a second gun at the scene. Don't be surprised if this story changes by the time the inquest is held.
@TomD1288: Scott routinely carried tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical devices into many less-than-safe areas where hospitals are located. Many device and drug reps. carry weapons (really, would you tote around Oxycodone in Las Vegas without a weapon)? To Scott, putting on his weapon was probably as much a routine as brushing his teeth or wearing a shirt. I know you don't like to hear that some people carry weapons, but it's reality and its' completely legal.
The same folks defending the officers in the Scott case are pretty much all the same folks that defended Yant in the Cole case. As a group, they have about as much credibility as Yant. Don't expect critical thinking or anything other than lemming-like behavior. Last week, anyone suggesting that Yant intentionally falsified documents and attempted to cover his lies was accused of believing in conspiracies.
There were red flags all over the Yant case, just like there are red flags all over the Scott case.
"When a person carries a concealed weapon , they don't keep it in their glove box and decide carry it before going into a store such as Costco. They wear the gun when they leave the house or some carry the gun with them the entire day even at home. As with a pocket knife or cell phone, your not aware of the gun the entire time your carrying it."
THAT IS THE ISSUE!!!
Carrying a gun, a concealed gun brings responsibility onto YOU. You need to be aware which stores allow guns on their premises and which don't. If you choose to bring it into a store that doesn't allow guns then you better make damn sure it's concealed. My recommendation would be not to enter a store that doesn't allow it. If you do and it's seen and you are asked to leave..leave quietly. Is that so difficult?
I fully support the right to bear arms. You want to carry a CW?...fine. Just make sure you are aware of the limitations (Private businesses have the right to ask you to leave their premises)..Just like your rights, they also have rights. If you are a CW holder and you don't give a damn about a store policy or if your neighbor doesn't want the gun on his property for a bar-b-que, then you are the one at fault and infringing on others rights.
Carrying a gun is NOT like carrying a cell phone. Much greater responsibility to know the rules. It's not a pen knife.
"@TomD1288: Scott routinely carried tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical devices into many less-than-safe areas where hospitals are located. Many device and drug reps. carry weapons (really, would you tote around Oxycodone in Las Vegas without a weapon)? To Scott, putting on his weapon was probably as much a routine as brushing his teeth or wearing a shirt. I know you don't like to hear that some people carry weapons, but it's reality and its' completely legal."
again. I support the right. We will never agree on the idea of Erik needing to strap on 2 guns and go into Costo with them (again, gun ownership brings responsibility onto you).
It may be like brushing your teeth or wearing your shirt..but again, it is your responsibility to know the law, the rules and the protocol. Last time I checked there were no limitations on briushing your teeth or wearing a shirt. Guns bring on greater responsibility. You have to be aware. If you can't do that or can't be bothered, then I would suggest not to carry.
It's not about how or why Scott had 2 guns on his person.
Points being missed.
Did a solid citizen suddenly go bizerk and started to destroy merchandise in Costco as the 911 caller stated?
Did that same citizen come out of Costco waving his gun(s) at Metro?
What are the most likely answers to both questions?
Like I said earlier, who's got a story. It's too bad the SUN doesn't give out $1,000 to the person with the correct scenerio. This is getting interesting.
Cognastics, try to comment with a little more intelligence next time, DUH?
this is to the police advantage because we all know the inquest is BS. The accused will walk free and this will only hurt the victim's family.
TomD 1228
There were no signs posted at the Summerline Costco that said guns were not allowed. Get your facts straight
Does anyone remember that Erik Scott was reported to be a graduate of the WWEST POINT ACADEMY ? That, plus his military service AFTER graduation, tells me that Scott was AWARE of HOW to use a weapon, but also HOW TO AVOID getting shot.
But it seems he wasn't given the chance TO DO what 3 cops told him to do - put his gun on the ground; and get on the ground.
In this frenzied situation, with 3 cops each barking DIFFERENT ORDERS at Scott - this out-of-control situation resulted in Scotts's death.
Scott's only "furtive movement" (according to some in the crowd) was he (may have) reached for his gun to put it on the ground - AS DIRECTED. But in the (presumed) confusion, this movement was the "trigger" for at least one cop to start shooting - and the other two followed. Mayhem broke out, and Scott is dead.
Maybe this shooting will be seen as justified - or, seen as a reckless shooting, by incompetent cops who did not have adequate training or presence of mind.
Or, perhaps, it will be found to be manslaughter - and the unjustified taking of a human life.
And what about the - registered or unregistered - 2nd gun that was "found on Scott" later. If Scott had a permit to own a gun(s), the police will have a record of this 2nd gun (assuming it was registered) - with the serial number, caliber, manufacturer, model, etc., and with Scotts name and signature on the permit, or "gun registeration card" - as issued by the LVMPD.
Then SOMEBODY will know where this 2nd gun came from - unless it is a clean "throw away."
There is only one reason that metro is not objectng to the inquest being shown on tv. Either the tape is corrupt and not viewable or there is no angle on the tape that shows Scott either having a gun draw or not. It wouldn't matter if the tape showed Scott walking out of Costco with his hands up and making no movement whatsoever toward his gun. The Coroners Jury has already got out the Justified stamp. How safe would you feel driving around Las Vegas as a member of the Coroners Jury after finding one of Metro finest quilty. About as safe as testifying agaist the Mob and thinking you're safe to go on with your daily life.
The real tell of the state of affairs here is that people have already made up in their minds what happened based on hearsay and fabricated conspiracy theories. The truth won't even change how most of you perceive this when it all comes out. Sad.
@ls1: Here's my bet. The Metro officers will get on the stand and claim that they felt "threatened" just as Officer Yant claimed during his inquest. Metro will come out and say that the hard drive was permanently corrupted and there is no videotape available to either corroborate or contradict the officers' version. We'll no doubt hear from a Costco employee looking to save his hide. The DA will present conflicting eyewitness accounts making it difficult for the inquest panel to reach a decision. In the end, Officer Mosher will return to the streets with his second kill under his belt and two rookies will learn that you aren't accountable for your actions if you're on the payroll of Doug Gillespie's Metro.
As in the Cole case, the truth won't probably emerge until after the inquest. In Scott's case, that means during the civil trial and what is shaping up to be the inevitable DOJ investigation of Metro.
There are some things that I will be interested to hear.
I'd love to hear what excuse Metro gives for why a guy like Scott--who was looking forward to moving in with his girlfriend, had served his country and passed through one of the most rigorous and stressful training experiences in the US military, and by all accounts was stable enough to be working with heart surgeons on a daily basis--somehow decided to point a gun a three Metro cops.
Scott's girlfriend is the only person that witnessed the ENTIRE event from start to finish. I'm going to be interested to see what she has to say. Of anyone that takes the stand that day, I am venturing that her story is probably closest to the actual truth.
I doubt that somebody who goes through the training to get a concealed permit, would walk around with an unregistered gun, or a gun with a filed off serial number. If the serial numbers on the guns found don't match the serial numbers on Erik Scotts paperwork, I think that Metro has a problem, very similar to the "sloppy paperwork" of Yant. I would also suspect that one officer fired first, and the other officers fired based on the first shot.
I think all of you need to move out to hollywood and start directing movies, I mean listen to what you are saying... planting a gun on a guy in broad daylight in front of everyone. Give me a break.
I agree that the inquest system is flawed but I guess we don't need anything. All we have to do is let all of you make the determination of what happened based on your OPINIONS.
If someone wants to carry 2 guns so be it, as long as it is lawful.
West Point Graduate... who cares, doesn't make him exempt from having a mental breakdown or any other troublesome issue in his life.
If someone is not holding a gun, the police will not tell you to PUT THE GUN DOWN !!
The police did not shoot him while he was laying on the ground.
Should Yant be punished... without question he should be.
Didn't Scott supposedly tell the emplyee he was a "Green Beret?"
I thought it was written he was trained as a tank officer...
How does a guy get trained as a tank officer, AND a green beret in two short years of active service?
Hmmm seems a little fishy there.
Just because he has a college degree, graduated from a military academy, and had a good job, you don't think that he could have had some personal issues deep down? Good people do stupid things ALL THE TIME.
When i first heard about what had happened to Erik Scott, my "Hollywood Movie" mind pictured this scenario. I think that the Costco employee did not like what Scott was doing and told him to stop. Got pissed off when he wouldn't and by shear accident saw one or two concealed weapons and said ok to him or herself "I'll show you" because you wouldn't listen to me, and proceeded to either call 911 or had someone else call it in making a MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL. Now, i also don't think that Erik Scott threatened him/her or anyone else that day while inside Costco!!!!!!! Even when they were evacuating the store i don't believe that Erik Scott knew that they (Metro) were gunning for him, so why would he come out of there with guns ablazing??? And lastly, just maybe he was reaching for his gun-guns to lay them down and some trigger happy metro cop in one split second took "THAT" as threatening behavior and blasted away!!!! After all METRO already knew that he had one or two weapons on him from the 911 call, correct????? All i know is that i would not want to be the person who called it in, i couldn't live with myself knowing i cost someone their life over something stupid. Karma has a funny way of coming back to people in ways that we can never imagine. I wonder how it was that the two people wanted "Bonnie & Clyde" were caught in Arizona without one single gunshot??? I will be praying for the truth to reveal itself during the inquest.
It seems to me that most everyone has already made up their mind on this matter.
I'm looking forward to the hearing where we will hear sworn testimony for the very first time.
I really want to learn what went so wrong in this incident that resulted in the death of someone who may or may not have done anything wrong.
I want to see something besides newspaper reports and wild speculation from both sides of a issue so important to those of us who carry concealed firearms.
I feel like fair minded thinking people can listen to the facts and weed through the evidence and arrive at what is most likely the truth.
I'm waiting for that day to make up my mind and learn what we can to be safe.
If carrying a firearm alone put Scott more at risk for losing his life then we need to know why.
If something else or a combination of events was at fault we need to know that.
If the fault lies with the law enforcement we need to know that.