Excessive use of force: Autopsy finds 39 bullet wounds on man shot by police

[ryanmercer]

39 bullet wounds found on man shot by police | ajc.com

By TIM EBERLY

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

An autopsy on a man killed in a July gunfight with Atlanta police revealed the man had several gunshot wounds to the back but could not confirm what his family claimed — that an officer stood over Montellis Clark’s body and fired numerous shots into his back.

The autopsy on Clark, 28, revealed a total of 39 gunshot entrance wounds — five in his back, according to the autopsy report obtained Tuesday by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through an Open Records Act request.

Clark’s gunshot injuries included 19 wounds to the chest and back, 12 to his legs, six to his arms and one wound each to his buttocks and neck.

But it’s possible that some wounds were caused by the same bullet if, for instance, a bullet pierced Clark’s arm before entering his stomach, said Dr. Karen Sullivan of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, who performed the autopsy July 16.

[Emodude]

Its self defense and as I was trained as long as the lungs hold air the man carries the message

[ryanmercer]

Originally Posted by Emodude

Its self defense and as I was trained as long as the lungs hold air the man carries the message

Oooh I see that is your first post. Welcome to the site!

[Metro 40]

Killed in a gunfight. As in, he was shooting at the police.

No such thing as excessive force when somebody's trying to kill you. You shoot them to the ground, period. And if they're still trying to kill you, you shoot them some more.

There are lots of reasons why this dirtbag could have bullet wounds in the back. Even the news story, which is WAY short on facts, admits that the Fulton County ME office doesn't even know exactly how many bullets were fired, or what path they took. Exit wounds, maybe? Funny how the story says "39 entrance wounds," but then says that at least one bullet made multiple wounds.

Besides all of this, police are legally justified in shooting a fleeing felon who has committed a violent, forcible felony, in order to prevent his escape. You can't shoot at people, then turn around and run away and expect to be given a free pass.

[Crystalship1]

Suicide by cop!!!

Standing by for Prometheus' take on this one....................

[Denny347]

Is there such a thing as "excessive deadly force"? There is no force greater than deadly force. So excessive would have to be force greater than deadly. Would eternal damnation force be greater than deadly force?

[techres]

My dad said that if you have to shoot him then, "Shoot 'em to the ground!" Not my job to determine how long it takes to get him on that ground.

If you have 4 officers with 17 rounds per mag, and they all open up then the math says: 68 potential hits.

These stories are dumb. Unless you are claiming desecration of a corpse, I just don't get it.

[DRob]

I can't quote this word for word or cite the article but the gist of a similar event in Florida is: After killing an officer, a man died in a shootout with police. He was shot a large number of times, let's say 42 just so we'll have a number. The Sheriff (hisself) was interviewed by a TV reporter who asked why officers shot the guy 42 times. The answer was........ that's all the ammo they had.

[rjwin1967]

These things happen when you shoot at the police. After the first round is fired, the paperwork is the same. Many people have been killed by wounded opponents. In a gun fight, the loser usually dies. What kind of coroner or ME wouldn't know an exit wound from an entrance wound anyway. Oh, i forgot. They're in Fulton County. That says it all.

[Hoosier8]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Is there such a thing as "excessive deadly force"? There is no force greater than deadly force. So excessive would have to be force greater than deadly. Would eternal damnation force be greater than deadly force?

I almost blew my drink out my nose. I am using this one! Thanks.