A NEW FORM OF EUTHANASIA: POLICE-ASSISTED SUICIDES IN VENTURA COUNTY

Memphis Plan?  We don't need no stinkin' Memphis Plan!

In Amnesty International's 1999 Update on Police Brutality, a high rate of negligent shootings by Ventura police was reported.  Most interesting, it was found that Ventura County had a greater rate of negligent shootings by their officers of suicidal individuals than any other county in California.  As a result, Ventura County told Amnesty International that it would implement the "Memphis Plan", whereby regular officers would be selected and trained by mental health professionals to form 24-hour crisis response teams.

But has this plan been implemented?  A closer look indicates that Ventura police officers are still unable to properly handle situations involving highly emotional or suicidal individuals.

1. Reported by the Los Angeles Times, 5/16/01 - Father Anthony Morales, 52, and son Chad, 26, Latino-Americans, were in a heated argument outside a wedding reception at the Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial Building in Ventura County.  A Ventura County officer mistakenly believed that Morales pointed a gun at him and shot Morales in the back.  Dirmann, Tina, "Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Sued Over Shooting at Party."



2. Reported by the Los Angeles Times, 9/6/01 - 23-year-old Robert Lee Jones, an African-American, was shot by Ventura County Police when he was attempting suicide with a 13-inch knife in his own home.  Officers alleged that their lives were in danger because Jones moved towards them with the knife.   The mother, however, claimed Jones was pursued by the police after attempting to hide in his own closet.   This was the forth shooting of a suicidal individual in Ventura County that year.   The article also stated that most Ventura County officers received only a few hours of training on arresting emotionally-disturbed suspects.  But critics say the officers only needed common sense in dealing with Jones.   Kelley, Daryl, "Ventura County Father Files Suit in Killing by Police Oxnard: The parent of a man who was shot to death while hiding in his bedroom closet seeks $50 million.  "



3. Reported by the Los Angeles Times, 9/23/01 - Neil Skipwith, on his way to Church with his 15-year-old deaf and mentally handicapped son, was stopped by police and ended up face down on a pavement with a knee in his back and wrists cuffed together.   The 15-year-old handicapped boy was hysterical and signaled wildly for explanation.   Twelve officers drew their guns.   The family was later released, and a top police official later called him to explain that the officers mistakenly thought their car was stolen.   Kelley, Daryl, "Ventura County Couple Tell of Fear During Police Stop".  



4. Reported by the Los Angeles Times 10/15/01 - Ventura officer shot and killed man whose 8-year-old son had called the police as his parents argued.   Officer mistakenly thought the man reached for a gun.   Kelley, Daryl, "Attorney for Police a Kindred Spirit Courts: Ex-cop has become the lawyer Ventura County officers turn to most often.  "



5. Reported by the Los Angeles Times 10/23/01 - Ventura County officers killed drunk 21-year-old at a college party by putting him in a headlock, dousing him with pepper spray, and striking him with a flashlight at least three times.   The student died of extensive head injuries.   Cops were not charged in the slaying.   "Meiners Oaks Court Rejects Appeal in Man's Death at Party".  



6. 5/5/2002 - Fourteen-year-old Anna Guo was shot three times by rookie Ventura officer Kristin Rupp while attempting suicide with a 6-inch steak knife.   The officer contends that she perceived a threat when the girl, barely five-feet tall, allegedly approached her with the steak knife.   The shots took place while the officer stood over 20 feet away.   The third shot took place after Anna was already on the ground.   Anna surprisingly lived and is now charged with felony assault against the very officer who nearly killed her.   Anna's trial begins on December 16, 2002.