In Arizona, ex-Mesa officer Philip Mitchell Brailsford was acquitted for criminal liability in the death of Daniel Shaver, according to a report by the Guardian. In the video, Officer Brailsford barks orders at a disoriented and intoxicated (yet compliant) Shaver, tells him to lie on the ground, and tells him to cross his legs in a specific way. Shaver is accompanied by an acquaintance, Monique Portillo, who came out into the hallway when police told her to do so.
Brailsford defense
The defense argues that Officer Brailsford fired because he felt that Shaver was an imminent threat to his safety, despite the fact that Shaver was unarmed.
According to The Guardian, the detective overseeing the case agreed that Shaver's movements may have resembled someone reaching for a gun, but also, that he may have simply been pulling up his shorts. He also added that there was little reason why the police couldn't have handcuffed him while he was lying on the ground.
The Mesa police department decided to fire Brailsford later that month, citing policy violations and unsatisfactory performance. Some have argued that Brailsford's rifle, which had the words, "You're fu**ed" engraved on it, demonstrated ulterior motives to being a police officer that were more than simply serving and protecting the community.
Responses to verdict
Many have expressed dismay at the killing and subsequent verdict, arguing that the body cameras clearly show an instance not only of police brutality, but of cold-blooded murder.
ICYMI: Disturbing Video - This officer murdered an unarmed, unaggressive, sobbing man in cold blood and walked Scott Free. #danielshaver #danielshavervideo pic.twitter.com/Isa3amvcMd
— Tim Black ™ (@RealTimBlack) December 11, 2017
The Shaver case and verdict coincide with an ongoing American conversation about the role of police in American life, and their increasing militarization.
The president, for instance, has routinely emphasized being tough on crime, and egged on police action and violence at his rallies during the 2016 presidential race.
Not all of the comments about the Shaver incident are negative, though.
Anytime you encounter a police officer with his/her gun drawn, understand that they WILL kill you if they feel threatened; the decisions you make in that moment can be life saving. Daniel Shaver did not obey every order and he paid for it. It's tragic, but it was on him.
— Brendan (@brentweeted) December 11, 2017
"It's tragic, but it was on him," one Twitter user said.
Daniel Shaver
The family considers the acquittal of Philip Brailsford a miscarriage of justice. The Guardian says that Laney and Shaver's parents have filed a wrongful death suit. His wife, Laney, began a GoFundMe fundraiser back in January 2016, aimed at covering life expenses and upcoming court battles. According to Laney's GoFundMe page, she was eight months pregnant at the time of the shooting. On her GoFundMe page, she wrote: "He was my best friend. The love of my life...The glue that held me together."
