USA: how to get time for a murder you did not commit
Against the U.S. policeman shot dead an armed robber, not to press any charges. Instead, the court recognized the killer of a teenager, which nobody was shot. How this was possible?
Against the U.S. policeman shot dead an armed robber, was not Vidnoe any charges. Instead, the court recognized the killer of a teenager, which nobody was shot. How this was possible?
In many States there are so-called “laws on the liability of accomplices”.
.@DougJones with whatever influence you have, you REALLY need to address the accomplice laws in your state, and bring proper justice for #LakeithSmith. https://t.co/KxbVJNIdbc
— Eric Barry (@EricBarry) 7 APR 2018
Lakit Smith was arrested in 2015
Lakitu Smith was 15 when he and four of his older friends had engaged in looting. In one not too happy for them the day they broke into the house in the town of Millbrook, Alabama. They noticed a neighbor, who called the police.
The outfit arrived just at the moment when the teenagers left the house. Seeing the police, juvenile robbers turned around and tried to escape through the garden. Shooting began. One of the bullets hit the neck of 16-year-old A Donte Washington, why he died on the spot.
No one denies that A Donte Washington was shot and killed by a police officer — his lapel camera captures everything that happens. The Grand jury decided not to bring the gunman to a policeman no charges, admitting that he acted within the law.
Instead, charged with the murder of his friend was charged Lakitu Smith. The court found him guilty, and last week he was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
Teenager #LakeithSmith is sentenced to 65 years in prison for the death of his friend whom was shot and killed by an Alabama police officer. https://t.co/undxrcGA06 pic.twitter.com/SORGj5tRGf
— Okayplayer (@okayplayer) 9 APR 2018
According to the law on the liability of accomplices, Smith is considered as guilty of murder as if he pulled the trigger.
I think it’s very sad. Because the cause of death were the actions of the police.Jennifer Holtendorf Lacetti Smith
Alabama is no exception. Laws that criminalize murder in the Commission of serious crimes to aggravated murder, widespread in the United States. Only seven States do not have laws that criminalize involuntary manslaughter during the Commission of the crime to premeditated murder.
In the remaining 43 States of murder with aggravating circumstances put forward the accomplices who did not intend to kill anyone, but was involved in a crime prior to the death of a person.
Although such a practice is rooted in English common law, today it is rarely used outside the United States.