BitaTruble
Posts: 9779
Joined: 1/12/2006 From: Texas Status: offline
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Okay, if I were sitting on a jury, the driver of the ambulance pulled over as soon as he was physical able. He did yield as soon as it was safe to do so and again as soon as the cop car pulled up behind him. I noticed that even then, it took the ambulance just a wee bit longer to come to a complete stop. As far as whether or not he did some sort of 'gesture' as the cop exclaimed is unknown, but giving the benefit of the doubt to the driver, I would make the assumption that, like most drivers in the Southern regions, he was simply acknowledging the cop car and set about with his compliance to yield. My verdit for a failure to yeild ticket for the driver? Not guilty. The paramedic got out of the back of the ambulance and tried to take command of the situation. He failed to follow the instruction of the cop to return to the vehicle, and when the cop told the driver to go up to the front, he did say 'no' to the driver and put out a hand to restrain the driver from compliance .. that's obstruction. Count 1. The paramedic when told he was under arrest from the other video, and he pulled away - that was resisting. Count 2 The cop was aggressive from what he preceived was a 'hand gesture' and failure to yield, and when he leaves the squad car, the back door opens and this big guy gets out as though he has the authority in the situation over the driver but it's a traffic stop, they aren't on code and if he'd have just gotten his happy ass back into the ambulance, let the driver get the ticket, they'd have been on their way to the hospital. I think the size of the paramedic may have intimidated the cop a bit so it tweaked his own testosterone even more than it already was .. then the guy didn't comply with his instruction to get his ass back in the ambulance. The paramedic expressed that he was not going to comply until they got their patient to the hospital. But for the paramedics decision not to comply, none of the rest of what happened would have taken place. The cop probably would have just issued the citation and nothing would have been blown out of proportion. The cop acted like an ass but that's not against the law. The paramedic acted like as ass which is not againt the law but when you fail to comply, when you obstruct, when you resist.. those 'are' against the law. Count 1, obstruction - guilty Count 2, resisting - guilty That said, I'd want that paramedic back on the streets to come pick me up if I were ever in need because his patient was his first priority and I really liked that. He did break the law .. he'll need to pay for the consequence of that. The price should not be too heavy though. Slap on the wrist will do. Small fine, court costs, 48 hours jail time - suspended. If I were the paramedic, I'd plead out and go back to work. As for the cop .. anger management classes, a slap on his wrist and desk duty until he successfully completes anger management courses. That's my verdict and sentence. Judge Bita
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"Oh, so it's just like Rock, paper, scissors." He laughed. "You are the wisest woman I know."
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