Comments on: TABC report finds 19 policy violations by agents, supervisor in Rainbow Lounge raid

By: Texas Drinking Problem Gets Worse

Texas Drinking Problem Gets Worse — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:45:19 +0000

[...] injuries to patrons, including at least one cracked head. Public outrage over the police’s extralegal, extra-hamfisted tactics extended way beyond the area’s gays and lesbians—at one point, [...]

By: fantum

fantum — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:48:12 +0000

Pro Police is missing his Birther and Teabag Meeting.

By: billy

billy — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:18:24 +0000

PPS,
Agent Aller stated he took Gibson’s right hand and led him up against the wall (one has to laugh at this mild discription) several witnesses saw Aller slam him against the wall. Aller then states Chapman & Jenson came to assist and he was taken to the ground, Witnesses state he was slammed to the floor & his head hit the step. As for being slammed to the ground outside, no one has said that… you must have made it up.
As for lawsuits, the TABC, FWPD & FBI will most likely not get any statements or evidence outside their own people at this time because any good trial lawyer will withhold that information until they file papers in court. In addition, lawsuits do not have to be criminal, only cival, i.e., the TABC resports states that agents failed to report use of force which makes them liable for Gibson’s care, ergo negligence. If later deemed excessive force, criminal.
Finally, as far as things floating around, the State Attorney’s Office is simply not going to give a rubber stamp of approval on internal investigations. They don’t like the idea of law inforcement personel going balistic and will wait until all information is in, then if any Federal laws have been broken will file their own indictments.

By: Pro Police

Pro Police — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:47:07 +0000

Lawsuit for what, exactly? The TABC release outlines policy issues, not criminal ones. The US Attorney’s Office told the FW City Council to go fly a kite, citing the fact that they have no reason to investigate and no jurisdiction to review. The FBI has said, several times now, that no evidence or credible statements have been brought forward to substantiate an investigation into civil rights violations. Oh, wait. You’re still going to allege excessive force. I’m intrigued as to what the TABC and FW reports will say about that, because it’s already been floating around – and I’ve heard that a few reporters are trying to confirm – that outside experts (as in not affiliated with either police department) have found no credibly evidence that the use of force involved was excessive. So if – and I hope when – that comes out, what are you going to complain on next? I’m laughing as I picture someone trotting a lawsuit up the courthouse steps alleging infringement of rights because some cop was wearing the wrong shirt.

And Billy, riddle me this. Some witnesses say Chad’s head was slammed to the floor on the concrete by the bathroom inside the bar. Other witnesses say he was slammed to the ground outside the bar in the parking lot. Still others yet say he was slammed against the wall, causing his head injury. How do you reconcile that?

By: Jerry McGuire

Jerry McGuire — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:54:34 +0000

THANK YOU DALLAS VOICE FOR BEING SO INFORMATIVE.

By: billy

billy — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:42:38 +0000

After reading the TABC report there are several points that should be brought up, but one for sure is Chad’s injury. Aller & Chapman both state they observed no injury inside the bar, but after Chad fell outside noticed a “goose egg” on Chad’s forehead. Well anyone that knows anything about head injuries, the body’s response time is about 10 to 15 minutes to produce this kind of swelling. Using the reports own time frame would suggest that the head injury did in fact occur inside the bar as wittnesses have stated. Since it takes a little bit of time for symptoms of serious head injuries to develope, (swelling, vomitting, slured speech, dizziness, etc.) you’re suppose to keep a close watch on the individual for some time. I’m incline to go with witnesses account of his head being slamed into the concrete step at the bathroom. Also, I believe the injury was at the upper part of the forehead so I don’t see how a fall in the parking lot could reach that point, but the step at the bathroom would.

By: Hal Wallace III

Hal Wallace III — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:14:12 +0000

I hope everybody involved brings a lawsuit against the TABC and The Fort Worth Police Department, lets all hope the individuals with both orginizations will be tried as criminals as well.

This matter is far from over.

I dont think they will release the memos, because this matter is sure to bring civil litigation.

By: Steve Friday

Steve Friday — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:19:08 +0000

@ KRIS Martin-

I Emailed John Wright a couple of days ago about two memos being withheld from the OPR release.
A couple of weeks ago the General Counsel for the TABC requested an opinion from the TX AGs Office about whether these two memos were subject to public disclosure or were exempt as privileged communication. The memos were described as written “outlining the events of the evening in question.”
A couple of days ago the TX AGs Office said the memos were covered under the Public Information Act. Now this report is released obviously without them.
Whereas it’s likely the memos will appear if there is civil litigation , I(’d bet that’s why they were withheld), can someone at the Voice look into it further?

By: Box Turtle Bulletin » Rainbow Lounge Investigation Reveals 19 State Policy Violations

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:35:45 +0000

[...] supervisor committed a total of 19 policy violations during that raid. The Dallas Voice has the details: Violations committed by the two agents include participating in a joint operation with Fort Worth [...]

By: Lil' Carl

Lil' Carl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:27:32 +0000

It’s progress, however it’s still not making this situation go away anytime soon. I’m eager to hear what Chief Halstead has to say in Fort Worth. They have been quiet for a while now… tick tock… tick tock….