Brickbat: Double Down

A semiautomatic pistol on its side, with a Taser on top. | Bill H | Dreamstime.com

Former Titusville, Florida, Police Officer Josh Payne has been sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of a man he mistook for a domestic violence suspect. James Lowery ran away when Payne tried to arrest him. Payne chased him with his Taser in one hand and his gun in the other, in violation of department policy. He then fired both weapons, and a bullet struck Lowery in the back of the head. Lowery’s family pleaded for a felony conviction, but the judge only sentenced Payne to probation. Payne must also permanently give up his law enforcement certification and pay $18,000 for Lowery’s funeral expenses.

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