MARKHAM, Ill.—Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial of a suburban Chicago police officer accused of acting recklessly by fatally shooting a 95-year-old World War II veteran with a beanbag gun at close range in an effort to subdue him. Several uniformed officers turned up at the courthouse in south suburban Markham to show their support for Park Forest police officer Craig Taylor, who is charged with felony reckless conduct in the 2013 killing of John Wrana. The case has fueled debate about police tactics at a time when police departments around the country have come under increased scrutiny over the use of deadly force. Police officials have said Taylor had no choice but to act as he did. Taylor, 43, was one of several officers who were dispatched to the assisted living facility where Wrana lived on July 26, 2013, after a staff member reported that Wrana had become combative with emergency workers trying to care for him. According to court documents, when the officers entered his room they saw Wrana holding a long metal object that officers believed was a knife or machete, but was actually a shoe horn. Wrana did pick up a knife and threaten the officers with it, and he refused their orders to drop it Because this is a Black Police Officer there is nothing in the news. If your going to play the race card play both sides. The man had a cane ,a nursing home resident. How hard could it be ? They also had a shield that they could have used to press against the wall.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 22:18:57 +0000
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