Patrick G. Geckle LLC

Ex-Officers Sentenced for Post-Katrina Shootings

In the chaos that ensued after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one of the worst examples of police misconduct was the Danziger Bridge shootings, which took place September 4, 2005, and left two dead and four injured at the hands of police officers. To find out more about the recent trial that convicted these officers, read on.

The Events of September 4, 2005

• The Danziger Bridge shootings involved two families who will never be the same again: the Bartholomews and the Madisons. Susan Bartholomew, her husband Leonard, their children Lesha and Leonard, nephew Jose Holmes, and family friend James Brisette were walking to a grocery store when police officers shot at them on the Danziger Bridge. Susan’s arm was blown off; Lesha, Jose, and Leonard Sr. were injured; and James Brisette died. Only Leonard Jr. was able to escape. Officers shot at brothers Ronald and Lance Madison, as well, as they tried to run across the bridge. Ronald was shot in the back and stomped as he lay on the ground, dying as a result, and Lance was arrested.

The Cover-Up

• After the shooting, the police officers fabricated accounts of what had happened, planted evidence, and made up witnesses to corroborate accounts of their innocence. They planned to blame any irregularities in the case on Hurricane Katrina. If not for a federal civil rights probe into the events, the truth might never have been revealed.

The Trial

• Nine men were arrested in the Danziger Bridge shootings and faced federal charges for civil rights violations and gun crimes. Four of them pled guilty to lesser charges and received sentences of less than ten years in exchange for testifying against the other defendants. The four officers who went to trial and were found guilty received sentences of at least 35 years, while an officer involved in the cover-up received six years.

Though the Danziger Bridge shootings are especially heinous examples of police brutality and civil rights violations, similar events happen every day. If you’ve been a victim of such a violation in Philadelphia or South Jersey, call the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle at (267) 234-7708.

Protect Yourself: Tasers and False Arrest

You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence when you’re the victim of police brutality. Check out these resources for more information on improper Taser use and signs that you’ve been wrongfully arrested by police officials. Call the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle at (267) 234-7708 to set up a consultation in Philadelphia or South Jersey. 

• Explore this article from USAToday.com for more information on the reasons why so many individuals are wrongly convicted of crimes each year in the United States.

• This article from The New York Times discusses a case in which the Denver police department made a false arrest on an outstanding warrant for sexual assault. 

• Visit TimesUnion.com for more information on a study examining the misuse of Tasers by police officials.

• Check out this report from the United States Government Accountability Office for more information on the use of Tasers by law enforcement agencies.  

• Did you know that Taser shocks can lead to death? Learn more with this article from CNN.com. 

Signs You May Have Been Wrongfully Arrested

Wrongful arrest, also known as false arrest, is a common law tort in which an individual is arrested or held in police custody without probable cause. While an experienced civil rights attorney can help provide legal representation following an arrest it is important to be able to recognize the signs that you may have been arrested without just cause.

One of the first signs that you were wrongfully arrested is that the arresting officer did not notify you of your Miranda Rights—including your constitutional rights to remain silent and to hire an attorney. It is against the law for police officials to make an arrest without properly notifying the arrestee of his Miranda rights. When this does happen, some of the information gathered from the arrestee can be dismissed and considered unusable in trial. 

Individuals who are detained or held in police custody for exercising their rights of speech outlined by the First Amendment are also considered wrongfully arrested. For example, if an individual is arrested for mouthing off to a police officer, he may have a legitimate case in saying that his civil rights were violated by the arrest.

Additional signs that you were wrongfully arrested include being arrested without probable cause or with an arrest warrant that was obtained with false statements given by a police official. Furthermore, you may have been falsely arrested if the police official made the arrest based on malicious, racial, or personal motives.

Whether you’ve been wrongfully arrested or otherwise violated by the police, the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle can help. We handle cases involving police misconduct, police abuse, and police brutality. For more information on our practice areas contact us at (267) 234-7708. You can also visit us online to set up a consultation with our South Jersey and Philadelphia locations. 

Cops Caught on Tape

How far is too far when it comes to the police’s war on crime? 

This news clip recounts the experiences of the lead singer of a band called O.N.E after he experienced police misconduct first-hand. Michigan’s drug task force entered the lead singer’s private residence while he and his band-mates were recording in his basement recording studio using a search warrant based on an anonymous tip and a marijuana stem supposedly found in the garbage. While searching the home for drugs, police officials seized a number of unrelated property items including the singer’s DVD player, flat-screen TV, and two of his computers—all while discussing what other items they could get away with taking. Get the full story with this video.

Police misconduct is a serious violation that the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle have been fighting for years. If you're located in Philadelphia or South Jersey our team can help you fight back. For more information on filing a lawsuit for police brutality or police misconduct, contact us at (267) 234-7708.

Are You a Taser Victim?

Government officials and law enforcement agencies have turned increasingly towards less-than-lethal weapons over the past several years, with many carrying the Taser—a hand-held weapon designed to deliver an electric shock and incapacitate an individual.

Studies by Taser International Incorporated show that Tasers are used in over 7,000 of the 18,000 United States law enforcement agencies with more than 140,000 Tasers being used by police officials in the field. Even with the establishment of use-of-force policies, operational protocols, and safety procedures, police misconduct and the unlawful use of Taser has been steadily increasing as more of these devices enter the field. 

Police misconduct through the use of Tasers is a growing problem across the nation. A report by the New York Civil Liberties Union demonstrated that a number of police departments across the state, including Albany’s, were guilty of the improper, unwarranted, or poorly documented deployment of electroshock weapons. The report not only stated that police officials used repeated and prolonged Taser shocks but that they disproportionately deployed Tasers on African Americans over white individuals. Furthermore, victims in approximately 75 percent of cases were not verbally warned by the police officer before being shocked.

A single Taser shock may contain up to 50,000 volts of electricity and can often penetrate two inches of clothing. While isolated incidents cause pain and temporary paralysis, repeated or extended Taser shocks can increase the risk of injury and even death. Fortunately, an experienced civil rights attorney can help provide legal representation for individuals who have been injured due to improper Taser use. In many cases, an attorney will aid the victims in gaining compensation for damages, including medical expenses and pain and suffering.

The police abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Patrick Geckle are experienced in a number of practice areas, including the injuries due to the excessive use of Tasers, police assault, and abuse by prison guards. Get the representation you need in Philadelphia or South Jersey by contacting us at (267) 234-7708 or set up an initial consultation by visiting our website.