Questions About Demetrius Johnson

After reading about Demetrius Johnson in the paper, it makes me wonder how much of the story is missing, because to our knowledge, it wasn't videotaped.  Demetrius Johnson is made out as the kid with a long rap sheet that deserved to go to prison.  That may be true, or not, but we will never know, after dying in the hands of the police.  Unfortunately, the truth about Demetrius Johnson's death, likely died with him.  What little we do know, is that getting pulled over by police for a traffic offense, can be potentially deadly nowadays.

I don't condone what Demetrius Johnson did by running from and fighting with police; that is not the point to this little commentary.  The point is, it seems to me that we have police who taser a person multiple times for a traffic offense, the person dies, and the police get paid leave until it is determined to be a justified killing.  At the same time, we have Jerome Ersland, a private citizen, standing trial for murder while protecting his business, and his employees, from an armed robber.  This is exactly backwards.   It's the police who have a higher degree of care to the people, who should be more careful protecting the public, not tasering someone for a traffic offense.

If Jerome Ersland went too far, then there is no doubt that the police went too far also.  There is no difference between the two situations.  If one is murder, the other is too.  I have been practicing law for 35 years - Ersland probably should have been charged, but not for 1st degree murder.

Mickey

A Little About Mickey

Being new to the blogosphere, the logical place to begin is to introduce myself.  I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, graduated from Northwest Classen High School and received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.  I went on to the Oklahoma City University School of Law where I received my Juris Doctorate.

I married my wonderful wife, Syndney, in 1974.  We have three children:  Daughter, Valerie Homsey Salem who is married to Father John Salem.  My son, Sam, is married to Dini.  My youngest is my daughter Meagan.  My wife and I have been blessed with a grandson, Michael, and a granddaughter, Christina and there is another grandchild on the way.

I began practicing law as an Assistant District Attorney in Oklahoma County and have served as a Municipal Judge in both Harrah and Choctaw, Oklahoma.

Since beginning my private practice in 1979, my areas of law have included criminal, domestic, personal injury and civil litigation, predominantly in the Oklahoma City area, but have practiced throughout the great state of Oklahoma.

I am a long standing member of the Oklahoma County Bar, the Oklahoma Bar Association, Western District of Oklahoma and a member of the United States Supreme Court.

I have been a life-long member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church where I have served on the Board for over 20 years, serving as its Chairman along with many other committee assignments.  St. Elijah's is an incredible worship experience and one of the most enriching aspects of my life.

I was appointed to the Oklahoma City Board of Adjustments in 1990, by then Mayor Ron Norick and served on that Board for 11 years, Chairman for 5 years.

Oklahoma City University School of Law has been a blessing to me and I have been actively involved in that University, serving as National Chairman for the Circle of Pride fund raising campaign.  I have also been honored to serve as a member of the Executive Advisory Council to the Dean of the Law School.

I have also served on the IOCC Board since 2003, and was made Chairman of the Board for 2011-2012..

Thank you for checking out my blog - you may not agree with me all the time, but at least you know you'll get honesty.

Mickey

First Post

This is to establish my new blog.