SHOOTING: Don't judge just yet

I’m commenting on the shooting that took place a few weeks ago that resulted in the death of Eric Johnston. I’ve read letters to The Press from the residents in Coeur d’Alene and how they support the decision that the officer made that day, how what the officer did was right and justified. All short of celebration of officer appreciation month. Not so fast!

The shooting is still under investigation and while those of you who back up the officer who pulled the trigger are entitled to your opinions, who then will you support should Idaho State Police determine the officer was wrong?

There will always be two sides to a coin. In my opinion the officer was wrong. Why five bullets? I mean really, what message are we sending here? Has anyone heard of cruel and unusual punishment? The Eighth Amendment covers this, and as I recall Eric was a citizen of this community. While DUI offenses can be fatal and are serious offenses, I don’t think they’re punishable by death.

Ask yourself this: Did Eric physically harm anyone? Other than himself, whom did he threaten? Anyone who ever knew Eric will have different views as opposed to those who didn’t know him. And to those who did, my heart goes out to you.

But if Eric had been anyone else’s brother, friend, cousin, etc… I’m betting those of you who disagree with me would sing a different tune.

I don’t think justice was really served or protected. I’d like to point out that sometimes police, courts have been wrong. And for Victoria Foute’s letter dated Sept. 6, it’s happened and I fully agree and empathize! There have been men who have sat on death row (for years) for crimes they didn’t do (John Grisham’s “The Innocent Man” — true story).

This isn’t to say that police aren’t dedicated and don’t put their lives on the line for us. They do. I’m keeping an open mind on this situation. But when police officers make bad judgment calls, in this case killing a man to prevent him from killing himself… I don’t see any reasoning in that decision.

JOSHUA BRADLEY

Coeur d’Alene