As long as police officers evade justice, a large part of the public will feel that citizens, too, no matter the magnitude of their crime should be let off the hook.
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It’s quite possible that Mr. Bill Cosby, an American comedian, actor and philanthropist, is a serial rapist who has evaded justice, via his celebrity, for many years.
And, with equal possibility, Mr. Cosby, who often reiterates his innocence, will face jail time after a Montgomery Country District Attorney announced he will be charged with a felony (aggravated sexual assault) in the first degree for an incident that is alleged to have happened at his home 12 years ago, and which involved a former Temple University employee, Ms. Andrea Constand, who now lives in Canada.
For some, today’s announcement is a sign that justice may be approaching.
For others, it’s a farce, considering that just this week a Grand Jury choose not to indict Mr. Timothy Loehmann, the reckless former Cleveland cop who killed 12-year-old Mr. Tamir Rice within seconds of his arrival to the snow covered park where Mr. Rice was playing with a toy gun.
Mr. Cosby can be charged with a crime, but not a cop who wasn’t fit to serve in the first place?
That’s what many people, in their own words, posted on social media following this morning’s press conference where the country also learned that an arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Cosby, who’s expected to be arraigned later in the day.
I personally think the issues are separate, and, in terms of the law, Mr. Loehmann was overcharged by Mr. Timothy J. McGinty, an Ohio prosecutor: there’s no way to prove Mr. Loehmann, a white man, woke up that October 2014 morning with the intent to kill Mr. Rice, a black boy.
However, there may be – as a result of Mr. Cosby’s own admission that he purchased Quaaludes to give to women he wanted to have sex with – a good chance prosecutors can prove intent.
But what’s at stake now, beyond Mr. Cosby’s future, is the sanctity of the American criminal justice system and whether or not it can ever be trusted to pursue citizens fairly when cops seem to have the proverbial get-out-off-jail-free card.
Moreover, as long as police officers evade justice, a large part of the public will feel that citizens, too, no matter the magnitude of their crime should be let off the hook.
What we, as Americans, then end up with is lawlessness, and that would serve no one well.
If Mr. Cosby violated Ms. Constand in 2004, he deserves to stand trial and be held accountable. He shouldn’t be off-limits simply because Mr. Rice’s killer, or any bad cop, was set free: two wrongs don’t make a right.
All Americans must see it as their duty put effort towards repairing a broken criminal justice system, not just lamenting of its faults.
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Keep a look out in January 2016 for a NPR Music documentary starring Grammy Award-Winner Mr. Christian McBride and co-starring Mr. Christopher “Flood the Drummer” Norris.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
It certainly isn’t just cops. Look at this administration who for 8 years has thumbed its nose at the laws we have an the books. Do you not think this attitude has affected society in the same way? That if they can ignore it and get away with it then why can’t I? This is a pervasive issue throughout our current times. I don’t see it getting much better soon.