Charged w/ murder found 'NOT GUILTY' SelfDefense Video Incl.

[Guest President Fernatt]

This has probably been posted before, but this is my first time seeing or hearing about this case and I'm guessing there are fellow TGO'ers who aren't aware of it either:

From LiveLeak.com -

Cortez Waller, who was accused of of murder in the second degree following the shooting of Christopher Childress outside the Conway Police Department, was found not guilty. Waller was also acquitted of the charge of aggravated assault of Lana Peterson. Following the verdict, deputy prosecutor Angela Byrd resigned her position. Byrd was the lead prosecutor in the case against Waller. The shooting occurred on July 15, 2010 when Childress was shot multiple times with a .45 caliber handgun outside the police station.

According to Conway police, Childress followed Waller in his vehicle through the city and eventually to the police station. A confrontation occured and shots were fired. Waller (the shooter) ran into the police station and was arrested immediately following the incident.Officials said the disturbance stemmed from a relationship between Waller and Childress’ fiancee, DeRanda Carter. Police received conflicting information as to when that relationship ended. The jury’s verdict came a few hours after emergency personnel were called to the courthouse to treat Waller, who collapsed while waiting for the jury to decide his fate. A close family friend said Waller had not been able to eat anything in days and was reacting to the stress of the situation.

When the verdict was announced, Carter sobbed openly and could be heard sobbing as she was escorted from the courtroom. Childress’s mother shook her head in disbelief as Waller walked past her to his family and exited the courtroom. “It was a case that was on video, yet as the facts and circumstances prior to the event unfolded, it obviously became clear to the jury that Cortez was justified in his actions,†said Frank Shaw, Waller’s attorney. “Every person as the right to defend himself.

This jury has reaffirmed this principle. This is what we hoped for and plead this case for. This verdict is what [Waller attorney] Bill Luppen and I personally believed would be the right result.†When asked if Byrd’s resignation was the result of losing the Waller case, Cody Hiland, 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney said, “I wouldn’t think so.â€

Link to video of shooting: http://www.liveleak....=86e_1332424913

- I think he was totally correct in defending himself. The vehicle was chasing him through town...the shooter then tried to get away but the chase vehicle attempted to block him in. The shooter was cornered in and the driver of the chase vehicle charged him aggressively. I can't say if I would have shot or fought with the aggressor but I will not question the shooter's judgement. I think he felt his life was in danger and acted appropriately. -Prez

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Didn't know about this one. Glad to see it justified.

How many cops does it take to take down a suspect trying to surrender?

It looked a bit like overkill in that video.

[Guest President Fernatt]

Didn't know about this one. Glad to see it justified.

How many cops does it take to take down a suspect trying to surrender?

It looked a bit like overkill in that video.

Well, knowing the situation...it was overkill. However, if I was a LEO, heard shots, came around the corner to see a guy bleeding on the ground, and then found out that the shooter just ran into the station where all my hypothetical police family was working...I would DEFINITELY take that person down hard. Later, I would figure out details.

But yeah, I agree, it was clearly self-defense.

[Guest Grubbah]

The guy was obviously trying to flee first, he even went so far as to flee *TO* the police station. You'd think that the aggressor would give it up when they were at the police station. But, he kept coming. The other guy aggressively pursued him, cornered him, and came after him. 100% justified and I'm glad the jury decided so as well.

In hindsight its easy to look at the police reaction and call it overkill. But at that point in time, all they know is there has been a shooting and the suspected shooter is now IN the police station and they dont know what exactly his intentions are. They had to secure the scene first and ask questions later, to do anything else would have been poor judgement. What if this guy was some crazed lunatic?

With the whole thing being caught on film, I cant see why charges were even filed. I've watched the video multiple times and I can come to no conclusion other than fully justified. The man was obviously trying to avoid the confrontation and only when cornered and facing imminent danger did he use force. The waste of taxpayer dollars to even put the guy on trial is a shame in my opinion.

[Guest drv2fst]

What a perfect example. This victim literally drove to a police station, and still the police were not able to protect him. It was up to him to protect himself.

In CNN coverage of the recent "stand your ground" shooting, a CNN panelist made a statement that citizens don't need to carry guns, because we have cops for that. This is a perfect example of how flawed that theory is. Police cannot protect you even if you get your attacker to come to the police station to attack you.

No one can protect you from an imminent attact unless they are shoulder to should with you. I like our local cops but I dont want to live with one at my elbow 24/7.

I'm sorry this person had to shoot someone. I'm sorry someone had to get shot. But I'm thankful for the perfect example (on video too) of why we need our own personal protection.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I am, too. It turned out okay, but I just thought the suspect already on the ground and trying

to surrender was a clue to anyone. I'm not trashing those cops. They were probably excited

as hell at the situation. The important thing turned out right. All that matters.

[daddyo]

How many cops does it take to take down a suspect trying to surrender?

It looked a bit like overkill in that video.

That's exactly what I was thinking when cops #3 & #4 come out to "assist", and then even more after that. Plus, they apparently didn't understand that a door won't open when something is immediately on the other side blocking it. Geez.

Must've been a slow day at the precinct.

[TripleDigitRide]

No piece of tail is worth dying for. He deserved to die.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The article said, "Waller was also acquitted of the charge of aggravated assault of Lana Peterson". Was Lana Peterson the woman who apparently was riding in the SUV with Childress and jumped out and got involved after Childress was shot?

Not that it really matters, but if somebody knows-- It looks like the woman gets out of the SUV but maybe she came from the other side of the street. Can't tell from the video. If I happened to be standing on the street and then two cars screech to a halt and then there is a shooting-- I wouldn't go running up to get involved. I would almost certainly head the opposite direction.

Just curious. If that is Lana Peterson, and she was riding with Childress, then what was that about? Was she riding shotgun on a vendetta persuit? Or maybe she just thought they were going to walmart and things got out of hand? Enquiring minds want to know.

[shortround]

Yes, it was Peterson who was in the car with him. I believe both parties claimed that the other was the one that was following them, but we know what is on the video.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

What I would love to know is about the ADA Byrd and her resignation after the verdict went down.

Background on that might be interesting. Good to know the shooter had a good defense lawyer.

Just some "rest of the story" stuff might make for some political hay. There was a lot of that in the

"Duke Lacrosse Team" trial. Politically charged trials happen every day. Glad this trial didn't

turn into a media circus.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Yes, it was Peterson who was in the car with him. I believe both parties claimed that the other was the one that was following them, but we know what is on the video.

Thanks Shortround!

[SonnyCrockett]

no media frenzy?

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3&fb_source=message#/video/crime/2012/03/22/pkg-kaye-dooley-stand-ground-fl.cnn

Our Media is nothing but a gross disgusting biased mess

Edited March 25, 2012 by SonnyCrockett

[Guest LonaPete]

Thanks Shortround!

[Guest LonaPete]

Lona Peterson was in the white Lexus. She did not know any party involved before the incident.

[broox]

Two years old

[Guest LonaPete]

Two years old

[Guest LonaPete]

I'm sorry if my late reply is innappropriate. It's the anniversary of the shooting and I was searching online...I just stumbled upon this thread. I felt the need to clarify.