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Log inAG: Police justified in fatal shooting
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AG: Police justified in fatal shooting
by Outspoken on Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:29 am
AG: Police justified in fatal shooting
South Portland officers fired when a suicidal man with two knives advanced toward two other officers.
By DAVID HENCH
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Two South Portland police officers were legally justified when they fatally shot a suicidal man as he advanced, a knife in each hand, toward other officers stationed in his driveway, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Maine Attorney General's Office.
One of the shots hit Michael S. Norton in the neck and jaw, killing the 29-year-old chief financial officer of a small Westbrook health care company.
Despite the determination that deadly force was justified, Norton's family plans to consider a claim against the city, said their lawyer, Dr. Owen Pickus.
"Based on the evidence we have seen, including video and eyewitness testimony, there is definitely a reason for the family to pursue further legal action," Pickus said, although he noted that he has not been given a copy of the report. Now that the attorney general's review is complete, the family can have access to the evidence collected to make a decision about a civil rights complaint in U.S. District Court, Pickus said.
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins said he expects his department's internal affairs investigation to be completed by the end of the week. The review is looking at whether policies were followed and whether any changes in training or policy need to be adopted.
"Our heart goes out to the family. That is not the outcome we were hoping for that evening," Googins said. "We do understand the outcome of the investigation is important. We feel our actions were proper."
The attorney general's investigation concludes that Officers Benjamin Macisso and John Sutton were legally justified in using deadly force against Norton after a three-hour standoff on Aug. 25 at his home at 745 Main St. Under Maine law, an officer is justified in using deadly force for self-protection or the protection of someone else.
Macisso and Sutton returned to work in late October after Googins determined that they were fit for duty and that there were no obvious violations of law or policy.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=222777&ac=PHnws
2008 Press Herald file
South Portland officers fired when a suicidal man with two knives advanced toward two other officers.
By DAVID HENCH
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Two South Portland police officers were legally justified when they fatally shot a suicidal man as he advanced, a knife in each hand, toward other officers stationed in his driveway, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Maine Attorney General's Office.
One of the shots hit Michael S. Norton in the neck and jaw, killing the 29-year-old chief financial officer of a small Westbrook health care company.
Despite the determination that deadly force was justified, Norton's family plans to consider a claim against the city, said their lawyer, Dr. Owen Pickus.
"Based on the evidence we have seen, including video and eyewitness testimony, there is definitely a reason for the family to pursue further legal action," Pickus said, although he noted that he has not been given a copy of the report. Now that the attorney general's review is complete, the family can have access to the evidence collected to make a decision about a civil rights complaint in U.S. District Court, Pickus said.
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins said he expects his department's internal affairs investigation to be completed by the end of the week. The review is looking at whether policies were followed and whether any changes in training or policy need to be adopted.
"Our heart goes out to the family. That is not the outcome we were hoping for that evening," Googins said. "We do understand the outcome of the investigation is important. We feel our actions were proper."
The attorney general's investigation concludes that Officers Benjamin Macisso and John Sutton were legally justified in using deadly force against Norton after a three-hour standoff on Aug. 25 at his home at 745 Main St. Under Maine law, an officer is justified in using deadly force for self-protection or the protection of someone else.
Macisso and Sutton returned to work in late October after Googins determined that they were fit for duty and that there were no obvious violations of law or policy.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=222777&ac=PHnws
2008 Press Herald file
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
