In the early 1990s I followed the death of Donald P. Scott in Malibu when police raided his home, and shot him to death, in the hopes of getting his property under the Federal asset forfeiture laws. I remember that it was going to go to court, but I never learned what happened.
I found out that Donald Scott's family was awarded $5Million in compensation -- $4 M from LA County and $1M from the Federal Government. Of course, that money will not bring Mr. Scott back to his wife and 4 children. .
However, It was clear that a crime was committed by the police agencies. I don't know how to categorize the crime, but one or more of the government officials conspired to steal Mr Scott's property and even though those individuals probably wouldn't have any financial personal gain from the theft, they probably would have gained recognition from their superiors and possibly promotions or raises. I don't believe any of those Government officials were ever taken to justice, nobody was reprimanded, nobody fined, and nobody sent to prison for a murder.
It is amazing how the "Drug War" has enabled our police forces to expand their power and take away individuals rights to safety, security and privacy. It is also amazing how our fine Government officials who write the drug laws seem to ignore the "collateral damage" from the laws they enact.
I discovered this web site which keeps a log of the more well-known deaths due to that collateral damage:
Drug War Victims « Drug WarRant It astounds me to read the stories of the various victims. I'm sure this list is just the "tip of the iceberg" -- there are thousands of people in prison who have been framed by police, or for possession of small amounts of ilicit drugs. Those individuals lives are ruined forever, and, if released from prison will never be able to get a decent job etc because of that arrest.
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