Hitskin.com

Uh huh. If he didn't shoot himself these cops didn't shot him they should still be fired for not finding the gun on him (if he had one in the first place) after he was searched twice. And of course if he didn't shoot himself I guess that means he was the victim of a sniper.

Quote :: A man's death from a gunshot wound to the head while his hands were handcuffed behind him in an Arkansas police patrol car has been ruled a suicide, The Associated Press reported on Monday.

The AP said the state crime lab report said 21-year-old Chavis Carter shot himself in the right temple of his head with a gun he had hidden. The report was based on autopsy findings and an investigation by the Jonesboro, Ark., Police Department.

Carter's death has prompted skepticism about the police version of events. His father, Charles Douglas, told theGrio that he does not believe that his son's death was a suicide.

"I don’t believe he committed suicide. Until we get justice, we’re not going to get peace. He’s not resting in peace; this won’t be over until he is."

Dr. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner for the City of New York and expert witness during the O.J. Simpson trial, told theGrio that if the gun used to kill Carter was positioned as it was in the police re-enactment video, there's a slight possibility Carter could have gotten enough leverage to shoot himself.

"It would be possible, I think, but it’s still very unlikely that that would happen," he said.

According to the police video, Carter was hunched over and reached behind his back for the gun and fired, causing the bullet to hit the right side of his head.

Carter and two friends were riding in a truck in Jonesboro on the night of July 28 when they were pulled over. Police said they received reports a of truck matching the description of the vehicle driving up and the down the street with its lights turned off.

During a search of the trio and the vehicle, police found marijuana plastic baggies and a set of scales. After running a check on his name, police learned Carter had a warrant for his arrest in Mississippi for marijuana possession.

He was handcuffed after a second search and placed in the back of the squad car while the officers conducted another search of the truck. Shortly thereafter the officers involved said they heard a gunshot and discovered that Carter had shot himself in the head.

Officers found Carter in the back seat slumped over and covered in blood. The other two riders were allowed to go.

Suspicion over the official account has continued to grow in the city's African-American community.

Police video from the night of the incident provided few answers, as it did not show the shooting.

Prior to the video's release, police released a video reconstruction meant to show how Carter could have shot himself with his hands restrained behind his back.

"We just wanted to get a good perspective on how it could be done and the ease with which it could be done,” said Jonesboro Police Chief Michael Yates.

Yates originally called the shooting "bizarre" and said that the officers' version of events defied logic. But he later said the scenario was "very possible."

ne of the officers reported discovering a small-caliber handgun in the spot where Carter died. The gun was not found during the two previous instances Carter was searched.

Baden, the former New York City medical examiner, said the officers bear some culpability in the incident no matter what.

"If he dies in their custody they’re responsible," he said. "At the least, we’re talking about very sloppy police work — not finding a gun that he could have used to shoot one of the officers. And it’s indicative of poor training of the officers."

Yates has come under scrutiny for his department's lack of diversity, with only three out of 145 officers being African-American.

Carter family attorney Benjamin Irwin told the AP he and the family are reviewing the report and will release a statement.

State crime lab? That would explain it, I was going to say no coroner would be stupid enough to believe we're that stupid to think an unarmed handcuffed man can shoot himself and then get rid of the weapon.

Of course the cops were ill-trained, they're in Arkansas.

Wonder why a 21-year-old man, facing no great prison time would kill himself? Where was that gun that eluded detection? Cops are supposed to get personal in a pat down search.

Hell, I once found a knife in a guy's pants that turned out not to be a knife. blushing

Not only do I not believe he shot himself, but he told his girlfriend he would call her from the jail. That sure doesn't sound like he planned to kill himself!

Just when you thought you have read everything..........

I saw that re-enactment video. Still not buying it. Just checked to make sure I was remembering it right & he WAS left handed. So why would a left handed person shoot themself in the right side of their head? This has bullshit all over it.

It is time for the FBI to come look at this bullshit story for a blatant racial killing right out of the old south.

This reminds me of a story my redneck uncle once told me where the punch line was "That nigger thot he could steal those logging chains and swim that pond with them." Blatant racial murders and lame coverups were rampant in the '50s & '60s. We thot that had ended, but this incident in Arkansas looks very suspicious.

Terrible thing to read. I can't imagine what the family is going through with all the doubts. And it seems as if the doubts are justified.

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Hitskin.com

Shooting death of handcuffed man in patrol car ruled a suicide