Police Kill 18 Year Old Over Marijuana Possession

18 Year Old Man Killed By NYPD Over Marijuana

Author: Lenny
Category: News, State
Comments: 44 Comments
Date Posted: February 8th, 2012

Last Thursday, an 18 year old man was shot in the chest by New York City police in the Bronx for marijuana. He was pursued because he had a joint. He fled police, making it to his Grandmothers house. Police forcefully entered and fired shots without even announcing who they were. Now I don’t know what the normal procedure for police is when someone flees them but I know that in order to force entry into a home, you need a warrant which this officers did NOT have.

Police kicked in the door of 58-year-old Patricia Hartley (Graham’s grandmother) and rushed in looking for Graham with guns drawn. Before Hartley even knew what was happening she heard Haste yell “Gun” right before witnessing her grandson taking a shot to the chest. But police didn’t find a gun at all, only a small amount of marijuana that Graham was attempting to flush down the toilet.

Shocked and in instant moaning, Patricia Hartley was taken in by police for questioning as her grandson fought for his life. Graham then died in the hospital as his grandmother was being questioned.

The family wants answers. I want answers. This is the most disgusting thing I have seen all day and it hurts me that I even have to write about this nonsense.

These types of unlawful arrests and handling of the drug law was is nothing new in New York. Despite marijuana possession being decriminalized, police regularly do illegal searches to get drug arrest. New York city police were supposed to be cutting back on marijuana possession charges as a result of an order placed by the police commissioner to actually follow the laws on marijuana but as you can see, not everyone got the memo. In fact, marijuana arrests actually went UP in 2011.

My heart goes out to the victims family for this tragedy and I sincerely hope the police who are responsible are held accountable.

The New York Police Department is investigating the death, and have stripped Officer Richard Haste, who fired the fatal bullet, of his gun and placed him on “restrictive duty” pending the investigation. His supervisor, Sargent Scott Morris, who was in a stairwell between the first and second floors of the home when the fatal shot was fired, has also been placed on restrictive duty.

A grand jury is expected to investigate the shooting to determine if the officers should face criminal charges.

What do you greenies think about this? What can we do to fight this madness?

About the author

Lenny

Women. Weed. Weather. @LennyGaiter @hail_mary_jane

Joe Bake

I think he got what was coming to him. The police had no way of knowing that he was running to flush the weed down the toilet. He could have been runing to get a gun to shoot the cops. If this would happen more often then there would be a whole lot less people running from the cops and a lot less tax dollars spent trying to track down those that flee….Now I also agree that If pot were legalized then this would have never happened and there would be a whole lot more tax revenue coming in for a gov't that desperately needs it…..
- kavashaki
  
  He could have ran home to play with his rubber ducky.
  "Quick, he's running away! Assume he has a machine gun ready to kill all police in the immediate vicinity!"
  
  For fucks sake. They should face the same repercussions for their actions as any civilian would.
  There's no debate here, they shot someone who clearly wasn't a threat to them. I would go to jail if I had done the same. They get "restrictive duty".
  
  Police are not above the law.
- MEGAN BARDEN
  
  REGARDLESS, THE COP HAD NO RIGHT TO SHOOT HIM IN HIS HOME WITH OUT A WARRANT AND WITH OUT SHOWING ANY THREAT! FUCKKKKK THAT!
- Joe Bake is a douche
  
  Insensitive prick. Cops kill a harmless kid and you defend that kind of action?
- zinal
  
  You are not fit for society sir, sick twisted mind. Unfortunately you sir are a product of THIS society. Scary shit, real scary. Maybe some day you will get what's "coming to you".
- pussy
  
  you fuck head, this is the whole point our grandfathers created this country
- Emanuel Fear
  
  Joe bake you are hardly, no your not even worth the skin on your back. Normally through an intellectual manner I'd inform you of how disgusting a view you have and how I think you are scum. An opinion is allowed but with a corrupt and horrible view like that,but you don't deserve fair trial, your kind disgusts me, you vial individual. You are the bottom feeder scum of society and even though it's wrong of me to say, I hope you get what you have coming. As for the cops, an eye for an eye is what I feel is fair but at the same time I don't approve of that sort of thing, I think they should lose there job and spend the rest of their lives in jail for killing an innocent man.
  - LINKONE
    
    joe bake…for this comment im pretty sure you'll get slap in the nose,destiny is just going to throw a hand rite into the center of ur face.
    
    PS. YOUR A DICK
- Blake Joe
  
  hope you get your door busted down and be a victim of police brutality yourself. learn to show some human emotions, some respect at the very least.
- SPENCA
  
  IM SO HAPPY THE WORLD IS'NT FULL OF RETARDED PEOPLE WITH THE MOST STUPID OPINIONS AS YOU JOE, JUST BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAS OR NOT COMMITTED A CRIME CHOOSES TO RUN OR EVADE POLICE DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE MURDERED & LOSE THERE LIFE !!!!
  POLICE IN THE U.S.A ARE SO THICK ALL THEY KNOW IS HOW TO SHOOT A GUN, & THEY CANT EVEN DO THAT RIGHT MOST OF THE TIME !!
  NO POLICE OFFICER SHOULD DRAW THERE GUN/S UNLESS THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED OR BEING SHOT AT !!!
  I CANT SEE HOW A MAN RUNNING AWAY FROM POLICE COULD BE ANY THREAT TO THEM OR THE PUBLIC AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE NO PROOF IF HE WHERE CARRYING A WEAPON, OR WHAT THE REASON WAS FOR HIM RUNNING AWAY.
  THE BIG QUESTION IS WHY DID THE POLICE AIM & SHOOT TO KILL & NOT AIM TO WOUND. WHY DIDNT THEY USE A TAZER INSTEAD ??? JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW POLICE OFFICERS IN THE U.S ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO THERE JOB OR HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET TO ENFORCE THE LAW WITHIN REASON. POLICE ARE JUST TRIGGER HAPPY THUGS WHO DESERVE TO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
- TiredOfShit
  
  The government and law enforcement are corrupt, and don't give a damn about us. I don't trust any of the peices of shit. That cop should be executed for this, he had no right to shoot this kid. He is just another cop on a power trip. The people need to band together and take this country back from these corrupt assholes before we have no rights left at all.
- Kuba
  
  …aaaaand clearly you're an idiot with no morals nor common sense. These police thugs have unlawfully invaded someone's private property and committed a manslaughter inside, they killed a kid. At least now they are going to be tried, sentenced and will do some proper jail time.
Derp

they didn't need a warrant to enter the home. they had probable cause. THE END.
- Really
  
  Finally someone with some intelligence…
- Herp
  
  Probable cause also gives them permission to shoot him. It's in the constitution.
- derp is a derp
  
  you are a fuck head too
jack

while it's a fair point that he could have had anything in his hand the fact is, he didn't. he had a joint- one that he was trying to get rid of. this 18 year old kid was probably terrified of what would happen if he was caught so flight kicked in and he sprang. the cops chased, saw him with something, and gunned him down. this all boils down to trigger happy cops that don't have enough restraint or decent enough glasses to see the difference between a joint and a gun. now this kid is dead and 2 cops are most likely just going to get a slap on the wrist and a "suspension" that will be nothing more than 2 weeks vacation.
Jo Deeson

And they wonder why we rejoice everytime some stupid cop gets clipped in the line of duty lol.

www.anon-puter.tk
- Schu51
  
  Next time you need the cops to come to your rescue…hopefully they wont come. Most people take cops for granted. Yes, there are some really bad cops; but most of them are decent human being that strive to make the public domain a safer place. So before you hope all cops dead, just think about how you would feel if you needed help with something where the cops are the only answer.
http://www.___.com Arther Gomez

I know for a fact that Police are NOT supposed to use there guns unless the suspect posses a legitimate threat, like wielding a weapon or attacking the police with one. And even then they are supposed to subdue by shooting the suspect in a non-lethal spot.
Yancey

He made the mistake of running, sure. That did validate entering his grandmother's home, but NOT shooting this kid to death.
Regardless, if anyone doesn't like this, we can contact NYPD and let them know that we will not stand for these things happening. Those cops should not have been continued with any type of duty at all. They should have at least lost their jobs for murdering a kid instead of just cuffing him when they had him cornered in a restroom, and those officers should have been imprisoned. Restricted duty is no punishment. They still have their jobs. They still have their bread and butter, their bloodstained paychecks. We have to tell NYPD (INTELLIGENTLY so that we are taken seriously) that we won't stand for it and that we are all watching. If we all do this, they will know the pressure and they will know that they can't get away with murder.
- zinal
  
  Call the NYPD and complain? Like they give a shit haha, you can't be serious. 99% of police are borderline retarded. That's why they hire them and that's why they want to be police. They want people that will do what they're told without question and the officers are brain dead control freak sociopaths trying to compensate for their unintelligent minds.
  
  Take the cop who murdered this man in cold blood to the street. Let the family stone them to death in front of the community. Justice. Fuck the police I have never seen one good thing come from any of them. I'm sure someone will chime in with the typical "Oh wait till something happens to you and you will want the police". Nope. Won't happen I have been in situations that require police assistance but guess what. They didn't do a godamn thing to help in any of them. And guess what if I had taken the appropriate measures to deal with the situations myself then I would be arrested. Evil, corrupt, pieces of shit.
Pessimistic Much

Everyone starts a riot when police make a mistake. What about the countless, countless good police officers who risk their lives everyday so that innocent civilians are safe?
- commonsense
  
  Then those good police are doing their job, thats what their SUPPOSED to do. What, you wanna give everybody a medal for doing their job? And people make big deals out of "mistakes" like this because somebody was killed!! Not many job positions have repercussions like that. Police need to be kept in check as much, really more than we civilians because they have more power, more authority, more credibility (and lethal weapons) than the rest of us. If a cop doesnt do his job everybody is screwed over (cause we pay for their "mistakes" with our tax dollars, and in cases like this our natural rights, and our lives.).
stoprunningfromcops

warrant for what? they were in pursuit of a suspect and they followed him to this house, you dont need a warrant if your chasing someone that has committed a crime, dont commit crimes and the cops wont fuck with you
- commonsense
  
  ill admit that is debatable. but still, to break in to a house and for no good reason start shooting people.. That is not in anyway ok.
- Kuba
  
  What was this child's crime again?
Nottheheroswethought

In no way shape or form is this ok. Those cops should be given a trial for their many crimes and in this instance the mental trauma that young mans family, especially his grandmother must endure. The cops that did this are truly the scum of the Earth and if they are allowed to walk on this with no jail time, equal to what a civilian would get, than I have lost all faith in the New York justice system. I hope to any higher power out there that these cops acted roughly and out of accordance with any superior, because if they were complying with any form of orders I fear for the freedom of New York and America as a whole.
http://fhcoop.com/marijuana-dispensary-in-west-hollywood.html Mandy

This is ridiculous, I had to click and read and watch to fully believe this can happen. Unreal that cops can shoot without announcing themselves and over marijuana. This boy was far too young to be killed, and I sincerely hope the NYPD handle the immoral actions of their policemen- they should not get away with this.
http://www.hailmaryjane.com ~*GreenGirl*~

the boy was scared so he ran
the cops were mad they had to run after him
he couldn't have been posing a threat if he was making motions to flush the joint (think about body positioning)
the cops skipped the steps that are legally in place to stop tragedies like this
they should be punished because they took his life without good reason
we as the public have rights and it is time for us to get off our asses and defend them because this was not ok

PS to all those defending the cops even if the cops were in the right by entering the home they were wrong for shooting to kill! have some compassion for the young lost life and those traumatized
JT

They were within rights to go in the house. Warrant is needed to search because they don’t know where something is in the house if its in there at all. But if they fallow someone to it and see them go in. And the person is what they’re after then they know and they have the right to go in. Explicitly because its a person. And if they don’t they could lose him. Just like a cop can kick in a door and enter if they know there is an illegal object or substance inside and that if they don’t go in now that the evidence would be destroyed.

I don’t advocate what happened in any fashion. But I did want to clear up a few things. There were 1000 different ways that they could have handled the situation. And the use of deadly force wasn’t necessary from the information you’ve given us. But…thats what you risk when you blaze up in the open.

Easiest way to beat the system is to know it inside and out. I did 4 years on the law enforcement side before i said “this shit is bogus. bunch of faggots” but it just helps me get away with a lot.
- Moonwaterz
  
  Thats what you risk when you blaze in the open air?! WTF?!
Brady

Not to refute the ridiculousness of this act, if the police have probable cause(or maybe even reasonable suspicion) that a fugitive is in a household,(they saw them run in there) then they have the right to enter the house.
CTF

you don't need a warrant to enter a house if you are chasing a suspect. if someone robs a bank in a purple jacket and green pants with a yellow hat, and the police see someone in a purple jacket and green pants and a yellow hat enter a house, they can enter that house.
Dr. Cayton Forrester

Third World Death Squads come to AmeriKa,hell we trained em,( College of the America's) Why wouldn't this happen here over and over again.The cops have been militarized, we live in a Society That promotes and profits from Paranoia,Hatred and Warfare.Some day the chickens will come home to roost
- Guest
  
  Make that Dr. Clayton Forrester
Pingback: There no hope with dope
Moonwaterz

Much love and support to the Family of the victim. …some comments here are truly sick. I've got no words for it. If this would happen in a big city in Europa, you can bet your life that all Hell Will break loose. Those cops could trigger a riot and endanger everybody in the area. Unbelievable! Unbelieveable to see police offIcers with no self control, no intellect, …no roll model qaulifications … And that is/in a DEMOCRACY?! For God's sake, it's just weed! Shame on you, USA!
EDMGOON124

Its a looooong post, but well worth reading if you’re concerned about police brutality and how YOU can really make a difference.

Call and Complain? Write a Letter to your MLA? Stage a Peaceful Protest? No, folks, the answer is direct action. The Police, while telling you all that they are your protector, and without them, you’d all be killing eachother, are actually the first and foremost cause of problems in the troubled neighborhoods. Instead of working with their neighbors, who are in similar situations as their own; everyday, working people in poor neighborhoods are quick to rely on the police to solve their problems and keep the peace when necessary. Let me ask the residents of any such area in any city worldwide, How well has it worked for you so far? Not good? What do you expect when hard working people, already stressed out with bills and shitty jobs, are forced because of their economic status to live in a neighborhood full of crack and murder, gang members and screaming lunatics, needles and shell casings? And when things go wrong the only LEGAL option often available is to call the Police, who usually live in rich, peaceful areas free from the daily bullshit of the working class people’s hectic lives.

Listen up folks, the police don’t get paid to care about you, your well being or that of your family’s. Their function is SOCIAL CONTROL. they Serve their “Shareholders (business owners in the area, the Mayor / council , investors etc..)” not you.

What can you do though???

#1 – When you see the police on your block, grab a camera and make yourself (politely) obvious to them. This will let them know that they are being watched, and that the people in the area are concerned about the way the police have been conducting themselves.

#2 – Talk to your neighbors about a way so that people in close proximity to one another look out for each other. For example, if you have been victimized in your community in any way talk to your neighbors about it and make it harder for the culprit to victimize you or your neighbors again. if you are going to be away for a couple days, talk to your neighbors and ask them to watch your things and to notify you or other neighbors of any problems.

It’s really that simple. Whatever you do, try to avoid that knee jerk reaction to call the police for any problems, especially if you do live in a neighborhood with lots of problems. Once people start taking care of eachother, it will be harder for anyone to victimize them. If you rely on an outside, corrupt, morally unjust “mediating” police force to solve problems that occur in YOUR community, the problems can only flourish and become harder to solve.

For more information, visit www.crimethinc,org (this post is in no way affiliated with Crimethinc.org)
AHodges

The fact that anyone could defend such an obvious abuse of power proves how fucking brainwashed the American public is when it comes to crime and punishment. The cop might have had probable cause to follow the kid, but the only time they are justified in shooting is if their own life is in danger. And nothing in these details indicates anything that would suggest there was a threat against this cop.

So let’s stop defending our oppressors, ok?
cinhed

Why this fact is in this site ? That showing unresponsible cops not witnees of mary pss
crusader

My sympathies go out to young Ramarley’s Family. Just 18 years old,and just because some jack booted thug was eager to put another feather in his cap by busting a young pot smoker,Ramarley is dead.Think about that,that cop could have stopped at the door and just said that’s one pot smoker who lived to smoke another day,but noooooo,that a–holes adrenaline was pumping,and with a loaded weapon in hand,he was gonna take down that deadly Pot smoker.
Wake up and smell the coffee citizen’s,you could be next.This cop is part of the system today.Unless this county puts a stop to it’s brutal War against the people of the World(DRUG WAR),it’s going to continue to escalate.
Richard

Fuck It whore police
Neal

Wow…absolutely ridiculous. Why is weed even illegal in the first place? Its not bad…seriously, it is less harmful than alcohol, and has the potential to generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for our government. In addition, its medicinal benefits are many…and there's reason to believe that weed would be much more effective than many medicines already available. Yet we are punished for this plant….a plant that can easily be grown in our backyards…don't you see something wrong with this picture? And yes…most cops abuse their powers. They feel that they are doing the community a good deed by busting non-violent pot smokers…but really, they are ruining peoples' lives…taking away their freedoms over a plant. And this plant doesn't make people violent…no the worst it does is make people lazy…that's it! And we are punished for smoking, possessing, or selling it? I think we should stop allowing the government to enforce such a ridiculous ban over marijuana and come to our senses.
Paul

Our founding fathers are probably doing cartwheels in their graves knowing how our country has ended up. This kind of shit is pathetic beyond belief. The more I hear about this shit and see some people actually having the nerve of supporting this kind of brutality over a fucking plant, the more I despise the modern world. I've been seeing nothing but greed and corruption consume everything. Things have to change. Fuck the government and fuck the asshole who shot the poor kid.