Behind Turkey’s Actions in Syria: A Fear of Waning Influence

February 17, 2018 by admin
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The Turkish offensive against the Kurds that has brought Turkey to the brink of conflict with the U.S. comes as the country is fighting to preserve its leverage in a fractured Syria.

Ankara has much to be concerned about. The Syrian Kurds, allied with the U.S., have been expanding their presence on Turkey’s border. Russia and Iran, allied with Syria’s Assad regime, have been making deep inroads in Syria. And the Syrian rebels allied with Turkey appear to be losing their fight in a final stand in northwestern Syria.

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Jury awards more than $37M to family of Korryn Gaines in civil case against Baltimore County

February 17, 2018 by admin
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A Baltimore County jury has ruled in favor of the family of Korryn Gaines — awarding more than $37 million in damages in the civil lawsuit regarding the Randallstown woman who was shot and killed by police after a six-hour standoff in 2016.

The jury of six women found that the first shot from the police officer who fired at Gaines, killing her and injuring her then-5-year-old son, Kodi, was not reasonable, and therefore violated their civil rights under state and federal statutes.

The jury awarded more than $32 million to Kodi in damages, and $4.5 million for his sister, Karsyn.

Gaines’ father and mother were awarded $300,000 and $307,000, respectively, and the Gaines estate was awarded $300,000. No punitive damages were awarded.

The jury took less than three hours to reach its verdict against the Baltimore County government and Cpl. Royce Ruby, who fired the shots at Gaines.

There were gasps in the courtroom when the jury forewoman read the jury’s decision in the case, and Gaines family members were in tears following the announcement.

Kenneth Ravenell, the attorney for Kodi’s father, Corey Cunningham, said they were “blessed” that the jury “quickly, swiftly returned a justified verdict on behalf of a 6-year-old child who was victimized by Officer Royce Ruby.”

“This is a great day. This is a great statement on behalf of many who have been victimized by police officers — too many — in our community,” Ravenell said.

Gaines’ mother, Rhanda Dormeus, spoke to reporters through tears outside the courthouse.

“This win is for all of my sisters in the movement who have lost their children to police violence,” she said. “Some of them have never received justice, either criminally or civil. I just want to tell them that this win is for them,” she said.

Baltimore County government attorney Mike Field issued a statement after the jury’s verdict, saying the county is “disappointed” with the decision and “is reviewing all of its options, including an appeal.”

“A mother died, a child was unintentionally injured, and police officers were placed in mortal danger. By any account, this was a tragic situation,” Field said in the statement.

Through a spokesman, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz declined to comment. Kamenetz, a Democrat, is running for governor.

A representative of Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4 said the union had no comment on the verdict.

Council Chairman Julian Jones, a Woodstock Democrat, said the case should prompt review of police department policies. Jones’ district includes Randallstown.

“I just think we should really review our policies, not just Baltimore County police, but all police… in terms of when it’s necessary to shoot and is there an alternative to shooting,” Jones said.

He also expressed concern over the cost of the case to taxpayers at a time when county leaders are “arguing over whether we can afford a school or can’t afford a school.”

“That’s the cost of an elementary school,” Jones said of the multimillion verdict.

While Gaines’ family and attorneys expressed relief the jury agreed with them and found the shooting was wrong, some said they were frustrated Ruby is still on the police force. Ruby was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and was not charged. He has since been promoted from the rank of officer to corporal.

The outcome comes after nearly three weeks of testimony and legal arguments over the events that led up to the fatal shooting on Aug. 1, 2016.

Gaines’ family sued the county and Cpl. Royce Ruby, the officer who fired the shots, alleging civil rights violations, and had sought more than $42 million for the woman’s estate and survivors.

Gaines had broadcast part of the standoff on social media. The case garnered national attention, with some activists citing it as an example of excessive police force against people of color.

In defense closing arguments Friday, Assistant County Attorney James S. Ruckle Jr. attempted to make the case that Ruby acted reasonably and out of fear that other officers could be hurt or killed.

He walked the jurors through the events of the day, starting with two officers who tried to serve arrest warrants on Gaines and her fiance at about 9 a.m. No one would open the apartment door, which officers eventually kicked in, Ruckle said.

The first officer who entered the apartment was “confronted with Korryn Gaines with a shotgun pointed right at him.”

Gaines’ fiance left with their infant daughter, but Gaines remained behind with 5-year-old Kodi. Tactical officers soon took over for the patrol officers, stationed in the hallway outside of the Randallstown apartment for six hours. Much of the time, Ruby was stationed outside the apartment door, which was cracked open.

Ruckle told the jury that Ruby was at risk of being injured, should Gaines fire her shotgun. Though Ruby was wearing tactical gear, including a protective vest and helmet, his arms, legs and face were exposed, Ruckle said.

Ruckle said Ruby decided to shoot after he saw Gaines’ braids and the barrel of her shotgun rise from behind a wall.

“What Cpl. Ruby was doing was attempting to end, terminate the threat,” Ruckle said.

He said that when Ruby fired through the doorway and a wall toward Gaines, he aimed to where he thought Gaines was, and high enough to be above Kodi’s head, in case the boy was near his mother.

Ruckle had suggested Gaines was at fault for putting Kodi in harm’s way by allowing him, at times, to stand in front of her as she had her shotgun in her lap. “What parent puts their kid in front of a shotgun?” Ruckle asked.

He said it was Gaines who set the events in motion that led to hear death.

Ruckle also disputed the damage requests, suggesting the jury only look at costs such as the $7,000 for Gaines’ funeral and $23,000 for Kodi’s past medical bills.

In rebuttal, Kenneth Ravenell, who represents Kodi, said his client did nothing to deserve getting shot and watching his mother die. He called Ruby’s decision to fire “reckless.”

“He’s a victim of an unreasonable shot by Ruby that should not have occurred,” he said.

And J. Wyndal Gordon, representing the estate and other relatives, said Ruby didn’t make a split-second decision to shoot Gaines. “He waited for the opportune time to make that decision,” Gordon said.

Gordon also suggested that Gaines posed no immediate threat to police.

“She wasn’t a threat the entire day,” he said.

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Jury awards more than $37M to family of Korryn Gaines in civil case against Baltimore County