It managed to make national news, but in case you haven't heard about the recent incident:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/14/justice/maryland-beating/index.html?hpt=ju_c2
Now, in all the reports I've seen the news crew ends up making some comments about how they're shocked the onlookers didn't do anything, and I thought the same thing.
Until I had a moment of introspection.
It occured to me that the most one is really legally allowed to do in a situation like that is to call the police and film from a distance.
Telling those assaulting the man to stop would not only would be dangerous to myself but could also be considered a provocation that will nullify claims of self defense should they choose to attack.
Anything more than a verbal response rapidly increases the chance of landing yourself in court. Brandishing certainly would I think.
So, presuming somebody called the cops, maybe the people filming this event did exactly the right thing as our society is structured. And instead of getting a bad rap they should be given some praise for getting some solid evidence and doing as much as they can in our legal structure for anything less than an imminent murder or maybe a rape.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/14/justice/maryland-beating/index.html?hpt=ju_c2
Now, in all the reports I've seen the news crew ends up making some comments about how they're shocked the onlookers didn't do anything, and I thought the same thing.
Until I had a moment of introspection.
It occured to me that the most one is really legally allowed to do in a situation like that is to call the police and film from a distance.
Telling those assaulting the man to stop would not only would be dangerous to myself but could also be considered a provocation that will nullify claims of self defense should they choose to attack.
Anything more than a verbal response rapidly increases the chance of landing yourself in court. Brandishing certainly would I think.
So, presuming somebody called the cops, maybe the people filming this event did exactly the right thing as our society is structured. And instead of getting a bad rap they should be given some praise for getting some solid evidence and doing as much as they can in our legal structure for anything less than an imminent murder or maybe a rape.
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