Chief Sizer calls the death a “tragedy” and points to the medical examiner’s bizarre “accident” ruling. District Attorney’s office makes sure to point out (pdf) that grand jury heard evidence of Chasse’s mental health problems. KGW coverage and Portland Mercury discussion and Metroblogging Portland item.
According to KGW, Sizer said that internal affairs would examine policies regarding police action and training — a diversionary remark I told people to watch out for.
Addendum: Listening to the press conference, apparently the reason they needed to have three cops jump on top of Chasse (which, of course, likely is when most of the damage to nearly his entire ribcage would have happened) was because they were becoming “exhausted”.
Addendum: “We are encouraged that the Mayor and the Chief are pledging to improve the way the mental health and law enforcement communities work together,” reads, in part, a statement from Portland Copwatch. “However, we hope that they do not divert attention from the fact that James Chasse did not die because he suffered from mental illness, he died because police officers beat him so severely they fractured 16 of his ribs and splintered pieces of his ribs punctured his lungs.”
Meanwhile, a memorial vigil for Chasse will be held the evening of October 27.
Addendum: Over in the above-linked Metblogs thread, a reader who tends towards giving police the benefit of the doubt says this: “I am beginning to believe there is something systemically wrong with the Portland Police Department.”
Yes, and it’s something no amount of the new round of anguished handwringing over “training” can address. Our cops have a fightening lack of basic common sense.
