Closing Arguments in Police Abuse Trial
by TChris
Three former Oakland police officers, charged with 15 felonies growing out of accusations that they "beat and framed suspected drug dealers in West Oakland in the summer of 2000," are relying on a familiar defense: the prosecution witnesses were just saying what the government wanted to hear.
In the second week of closing arguments in the Alameda County Superior Court trial of the former officers, who were reportedly nicknamed "The Riders" by bitter West Oakland residents who despised their aggressive tactics, attorney Michael Rains alleged that witnesses were eager to please the prosecutors in the case and their theme was, "If it hurts the D.A., we'll change what we say."
In this case, the defense requires ex-officers to portray other ex-officers as liars. That might be more difficult than discrediting the alleged abuse victims who participated in a lawsuit against Oakland.
The city of Oakland paid $10.9 million to settle a civil suit filed on behalf of 119 people who claimed to have suffered at the hands of the Riders. "It was the great Oakland giveaway," Rains said, contending accusers embellished or lied because nastier stories translated into a bigger payout from the city. "The great lottery with Oakland taxpayer money, that is what this is about."
This is the second trial in the case. The first trial ended with acquittals on eight counts and a hung jury on the remaining 27. Closing arguments are now in their fifth day.
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