May 19, 2009 started out as just another day at work at the Reliable Discount Pharmacy for Pharmacist Dr. Jerome Ersland...
The following is copied from http://www.jeromeersland.org Please visit that site and donate generously; since, funds are desperately needed for the appeals process. Even obtaining a copy of the transcript will cost between $10,000 and $15,000! The only changes I've made to what I copied was to change the tense, where applicable. If you know anyone who might be able to help please send them a link. If they can do this to him, they could do it to any of us who "have the unmitigated gall" to refuse to be victims. This is NOT "just" a fight for Dr. Ersland's liberty (although that's a worthy cause, in and of itself) - it's a fight for the right of each and every one of us to protect the lives of ourselves and those we care about!
Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jerome Ersland is a disabled veteran who retired from the United States Air Force. Jerome joined the military and became a pharmacist because he wanted to serve our Country and help his fellow Americans. Due to inoperable broken back / spinal cord injury Jerome is forced to wear a back brace at all times that severely restricts his movement. In spite of this, Jerome still worked full time and continued to serve his community. He belongs to the DAV, the American Legion, the VFW, served as Vice President of his Church and as an advisor for the Boy Scouts.
On May 19, 2009 at closing time when all the controlled substances and money were out for counting two armed robbers wearing ski-masks came to Reliable Pharmacy. One of the three employees inadvertently pushed the button allowing them in. As soon as the door opened, one of the robbers carefully placed a board in the doorway securing their exit. At the same time, the other robber pulled out his pistol demanding drugs and money threatening to kill anyone that did not comply. These robbers had been coached exactly which narcotics had the most street value according to 'The Oklahoman Newspaper' reporter Nolan Clay. As employees were retreating to the back of the store, Shots were fired and one of the robbers bullets struck Jerome. He returned fire killing one of the robbers. Jerome saved the employees lives, and prevented approximately $660,000 (street-value) worth of drugs from being stolen. His brave actions helped police apprehend other people involved in the planning and execution of this intricate, armed gang related robbery. Also, according to Nolan Clay these people were "alleged ring leaders previously convicted of thefts and assaults." When the Oklahoma City Police arrived, they told Jerome he was a hero.
Eight days later, Oklahoma County D.A. David Prater charged him with murder one at the request of the NAACP. Jerome is now bankrupt, having spent his whole retirement and all of his current salary goes to lawyer fees. He pays 100k in bond every year (twice so far) and even though he hadn't been convicted, he was on house arrest. Jerome wore a GPS ankle tracking device that also cost around $480 a month! Jerome had to get permission a full week in advance for a simple trip to the store. Jerome had served honorably in our military, played an active role in our community, and SAVED the lives of his employees. Jerome is a hero, a veteran, a friendly neighbor! Please consider a personal donation to help Jerome continue fighting this injustice! (End paste)
Although Oklahoma has "Make My Day" and "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws in place, the work-place had been neglected when these laws were passed. In the 2011 session, this over-sight was corrected by a bill authored by Okla. Sen. Ralph Shortey, which was passed and will go into effect on Nov. 1, 2011. Unfortunately, making it retroactive would Constitutionally invalidate it. (For some reason which makes no sense to me!...)
The trial began exactly 2 years after this nightmare for Dr. Ersland first began. Okla. Co. DA David Prater and Judge Ray Elliott managed to disallow all but one of the witnesses which Dr. Ersland's attorney (Mr. Ervin Box) wanted to present. While this is anything but rare within our legal system, it is a despicable practice which thwarts true justice - turning it into nothing more than a perverse game, with people's lives as the pawns!!! Further, during jury instructions, the jury was NOT advised that "Jury Nulification" was a perfectly legal and long-standing remedy for cases where a technically legal verdict would also be an immoral verdict. Again, a common legal practice; but, a despicable one.
I had spoken with Mr. Box a few months ago, suggesting that he get an expert witness who could testify as to what can occur when someone has been shot in the head. Most people believe that what they see in TV shows is accurate - that the person shot "goes down and stays down." For this to NOT be the case is FAR from uncommon! A gunshot to the head can cause autonomic muscle spasms, which can easily be misconstrued as "trying to get up." There's a medical term for this, which I can't remember; but, the effect is similar to the flopping of a chicken who's head has been chopped off... This can occur immediately; and, it CAN be a delayed response, as bleeding affects the pressures on various parts of the brain.
For those of you who wonder why I know so much about this, see the very bottom of this page. I've been through explaining it too many times recently; and, doing so is EXTREMELY painful for me. I'm just going to paste a copy of what I've already written and be done with it...
There are some good Facebook forums, where people are coordinating efforts to right this injustice. Here's some links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Support-Group/149056015142124?sk=wall&filter=1
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Jerome-Ersland/206832819343505
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Protest/132648216813611?ref=ts&sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pardon-Jerome-Ersland/226282597382525?ref=ts&sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Should-not-of-been-found-guilty/165188420212358?sk=wall
There is currently a petition drive underway, to free Dr. Erslund. Also, there's a drive to flood AG Scott Pruitt's office with complaint forms against DA prater and judge elliott, urging an investigation of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct. Gov. Fallin has expressed her support of Dr. Ersland; but, due to recent changes in the laws, her powers to intervene are limited unless the matter is forwarded to her from the AG's office. Here's a copy of the downloadable PDF file: http://www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/0/e895944cf2232787862578530064f590/$FILE/agcomplaint.pdf
In addition to the paper petitions and the AG complaint forms, there is also an on-line petition. It's located at: :http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-jerome-ersland/ It's NOT a substitute for the first two; but, it IS worth filling it out.
Here's another one to sign!!!! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/784/petition-to-remove-david-prater-from-office-of-the-district-attorney-of-oklahoma-county/ I LOVE THIS ONE!!!!
Here's a link for Gov. Fallin's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Last; but, certainly not least: Call Judge Elliott and ask him not just to suspend the life sentence; but, to invoke "Judicial Nullification" (the judge's version of "Jury Nullification") to overturn this abhorent travesty of (so-called) "justice." Judge Elliott 713-1428 Monday-Friday from 8-5
Also, the contact info on David Prater's facebook page is 405-229-3743 and [email protected] if you want to express your feelings that charges NEVER should have been filed against Jerome Ersland to begin with!!!!!!
How to get money on his books for his comfort. Mail a money order to:
Inmate Trust, Jerome Ersland, 10/31/1951,
201 N Shartel, Oklahoma City, Ok 73102
Sherriff Office Re: Medications
John Whetsel
211 N. Shartel
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1000
Judge: Ray Elliott
321 Park Ave. Room 700
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1426
don't forget to call the judges chambers at 405-713-1428 and vocalize your support of a suspended sentence! I just did and it was very easy. His clerk said they are keeping a log of all the calls! If you are the page admin please repost this so everyone can see it on their newsfeed :)
Governor Mary Fallin
2300 Lincoln Blvd #212
okc,ok 73105
405-521-2342
Email- [email protected]
District Attorney Info:
David Prater 320 Park Ave
#505
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1600 #0
Here's the text needed to create a blank copy of the petition, with mailing instructions. With the permission of Karen, I made 2 modifications to the text: 1) I replaced "the District Attorneys Office" (like THEY're REALLY going to help us???) with the "Oklahoma Attorney General's Office" and 2) I replaced "the National Rifle Association" (they abandoned self-defense issues a LONG time ago!) with the "Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board." All you have to do is just copy the text below, paste it into your favorite word processing program, using "landscape" mode. You'll have to adjust the spacing and add the lines; but, that's not hard and takes just a few minutes. After saving it, you can print all the copies you need, including blank copies for others to duplicate and circulate. We need to be able to absolutely FLOOD these offices with filled petitions:
We the people of the State of Oklahoma feel our Justice System has let us down on 05/26/2011 on the Jerome Ersland case. We are in shock and outrage but more importantly we fear for the safety of our homes and businesses. We sign this in the hopes the Govenor, the Small Business Association, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Paroles will receive a copy. Please help us right this wrong.
Name | Address | Phone # | County | Business Owner |
Signature |
Mail to: Karen c/o Reliable Discount Pharmacy, 5900 S.
Penn. Ave., OKC, OK 73119 405-681-6631
Karen: 405-634-3956
You can send Jerome Jay Ersland a support letter or
card: c/o Okla. Co. Sherriff's Office, 201 N. Shartel,
OKC, OK 73102
Jury Nullification Links:
http://www.letsgetfreethebook.com/jurorsforjustice/powertothepeople-whatisjurynullification.html
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/zenger/nullification.html
http://fija.org/http://fija.org/
http://fija.org/2011/05/26/9th-circuit-panel-rules-juror-cant-be-discharged-due-to-his-views-on-the-merits-of-a-case/
Judicial Nullification Links:
I'm still working on this. I now have petitions to circulate; and, that's taking up most of my time. :)
The following is copied from http://www.jeromeersland.org Please visit that site and donate generously; since, funds are desperately needed for the appeals process. Even obtaining a copy of the transcript will cost between $10,000 and $15,000! The only changes I've made to what I copied was to change the tense, where applicable. If you know anyone who might be able to help please send them a link. If they can do this to him, they could do it to any of us who "have the unmitigated gall" to refuse to be victims. This is NOT "just" a fight for Dr. Ersland's liberty (although that's a worthy cause, in and of itself) - it's a fight for the right of each and every one of us to protect the lives of ourselves and those we care about!
Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jerome Ersland is a disabled veteran who retired from the United States Air Force. Jerome joined the military and became a pharmacist because he wanted to serve our Country and help his fellow Americans. Due to inoperable broken back / spinal cord injury Jerome is forced to wear a back brace at all times that severely restricts his movement. In spite of this, Jerome still worked full time and continued to serve his community. He belongs to the DAV, the American Legion, the VFW, served as Vice President of his Church and as an advisor for the Boy Scouts.
On May 19, 2009 at closing time when all the controlled substances and money were out for counting two armed robbers wearing ski-masks came to Reliable Pharmacy. One of the three employees inadvertently pushed the button allowing them in. As soon as the door opened, one of the robbers carefully placed a board in the doorway securing their exit. At the same time, the other robber pulled out his pistol demanding drugs and money threatening to kill anyone that did not comply. These robbers had been coached exactly which narcotics had the most street value according to 'The Oklahoman Newspaper' reporter Nolan Clay. As employees were retreating to the back of the store, Shots were fired and one of the robbers bullets struck Jerome. He returned fire killing one of the robbers. Jerome saved the employees lives, and prevented approximately $660,000 (street-value) worth of drugs from being stolen. His brave actions helped police apprehend other people involved in the planning and execution of this intricate, armed gang related robbery. Also, according to Nolan Clay these people were "alleged ring leaders previously convicted of thefts and assaults." When the Oklahoma City Police arrived, they told Jerome he was a hero.
Eight days later, Oklahoma County D.A. David Prater charged him with murder one at the request of the NAACP. Jerome is now bankrupt, having spent his whole retirement and all of his current salary goes to lawyer fees. He pays 100k in bond every year (twice so far) and even though he hadn't been convicted, he was on house arrest. Jerome wore a GPS ankle tracking device that also cost around $480 a month! Jerome had to get permission a full week in advance for a simple trip to the store. Jerome had served honorably in our military, played an active role in our community, and SAVED the lives of his employees. Jerome is a hero, a veteran, a friendly neighbor! Please consider a personal donation to help Jerome continue fighting this injustice! (End paste)
Although Oklahoma has "Make My Day" and "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws in place, the work-place had been neglected when these laws were passed. In the 2011 session, this over-sight was corrected by a bill authored by Okla. Sen. Ralph Shortey, which was passed and will go into effect on Nov. 1, 2011. Unfortunately, making it retroactive would Constitutionally invalidate it. (For some reason which makes no sense to me!...)
The trial began exactly 2 years after this nightmare for Dr. Ersland first began. Okla. Co. DA David Prater and Judge Ray Elliott managed to disallow all but one of the witnesses which Dr. Ersland's attorney (Mr. Ervin Box) wanted to present. While this is anything but rare within our legal system, it is a despicable practice which thwarts true justice - turning it into nothing more than a perverse game, with people's lives as the pawns!!! Further, during jury instructions, the jury was NOT advised that "Jury Nulification" was a perfectly legal and long-standing remedy for cases where a technically legal verdict would also be an immoral verdict. Again, a common legal practice; but, a despicable one.
I had spoken with Mr. Box a few months ago, suggesting that he get an expert witness who could testify as to what can occur when someone has been shot in the head. Most people believe that what they see in TV shows is accurate - that the person shot "goes down and stays down." For this to NOT be the case is FAR from uncommon! A gunshot to the head can cause autonomic muscle spasms, which can easily be misconstrued as "trying to get up." There's a medical term for this, which I can't remember; but, the effect is similar to the flopping of a chicken who's head has been chopped off... This can occur immediately; and, it CAN be a delayed response, as bleeding affects the pressures on various parts of the brain.
For those of you who wonder why I know so much about this, see the very bottom of this page. I've been through explaining it too many times recently; and, doing so is EXTREMELY painful for me. I'm just going to paste a copy of what I've already written and be done with it...
There are some good Facebook forums, where people are coordinating efforts to right this injustice. Here's some links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Support-Group/149056015142124?sk=wall&filter=1
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-Jerome-Ersland/206832819343505
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Protest/132648216813611?ref=ts&sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pardon-Jerome-Ersland/226282597382525?ref=ts&sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-Ersland-Should-not-of-been-found-guilty/165188420212358?sk=wall
There is currently a petition drive underway, to free Dr. Erslund. Also, there's a drive to flood AG Scott Pruitt's office with complaint forms against DA prater and judge elliott, urging an investigation of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct. Gov. Fallin has expressed her support of Dr. Ersland; but, due to recent changes in the laws, her powers to intervene are limited unless the matter is forwarded to her from the AG's office. Here's a copy of the downloadable PDF file: http://www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/0/e895944cf2232787862578530064f590/$FILE/agcomplaint.pdf
In addition to the paper petitions and the AG complaint forms, there is also an on-line petition. It's located at: :
Here's another one to sign!!!! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/784/petition-to-remove-david-prater-from-office-of-the-district-attorney-of-oklahoma-county/ I LOVE THIS ONE!!!!
Here's a link for Gov. Fallin's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Last; but, certainly not least: Call Judge Elliott and ask him not just to suspend the life sentence; but, to invoke "Judicial Nullification" (the judge's version of "Jury Nullification") to overturn this abhorent travesty of (so-called) "justice." Judge Elliott 713-1428 Monday-Friday from 8-5
Also, the contact info on David Prater's facebook page is 405-229-3743 and [email protected] if you want to express your feelings that charges NEVER should have been filed against Jerome Ersland to begin with!!!!!!
How to get money on his books for his comfort. Mail a money order to:
Inmate Trust, Jerome Ersland, 10/31/1951,
201 N Shartel, Oklahoma City, Ok 73102
Sherriff Office Re: Medications
John Whetsel
211 N. Shartel
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1000
321 Park Ave. Room 700
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1426
don't forget to call the judges chambers at 405-713-1428 and vocalize your support of a suspended sentence! I just did and it was very easy. His clerk said they are keeping a log of all the calls! If you are the page admin please repost this so everyone can see it on their newsfeed :)
Governor Mary Fallin
2300 Lincoln Blvd #212
okc,ok 73105
405-521-2342
Email- [email protected]
District Attorney Info:
David Prater 320 Park Ave
#505
okc, ok 73102
405-713-1600 #0
Here's the text needed to create a blank copy of the petition, with mailing instructions. With the permission of Karen, I made 2 modifications to the text: 1) I replaced "the District Attorneys Office" (like THEY're REALLY going to help us???) with the "Oklahoma Attorney General's Office" and 2) I replaced "the National Rifle Association" (they abandoned self-defense issues a LONG time ago!) with the "Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board." All you have to do is just copy the text below, paste it into your favorite word processing program, using "landscape" mode. You'll have to adjust the spacing and add the lines; but, that's not hard and takes just a few minutes. After saving it, you can print all the copies you need, including blank copies for others to duplicate and circulate. We need to be able to absolutely FLOOD these offices with filled petitions:
We the people of the State of Oklahoma feel our Justice System has let us down on 05/26/2011 on the Jerome Ersland case. We are in shock and outrage but more importantly we fear for the safety of our homes and businesses. We sign this in the hopes the Govenor, the Small Business Association, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Paroles will receive a copy. Please help us right this wrong.
Name | Address | Phone # | County | Business Owner |
Signature |
Mail to: Karen c/o Reliable Discount Pharmacy, 5900 S.
Penn. Ave., OKC, OK 73119 405-681-6631
Karen: 405-634-3956
You can send Jerome Jay Ersland a support letter or
card: c/o Okla. Co. Sherriff's Office, 201 N. Shartel,
OKC, OK 73102
Jury Nullification Links:
http://www.letsgetfreethebook.com/jurorsforjustice/powertothepeople-whatisjurynullification.html
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/zenger/nullification.html
http://fija.org/http://fija.org/
http://fija.org/2011/05/26/9th-circuit-panel-rules-juror-cant-be-discharged-due-to-his-views-on-the-merits-of-a-case/
Judicial Nullification Links:
I'm still working on this. I now have petitions to circulate; and, that's taking up most of my time. :)
SOME OTHER CHARGE???
I've run into folks who believe that, even though he shouldn't have been convicted of first degree murder, that he should've been convicted of SOMETHING. It's my belief that those who feel he should've been charged with ANYTHING have probably never been in a life or death situation (at least without backup.) The rule of survival is that a threat does NOT cease to be a threat until there is absolutely no reason for doubt that the threat has been neutralized. Doing anything less can get you dead in a hurry. To do anything less when the lives of those for whom you feel responsible are also on the line would be NEGLEGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE!!!
Just as food for thought, let's say that it was a home invasion. Instead of 2 female employees being present, let's say that it was your 2 daughters; or, if you don't have kids, a very close friend or family member's 2 daughters. Instead of Dr. Ersland, it's YOU upon who's shoulders it falls to make sure that the 3 of you get out of the situation alive and uninjured. For whatever reason, you're unable to fight the invaders physically. You're able to shoot one in the head; and, the other runs out. Is he merely trying to escape? OR, is he going for another weapon or reinforcements??? You give chase; but, once you're sure he's gone - your 2 daughters are STILL in the house with the other invader!!! You HOPE he's dead; but, what if he ISN'T??? You get back in; and, OH CRAP!!! He's MOVING!!! You don't see his weapon! WHERE IS IT???? Is it UNDER him??? Is he trying to get to it???
You're out of ammo!!! Your mind is racing! You're winded, you're shaking, your body's trying to betray you! Got to get to the other gun, the one that's still loaded! Got to calm down!!! You grab hold of yourself enough to even think where the other gun is; and, get it. Maybe the invader is still moving at this point, maybe he's not; but, all you can really think of is surviving and protecting your daughters! You shoot him 5 more times, just to make certain that he's no longer a threat... Do YOU deserve to have YOUR life destroyed?????
Morally, what's REALLY the difference??? Yes, there was an oversight in the self-defense laws; but, should a person's life be destroyed over a legislative over-sight??? (And, I should add, one which has already been corrected at this time!!!) If there ever was case deserving of jury nullification, this was it!!! Unfortunately, they probably disqualified any juror with enough savvy to even know what the term meant! There is also such a thing as judicial nullification; but, I seriously doubt that judge elliott has the cahones to invoke it. :(
I've run into folks who believe that, even though he shouldn't have been convicted of first degree murder, that he should've been convicted of SOMETHING. It's my belief that those who feel he should've been charged with ANYTHING have probably never been in a life or death situation (at least without backup.) The rule of survival is that a threat does NOT cease to be a threat until there is absolutely no reason for doubt that the threat has been neutralized. Doing anything less can get you dead in a hurry. To do anything less when the lives of those for whom you feel responsible are also on the line would be NEGLEGENT AND IRRESPONSIBLE!!!
Just as food for thought, let's say that it was a home invasion. Instead of 2 female employees being present, let's say that it was your 2 daughters; or, if you don't have kids, a very close friend or family member's 2 daughters. Instead of Dr. Ersland, it's YOU upon who's shoulders it falls to make sure that the 3 of you get out of the situation alive and uninjured. For whatever reason, you're unable to fight the invaders physically. You're able to shoot one in the head; and, the other runs out. Is he merely trying to escape? OR, is he going for another weapon or reinforcements??? You give chase; but, once you're sure he's gone - your 2 daughters are STILL in the house with the other invader!!! You HOPE he's dead; but, what if he ISN'T??? You get back in; and, OH CRAP!!! He's MOVING!!! You don't see his weapon! WHERE IS IT???? Is it UNDER him??? Is he trying to get to it???
You're out of ammo!!! Your mind is racing! You're winded, you're shaking, your body's trying to betray you! Got to get to the other gun, the one that's still loaded! Got to calm down!!! You grab hold of yourself enough to even think where the other gun is; and, get it. Maybe the invader is still moving at this point, maybe he's not; but, all you can really think of is surviving and protecting your daughters! You shoot him 5 more times, just to make certain that he's no longer a threat... Do YOU deserve to have YOUR life destroyed?????
Morally, what's REALLY the difference??? Yes, there was an oversight in the self-defense laws; but, should a person's life be destroyed over a legislative over-sight??? (And, I should add, one which has already been corrected at this time!!!) If there ever was case deserving of jury nullification, this was it!!! Unfortunately, they probably disqualified any juror with enough savvy to even know what the term meant! There is also such a thing as judicial nullification; but, I seriously doubt that judge elliott has the cahones to invoke it. :(
"THE RACE CARD..."
Some people have tried to "play the race card;" because, the armed robbers happened to be black and Dr. Erslund happenned to be white... If I were black, I'd be extremely insulted by this tactic! It implies that the robbery was somehow condonable because the robbers were black...
A CRIMINAL IS A CRIMINAL IS A CRIMINAL - I DON'T CARE IF THAT CRIMINAL IS GREEN WITH PURPLE POLKA-DOTS!
Dr. Erslund did NOT shoot him "because he was black;" he shot him because the little punks stormed in there waving guns at him and the other 2 employees, demanding money and narcotics, and threatening to kill them if they didn't comply!!! If Dr. Erslund had been black and the robbers had been white, I'd feel exactly the same way that I do now and I'd be fighting just as hard for his vindication!!!
In the words of Dr. King: "Be judged by the content of their character; rather than the color of their skin..."
Hmmmmm.... Let's see here:
Two teenagers who somehow think that it's okay to barge into a pharmacy waving guns at the employees, demanding money and narcotics, and threatening to kill them if they didn't comply....
Character quotient: ZER0!!!
A retired Lt. Col. who has spent his life in service to his country and community, who put himself between the robbers and the other employees; plus, risked his life to try to keep the drugs off the streets, where they would've endangered others...
Character quotient: 100!!!
This is NOT "a race thing" - it IS "a character thing!"
If I were a member of the NAACP, I'd be EXTREMELY ASHAMED of that organization applying pressure to the DA to file charges against Dr. Ersland. There should be NO DOUBLE STANDARDS!!! They should have thanked Dr. Ersland for preventing those drugs from winding up in their community!!!
Some people have tried to "play the race card;" because, the armed robbers happened to be black and Dr. Erslund happenned to be white... If I were black, I'd be extremely insulted by this tactic! It implies that the robbery was somehow condonable because the robbers were black...
A CRIMINAL IS A CRIMINAL IS A CRIMINAL - I DON'T CARE IF THAT CRIMINAL IS GREEN WITH PURPLE POLKA-DOTS!
Dr. Erslund did NOT shoot him "because he was black;" he shot him because the little punks stormed in there waving guns at him and the other 2 employees, demanding money and narcotics, and threatening to kill them if they didn't comply!!! If Dr. Erslund had been black and the robbers had been white, I'd feel exactly the same way that I do now and I'd be fighting just as hard for his vindication!!!
In the words of Dr. King: "Be judged by the content of their character; rather than the color of their skin..."
Hmmmmm.... Let's see here:
Two teenagers who somehow think that it's okay to barge into a pharmacy waving guns at the employees, demanding money and narcotics, and threatening to kill them if they didn't comply....
Character quotient: ZER0!!!
A retired Lt. Col. who has spent his life in service to his country and community, who put himself between the robbers and the other employees; plus, risked his life to try to keep the drugs off the streets, where they would've endangered others...
Character quotient: 100!!!
This is NOT "a race thing" - it IS "a character thing!"
If I were a member of the NAACP, I'd be EXTREMELY ASHAMED of that organization applying pressure to the DA to file charges against Dr. Ersland. There should be NO DOUBLE STANDARDS!!! They should have thanked Dr. Ersland for preventing those drugs from winding up in their community!!!
"THE AGE CARD"
I've heard prater and others try to "play the age card;" because the armed robbers were 14 and 16. This is just as insane as "the race card." If a person is old enough to commit very adult crimes, they have to be prepared to meet adult consequences. A teenager is actually MORE dangerous in such a situation than (most) older criminals. They're more likely to shoot out of nervousness; and, if you're dead, it DOESN'T MATTER how old the person was who killed you!!! "Juvenile status" is appropriate for "kid stuff" - NOT adult type crimes!!! 14 and 16 SHOULD be old enough to have a grasp of what's right and what's wrong! I think it's disgusting that the 14 year old was only ajudicated as a juvenile, even if it WAS in exchange for his testimony against the 2 adult turds who orchestrated the armed robbery... He's the only one who should've been sentenced to "Life, with the chance for parole..." (Since he testified.) The 2 adult turds should've gotten "Life, withOUT the chance of parole..." (If not the death penalty!!!) Dr. Erslund should NOT have been charged with ANY crime!
I've heard prater and others try to "play the age card;" because the armed robbers were 14 and 16. This is just as insane as "the race card." If a person is old enough to commit very adult crimes, they have to be prepared to meet adult consequences. A teenager is actually MORE dangerous in such a situation than (most) older criminals. They're more likely to shoot out of nervousness; and, if you're dead, it DOESN'T MATTER how old the person was who killed you!!! "Juvenile status" is appropriate for "kid stuff" - NOT adult type crimes!!! 14 and 16 SHOULD be old enough to have a grasp of what's right and what's wrong! I think it's disgusting that the 14 year old was only ajudicated as a juvenile, even if it WAS in exchange for his testimony against the 2 adult turds who orchestrated the armed robbery... He's the only one who should've been sentenced to "Life, with the chance for parole..." (Since he testified.) The 2 adult turds should've gotten "Life, withOUT the chance of parole..." (If not the death penalty!!!) Dr. Erslund should NOT have been charged with ANY crime!
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY!!!
Apparently, the mother of the parker (the dead armed robber) has had the audacity to file "wrongfull death" lawsuits against both Dr. Erslund and Reliable Discount Pharmacy!!! She is even reportedly called her son "a hero..." (WHAAAATTTT???) EXCUSE ME!?!?! She "raises" a thug; she "dates" a career criminal, and she wants a nice fat settlement for raising someone with so little moral character???? SHE is the one who should be getting sued!!! From what I've heard, she was "dating" one of the 2 adult turds who talked the 2 juveniles into doing the robbery; and, both gave them the guns and transportation to the pharmacy! If she has any other minors in the home, she should have IMMEDIATELY and PERMANENTLY lost custody of them! If I'd been the DA, she would've been charged as an accessory; or, at the very least, for aggravated contributing to the delinquency of a minor! When THOSE cases come to trial, they are also the very type of cases for which "Jury Nullification" was intended to be used for!!!!!!! Neither she nor her son "had clean hands;" and, those civil suits should be "dismissed with prejudice."
Apparently, the mother of the parker (the dead armed robber) has had the audacity to file "wrongfull death" lawsuits against both Dr. Erslund and Reliable Discount Pharmacy!!! She is even reportedly called her son "a hero..." (WHAAAATTTT???) EXCUSE ME!?!?! She "raises" a thug; she "dates" a career criminal, and she wants a nice fat settlement for raising someone with so little moral character???? SHE is the one who should be getting sued!!! From what I've heard, she was "dating" one of the 2 adult turds who talked the 2 juveniles into doing the robbery; and, both gave them the guns and transportation to the pharmacy! If she has any other minors in the home, she should have IMMEDIATELY and PERMANENTLY lost custody of them! If I'd been the DA, she would've been charged as an accessory; or, at the very least, for aggravated contributing to the delinquency of a minor! When THOSE cases come to trial, they are also the very type of cases for which "Jury Nullification" was intended to be used for!!!!!!! Neither she nor her son "had clean hands;" and, those civil suits should be "dismissed with prejudice."
I needed something here, to keep me from having my attention drawn back to the account which follows this section; so, I'm putting this picture here, which I really like...
How I know that even a fatal headshot doesn't mean "motionless."
I was livid when I saw prater on the news a few weeks back, making his remarks to the effect of "Mr. Box needs to pick a defense, stick with it, and quit changing his story... Was he (parker) dead; or, was he still moving? Which one is it going to be???..." I doubt if prater is so stupid and misinformed as to really believe that it's an either/or situation. Apparently, he went to the trouble to prevent any expert testimony regarding autonomic muscle spasms from being presented; and, it was testimony which was direly needed; since, most of the public has this misconception that someone/something is down and not moving when they've been shot in the head. NOT THE CASE, as I had to so painfully find out back in the mid-80's, when I had no choice but to shoot a whole box of puppies who'd been severely mangled after some (there aren't expletives strong enough to describe someone who would do this!!!) put the box on a busy 2-lane highway.... The first I knew of it was when I heard them screaming in absolute agony - after cars had hit the box. The scene I witnessed was something which no one shoule EVER have to see!!! It was all I could do to get them out of the road; especially since I was loathe to cause any of them any more pain than they were already in. At the same time, I HAD to; because shooting them where they were would've been too dangerous. A couple of them were already dead; but, most of them were just SEVERELY mangled! (Entrails hanging out, limbs crushed and twisted in ways they were never intended, etc.) Shooting them was the ONLY humane thing which could be done for them... NOT shooting them would've been horrendously cruel. (Hard for me because I've had dogs since I was 5 yrs. old and consider them family members, rather than "just animals.")
I knew I had good, clean head shots on every one of them; since, I was firing from just inches away with hollow points. With the 1st shot, each quit screaming from the agony they'd been in; but, every last one of them flopped around like the proverbial "chicken with its head cut off" after being shot. The ones who's backs had been broken by the cars still had their front legs moving and/or, were twitching.
One of my roommates came out when he heard gunshots; and, I had to yell to him to grab my box of ammo and bring it to me. He did so; and, helped me to reload as necessary. I wound up shooting several of them 3 and 4 times - literally till there was nothing left of their poor little heads! (Even 25 years later, it STILL "rips me a new one" to even have to THINK about!!! I'm in tears typing this...) I was still VERY torn up later when I was talking to a friend who had been a combat medic in Nam. He'd seen the results of head shots MANY times on the battlefield; and, explained to me the physiologic reasons why this type of thing occurs. No one can take away the pain of having had to do it, even though NOT doing it would've been horrificly cruel; but, it DID help (some) to know that I hadn't been contributing anything more to their agony. I've since talked to other combat veterans; and, even though they don't like to talk about it, many are still haunted by memories of enemy soldiers who "kept trying to get up" despite what they knew to be a good head shot/s.
BTW, The term "autonomic muscle spasms" is NOT the medical term. It was a descriptive term used by my friend to explain the actual term. If anyone knows the medical term; please contact me at fedup at rsib dot net, to let me know what it is. It might be useful to Mr. Box, if I can provide it to him...