Sorry--cop killer or not--lawlessness among police officers is unacceptable. There is a judicial system set up to deal with criminals and it is the mission of the police to uphold and enforce the law.

Don't confuse the issue with inflammatory phrases like "cop killer".

That being said, I certainly do hope the full might of the DA is brought to bear on this scum so that he pays for what he did. It is a real shame that the fine police officer lost his life in such a manner. My sympathies go out to his family, friends and the Providence Police.

"Why does the NAACP support the cop killer, but never the dead cop?"

I'm not a member, but I'm going to go with the surprising proposition that the NAACP doesn't support cop killers. In fact, I feel rather confident they abhor them. But, what the organization does do is support the civil rights and liberties of the constituency it was created to protect: African-Americans. You hear about their advocacy in situations like this precisely because the crime committed is so reprehensible--and therefore the possibility a full investigation into potential abuse of authority is less likely. For the same reason--the reprehensibility of the crime--people are less likely to ensure (or care) that the defendant is treated fairly. Ensuring fairness when less people are less inclined to do so is part of the job of the NAACP, and (I would suggest) is an important role.

Why don't they mourn the loss of Sgt. James Allen? I'm sure they do. But publicly praising Sgt. Allen while at the same time requesting an investigation into the treatment of his alleged killer appears two-faced and hypocritical. It'll hinder the requested investigation and provide little or no solace to Sgt. Allen's family. If it won't benefit any party involved, on either side, it's hard to see why it should be done.

Finally, a point about the trial being a mere formality. First off, I'm unsure how one can "hide behind" a tenet of our criminal justice system as fundamental as "innocent until proven guilty." Assuming it is possible, however, I'd point out that it is in cases where the outcome seems most obvious that the idea holds the most importance. If "innocent until proven guilty" doesn't hold in the most difficult cases, it a largely hollow concept.

This case makes me sick, why do these kind of organizations defend cop-killers and ordinary criminals, but in the other hand condem and satanize guys like Lt. Ilario Pantano who seems to have followed all rules of engagement in iraq while doing a really altruist service for his country and its values.

Don't confuse the issue with inflammatory phrases like "cop killer".

Aaron! Stop confusing the issue with facts!

I agree that NAACP does go overboard sometimes, but that guy was obviously beaten. You don't fall three stories, land on your face, and walk away. Other stories say that he hadn't slept for three days and was seeing and hearing things. I'll be surprised if he is found competent to stand trial.

Shame about the officer. Sounds like he was a good guy.

Is this what passes for the cream of the right-wing blogosphere crop?

Sheesh. A rant about the silliness of investigating whether or not a cop killer's rights were violated?

I would have thought this was just too empty-headed to pass for commentary. Of course the NAACP is concerned -- thank goodness someone is willing to raise a difficult point when the overwhelming weight of opinion lies the other way.

Or perhaps they're just grandstanding hoping to get to the top of the Politically Correct Pyramid. Yeah, that's it. That's the ticket.

At least on the left, you can fight and argue and bitch and moan, but you have to have a clue.

Funny indeed, how when an alien threatens to blow up a building because he's upset, the ACLU wants to 'ensure he gets a fair trial in a CIVIL court of law', but when a US citizen (You know, the ones the rights were actually written about? The "american" in "american civil liberties union" ?) is court martialed for shooting an enemy combatant in the middle of a war, the ACLU wants to make sure he's fully and anally prosecuted in a military tribunal.

While they conveniently throw in a "all persons" and a "all citizens" here in there, it is clear that those are terms to counter the divisive racial hatred of days in which the NAACP was formed by helping black people achieve civil rights.

"of days" Are you questioning the need today?

My sympathies go to the family of Officer James Allen, especially his daughters and wife. May his killer be brought to justice. As for the NAACP, I do not believe their adgenda is to support cop killers.

My reason for this post is to state thay Mumia Abu Jamal was convicted for killing Officer Daniel Faulkner. That does not mean Mumia killed Officer Faulkner. My sympathies also went out to his family. I had second thoughts about Maureen his wife, when I witnessed her lie on Mumiaand say he sneered at her when they held Danny;s bloody shirt up in court. When the shirt was displayed, Mumia was not in the courtroom! I was there. I would want to know who really shot my husband if I were her. This is not your regular case. --- THE POWER OF TRUTH IS FINAL --- LLJA

Androminos, I'm with you on this one.

I truly wish justice served in this case, and in all cases. I find it disgusting that people who are in the capacity to protect and serve, choose to take the law in there own hands or take their anger and vengence out on the suspect they arrest. I agree that there is a need to ask if civil rights were violated and I would like to see law enforcement handle themselves in a manner that reduces the need to ask the question. To serve, as in "Public Service" has a specific meaning and in law enforcement it doesn't mean the freedom to abuse those arrested, even when there is no doubt of there guilt. The actions of law enforcement to date is the reason the question is being asked, so when will they acknowledge they are part of the problem. If being spit upon and abused by the criminal element provokes uncontrolled anger then they need to find another profession.

I know the question remains; "Was civil rights abused?" It isn't a crime to insure procedures were followed. The guys face is a mess, and I do hope it was from the jump because I hate to see thugs walk on a technicallity

I grew up in a cop's house. My father was an outstanding cop. Fair enough to help anybody that needed it black or white. He taught me to never hit anybody first and never hit a woman. When him and my mother were going through a divorce, he beat her with a pistol and stuck it in her mouth. When we called the police on him, they came, shrugged their shoulders and said, "he is in control". Even with my mothers eyes black and blue and bruises all over her body. Cops all stick together. Always! We had a neighbor that was a cop, everyone in the neighborhood knew his wife was cheating on him. One day he blew her face off with his revolver. He claimed he thought it was a burglar. Even with the garage light on when he dropped her. He got off. We all knew he was quilty even my father said so. I once had a neighbor that was a large straping man that use to beat his underage girlfriend. When we called the police on him they took one look at his badge as a prison guard and said, "he is in charge" and did squat for the poor sixteen year old child. Thank goodness for the NAACP! I use to respect cops but now I hate their guts. It never changes because I got a bike ticket just two days ago and after the fat cop wrote the ticket I asked if he was getting overtime in court and he said, "only on my days off, and how do you know this?" I said my father was an excop. Then the slob said, " oh you should have said so..." I respect anybody that respects me, but when the police beat up somebody in custody, even if he was quility of murder with no doubt, they are just as bad as the criminal and need to go to jail right along side him.

MJohnson - This isn't about the ACLU.

Chris - There is nothing hypocritical about conducting an investigation a criminal that is likely guilty. Otherwise cops could do whatever to whoever they think is guilty. Thats not justice.

You're right, it's not about the ACLU. Oops. Oh well. ACLU, NAACP, CAIR. Really, makes no damn difference to me. All NGO's with lousy political agendas.

Ironic thing around the Boston area is that the black community is claiming that Esteban Carpio is NOT a black man....so why would the NAA(L)CP give a shit about him? Me thinks they're trying to increase their membership to include non-black people as well. Another note is that apparently was a METCO student in Weston (for those not in the area, METCO is a program to bus inner-city students out to suburban schools). THIS is the reason that the suburban parents no longer want METCO thugs brought into the schools they pay high property taxes to support.

As for the cops...I don't blame them for any street justice doled out (they ARE human afterall), but I DO hold them accountable for any wrongdoing on their part.

As for this thug....I surely hope the courts can separate any physical beatings he recieved AFTER becoming a COP KILLER from the act that made him a COP KILLER. Try him for the murder....AND the crime he was being questioned about (I believe it was the stabbing of an 80-something year old woman)...convict his ass and send him away for life without parole. Charge any cops that played a hand in the post-beating and if they are found guilty of a crime....deal with them according to the law. If he then wants to sue the city....let him (from prison), but any moneys received will never be touched by him.

The real story: the cops were so pissed at the man for the stabbing of the elderly woman that they were being too rough on the guy, specially the cop that was questioning him... probably de defendant was fearing for his life and shot the cop. Then the cops were even more pissed that they beat the shit of the guy and blame the scary face to a fall from the third floor. Now the guy is even crazier and they teat him like shit and has to defend himself of just take revenge. Comeon guys, we know about the good and bad side of police enforcing! haven't you forgotten Rodney King? or the other cases that were documented with video? now, think about how many of those situations are not captured on video; this is one of them. You guys think too much with the heart and not much with the brain; wake up!!!

.....and Mark's "evidence" to back up his baseless claims of "The Real Story"....is what?

Evidently, Mark doesn't believe in the rule of law. The "thug" is innocent and the cops are guilty...guilty...guilty.

I remember Rodney King very well.....I remember him driving over 100 mph through the streets hopped up on PCP....resisting arrest...and THEN getting beat by the cops. Some people only remember the beating.

Gotta amend what I said to read "The 'thug' was just defending himself when he executed the cop that deserved it...."

I am surprised at you all. If there is one thing our great country prides itself upon, it is the rule of law, and the fundamental fairness provided by our rare system of justice. To witness innuendo that approves of vigilante behavior - it is unbecoming of people who call themselves Americans. A man behaves like an animal, killing an officer of the law and a father. For that he is condemned, and surely justice will prevail. But then other officers behave like animals, descending into criminal behavior as well, and for that they are cheered? "Street justice"? The very reason we have peace officers is to stop such violence by upholding the law. That you all would stoop to support vigilantes tarnishes America's honor. Shame on you.

Tell me you didn't just copy/paste that rant from the other thread......that's weak.

And you have no substance ... that seems to be the accepted norm, here. In an internet forum, it is only possible to take people at face value. In the short time I have spent visiting this web site, I have read the things you and the others here have had to say. I walk away having lost the hope that this might be a place for true conservatives - or, that you will ever respond to the meaning and merit of the challenges presented by other commentators, such as I. You are that most forlorn type of human, a man with a closed mind. Your days will be lonely. If there is one thing I do not tolerate, it is people who do not uphold the values to which they pledge allegiance. As a Goldwater conservative, I am astounded when I find "conservatives" who refuse to think. I leave you with this appropriate quote: "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." Farewell.

I feel so....so saddened by your leaving such a positive rant about me, knowing nothing about me, of course. I'll leave you with the last thing my grandfather said to his doctor: "Kiss my ass."