Cops Not Showing Up For Mineo Trial

I have been following rather closely, and yes, attending a few days of trial of the Mineo case and noticed the same thing--there aren't many uniformed cops there in support of their fellow brothers on trial. The author in this Times piece hints at the fact that it may have to do with the type of crime that the officers are alleged of doing. I personally think it has to do with verifiable witnesses and cameras. It's easy to come to the defense of your fellow officer in the case of Diallo as one could argue that they were going on a description and Diallo reaches for what could have been a weapon. Of course, there was no reason for him to be shot over three dozen times. However, it is not so easy to come to your fellow officers' defense when the suspect's DNA is on the baton that was allegedly used to sodomize him. It is also harder when there are other witnesses who describe the scene in fairly descriptive detail and no one really refutes it.

This case like others before it is just an all too familiar reminder that police misconduct against average citizens of ALL races is a problem. Yes, a disproportionate amount of those are minorities but police misconduct knows no color.

My only hope for this case is that Mr. Mineo will take his city settlement and continue to try to be a productive member of society. As a former social worker, it can be done.