The Santa Clara County coroner’s office reports that an “astronomical” amount of methamphetamine killed a man who died in February following a violent fight with San Jose Police.
When Richard Lua, 28, died following the altercation, suspicion immediately fell on the Tasers that members of the SJPD were forced to use to subdue him. Officers reported that Lua was attempting to evade arrest, and tried to grab an officer’s gun before he was stunned.
SJPD began using Tasers in 2004 to give officers an alternative to firearms. In that time six people have died following the use of Tasers. In a 2006 incident, the weapons were cited as one cause of the death of Jorge Luis Trujillo, who had been severely beaten with a baseball bat by a group of men earlier. When police found Trujillo, he was smashing a garden hoe against a car.
Santa Clara County medical examiner Dr. Michelle Jorden stated that the Lua case was different from Trujillo’s. According to her report, the massive level of methamphetamine in Lua’s system was the cause of his cardiac arrhythmia. The complete story is in the Mercury News.
This can’t be? What are all of the cop-haters going to say now?
Hugh,
They are going to say he was a great kid, great father, about to start a job and on the verge of turning his life around after one last massive meth binge, and the racist police took all this away from him and they need more training dealing with mentally ill people.
#2—well….yeah. Another lowlife as*hole gone, whose lowlife as*hole family just loved the sh*t out of his sorry a*s, and just can’t understand why the racist cops took all that away from him and all his meth-abusing homies. One less sh*thead who can’t breed and bring another generation of lowlife, meth-head, spouse-abusing sh*theads into the world for the rest of us to have to deal with, all the while the ACLU folks sue for “they rights”.
cop haters are gonna say “read the rest of the article BEFORE you comment” you are totally missing the point if you just read the introduction. geesh
Wow JohnMichael O’Connor. You are so full of hatred. You reveal your own ignorance by your comments.
JMO- WOW! What is going on with you? I have to agree with Fernando, that was pretty much uncalled for. I get that you don’t like violent criminals, etc., but come on that post was pretty much out there. You are usually much more evenhanded and compassionate than that.
What is happening to this blog period? It sure has taken one hell of a dive since Jack left. I think this entire one-sided reporting has really brought this blog to a point of no return.
Kathleen,
You are the one that started all this hatred, along with your sidekicks. This has become one sick episode for the City Of San Jose. Accountability is not Cop Hating!
D.O.A.,
I unabashedly state that I am not now, have never been, nor will I ever be, an apologist for lowlife meth-heads who wreak havoc on their families and the community.
Kathleen & Fernando, if you wanna be apologists for them, fine. But don’t jump on my case ‘cuz I have no pity for them. I am tired of the PC bullsh*t.
If Jesus wants to forgive these clowns, fine; but I’m not ready to give them any slack. Giving a lot of assh*les slack is one of the things that got us into the mess this country is in.
So, now that the coroner has said this meth-crazed jerk-off died from his own lack of control, will Webby, Metro, & Raj mount an attack against the coroner as some racist dog?
It has little to do with Jack leaving but everything to do with the people who are posting here.
#6
I agree Kathleen. During the pre-Metro era we had some pretty diverse viewpoints from the likes of Tom McEnery, Jack, etc which created lively discussion whether you agreed with them or not.
However the crusades of Raj and the Metro has created a strong reaction from the conservative leaning people who comment here and has very much polarized this blog. Personal attacks and hatred from those commenting, both pro-police and anti-police is now the norm. I do miss how it used to be.
I don’t want to give off some “kumbaya let’s all get along” attitude. Just making an observation.
#9,
“It has little to do with Jack leaving but everything to do with the people who are posting here.”
Well then, John W. Why don’t you see if you can elevate the discussion? You’ll have to do better than these one-liner hit and runs though. Try stringing several sentences together and tell us what’s on your mind.
This sums it up perfectly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB9-NcunsKc
#8-JMO,
You have every right to express your opinion. I was just surprised by the way you expressed them. Like you, I don’t want to see anyone who is breaking the law get a free pass. I just think things have taken a real turn for the worst because articles posted on the Metro’s version of SJI don’t have a balance of a differing view. If you notice many regulars have left SJI. I have spoken with a few of them and they all say the same thing, if they want to read the Metro, they’ll pick one up.
DOA accuses me of starting the hatred on here because he/she sees any person who has a differing opinion as a hate monger, and of course doesn’t offer any comment past that remark relating to the actual topic. By stating my support for the Police and by challenging Raj’s facts and viewpoint, I have taken a lot of flack for it. I make no apologies for my stand on things either.
I just think Dan Pulcrano needs to look at the result of what he has turned SJI into; listen to the many criticisms he has heard voiced on here, and strive toward a more balanced blog. Either that or re-name it to reflect what it is now because this hasn’t been SJI for quite some time now.
So now SJI sinks to Paul Harvey to make its case. Who’s next, Rush? Harvey, of course, would have us believe that there are no police women. He also fronts for the union when he implies the difficulty of providing for ones family on the salary of a police officer.
This piece, while infinitely better than the child-like video the POA has posted, does little to further this discussion.
I’m sure you can find more useless quotes and videos to post here—it sure beats having to indulge in a constructive discussion.
Not every person is a cop hater. There are some very excellent well trained officers but there are also some police officers that are cold blooded murderers!! As for John Boy thank goodness your not a police officer. Everyone would be killed. It would be nice if all of you could attend the trial and then hear the real facts revealed. Some of you are so naive I question if you have any brains. As for the officers and coroner the truth is going to come out. Sorry to say we are not all lowlifes. Your in for a big surprise Mr. John Boy. There is only one judge and he sits on the thrown. Blessings to you all.
#7—I reject the notion that the police need to be “accountable” for felons and their adoring families; or to you, Fernando, Raj, Metro, or Webby. They are accountable to the public they are sworn to protect; not the scumbags they take off the streets, or the limousine liberals.
Kathleen #13—I’ve had it with the apologists for the felons, and I’m not high on BS PC language to describe them. If you’re a 3 time loser in California, you’ve had your cases heard by a jury, had (for most scumbags) free legal representation, and for a high percentage, free translators into your first language,. I have ZERO sympathy for these assh*oles, and no need to use sugar-coated language to describe them. Do I hate criminals? YOU BET! If Fernando & Webby, Raj, and D.O.A like them so much, tey can pay for their lawyers and translators, and they can invite them to live with them when they are paroled.
Diva #14—another meth-head lover. Hey, girl, for many years I did criminal defense. Then I got tired of getting these people good plea deals that got them back on the streets too soon; or getting an acquittal now and then. Having defended many, I know what they are. So, is your boyfriend a felon or former felon; or a meth head? Good luck, honey.
#14-Obie,
Listen to the message on the video, and don’t shoot the messenger.
#15-Diva in Rocklin,
” It would be nice if all of you could attend the trial and then hear the real facts revealed. Some of you are so naive I question if you have any brains.”
Last year my friend was murdered. I listen very carefully to every excuse the Defense Attorney makes for these suspects. Then I look at the photos of my murdered friend lying face down in the parking lot of a bank, photos of him with a bullet in his head, blood running down the pavement. Then I look at his widow, daughters, and his Father. Then I look at these defendants who have long criminal records and am shocked to see no compassion, or remorse for this family’ pain. So, yes, I highly recommend you take your own advice and go to a trial, but this time sit on the victim’s side of the room you just might learn something.
Both Johnmichael and I work/worked in the justice system, exactly what do you do that qualifies you as such an expert?
JMO’s right.
We’re smothering ourselves in political correctness. There are some things we should be mad as hell about and we’re pissed off and there’s nothing wrong with SAYING that we’re pissed off.
JMO’s thing is criminals.
My thing is pandering leftist politicians.
I hate them both but believe that we wouldn’t even have the criminals if it weren’t for the selfish, arrogant creeps that we elect to office and the destructive legislation they enact.
So I’m a hater. So you don’t want to participate in a blog that has posts from haters like me. Fine. Talk amongst yourselves then.
Scumbags, meth-head lover, limousine liberal, assh*oles, free translators into your first language…
I think somebody needs a nap!
#19—no, actually the people who have been running this country (into the ground) have been napping far too long.
#10 and #13:
Lots of Metro-bashing, but remember:
– who’s paying for staffing to keep this blog going?
– Tom McEnery can contribute anytime he wants, and so can any of his fans who want to add their thoughts
– it still gets more commentary and views than any political blog in San Jose
– Say what you want about the paper, it’s been right a few times… Tony West was identified as an up-and-comer 11 years ago and now he’s the US government’s top civil attorney: http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/01.15.98/cover/silval4b-9802.html
#18
“I hate them both but believe that we wouldn’t even have the criminals if it weren’t for the selfish, arrogant creeps that we elect to office and the destructive legislation they enact.
So I’m a hater. So you don’t want to participate in a blog that has posts from haters like me. Fine. Talk amongst yourselves then.”
Next time I hear Bill O’Reilly or some other Conservative commentator complain about the “hatred of the left” I shall remember your quote Mr. John Galt
#20- Don’t hide behind a slap at me by using my name in your signature, have the guts to ID yourself.
A few very important points to keep in mind:
This blog is successful because of the very people you are calling out, not because Metro pays a staff to run it. Many original bloggers have left because this site just isn’t what it once was. Many were going to leave, me included, but Jack asked us to stay.
We have made honest criticisms, and have made suggestions that have gone ignored by Dan Pulcrano. Eventually as Peter Campbell, and other more conservative blogs appear more of us will leave because Police bashing, and articles defending criminal behaviors are getting old fast. So either know and respect your audience and give them what they ask for, or like the Mercury News found out well I think you can figure out the rest.
J in Berryessa,
“Next time I hear Bill O’Reilly or some other conservative commentator complain about the “hatred of the left” I shall remember your quote”
And this will help you how, exactly?