Cop Who Shot Jacob Blake in The Back 7 Times Won't Be Charged

I suppose this doesn't come as much of a surprise, but the DA in Kenosha, Wisconsin won't charge the police officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back seven times back in August. 

According to the Kenosha News:

In a two-hour press conference that at times resembled the closing arguments in a criminal trial, Graveley used documents, video, tapes of a 911 call and the text of investigators' interviews to outline the findings of the investigation and the factors that weighed on his decision not to charge Sheskey or the other two officers involved in the shooting. Among the key findings of the case, Graveley said, was that Blake was armed with a knife during his encounter with police and that Sheskey believed Blake was turning toward him with that knife when he made the decision to fire his weapon.

"I want to emphasize that this case has to be laser-focused on what a jury trial would look like," Graveley said. "Everybody has seen the video. From their perspective, they have tried this case from their computer screen in their living room. As a professional, I am called upon on how to try this case in a real court room." 

Nonsense. The fact is the officer in question grabbed Blake by the shirt and pumped seven bullets into his back. The DA is simply afraid to hold police accountable thereby sending the message that shooting civilians in the back can be done with impunity. Considering the Kenosha Police Department allowed someone to commit murder in their presence the DA choosing to pass the buck is unlikely to change their behavior.

There are other remedies available. The Blake family could file a civil suit. The incoming DOJ could file civil rights charges against the officers involved. But this will likely take months, if not years. But the night is long and patience is in short supply. One can only hope the supply is sufficient to refrain from violence.