Told ya they’re dirty!

[sensitiveguy]

ATLANTA - (AP) A former Atlanta police officer on trial for a botched drug raid that led to the death of a 92-year-old woman said Wednesday he went along with a cover-up because he felt threatened by his fellow officers.

Kathryn Johnston was shot 39 times as plainclothes narcotics officers busted into her house using a "no-knock" warrant on Nov. 26, 2006. During nearly eight hours of testimony, Arthur Tester said he was instructed by two other officers after the shooting to memorize a cover-up story that they had witnessed an informant buying drugs at Johnston's home.

Tester also told the jury in Fulton County Superior Court that he didn't know officer Jason R. Smith had lied to a judge to get the warrant and then planted drugs in Johnston's basement to back up the story. In his often tearful testimony, Tester said he eventually decided to cooperate with federal investigators because he "couldn't take it anymore."

"A woman was dead and they were trying to implicate me in their story," Tester said. "I didn't lay a hand on this woman. I wanted nothing to do with it."

Prosecutors say Tester had opportunities to tell the truth but decided to do so only when federal agents told him they knew he was lying.

Tester was in the backyard of Johnston's home during the raid, during which Johnston fired one shot from a pistol as police were breaking down her door. She did not hit any of the officers.

Fulton County prosecutor Kelly S. Hill has said even though Tester never fired a shot, he shared responsibility for Johnston's death because he went along with a lie.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who was sitting in the courtroom during the morning, called Tester's testimony "chilling" and the shooting "a complete disregard for the criminal justice system."

Tesler is charged with lying in an official investigation, violating his oath as an officer and false imprisonment. The trial is likely to be the only one in the Johnston shooting because former officers Gregg Junnier and Smith have already pleaded guilty to state manslaughter and federal civil rights charges. Junnier testified against Tesler last week.

The fatal shooting led to sharp criticism of the police department, and a shake-up of the narcotics unit, which Tester's attorney, William McKenney, has said routinely planted drugs and lied to obtain search warrants. It also prompted a review of how officers obtain and use no-knock warrants, which are intended to keep drug suspects from having time to destroy evidence.

Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning.

[TUCKER]

DOES ART IMITATE LIFE OR DOES LIFE IMITATE ART, to wit "TRAINING DAY!" DENZEL told y'all he was badder dan KANG KONG didn't he!? (LMAO)

[sensitiveguy]

Originally Posted by TUCKER

DOES ART IMITATE LIFE OR DOES LIFE IMITATE ART, to wit "TRAINING DAY!" DENZEL told y'all he was badder dan KANG KONG didn't he!? (LMAO)

And, you saw what happened to him at the end of the movie, didn’t you? LOL

While Denzel did a helluva job in this movie, I wish he hadn’t gotten the Oscar for this role. Will Smith was nominated in the same category for his role in “Ali” that year and frankly, I thought he was more deserving of it. There is no doubt that Denzel is a dynamic actor but I just find it hard to believe that out of the impressive body of work he has amassed over the years, they would pick “Training Day” of all movies. Ah, but I guess it would have been expecting too much for Hollywood to recognize his knockout, Oscar-worthy performances in "Malcolm X" or "Hurricane". LOL

[TUCKER]

Ah, but I guess it would have been expecting too much for Hollywood to recognize his knockout, Oscar-worthy performances in "Malcolm X" or "Hurricane". LOL
[/color]

I totally agree, but Hollywood wanted an anti hero at that time. Denzel's character was truly a departure from the style and roles that have endeared him to the public over the years. What it did was demonstrated to the world that he has "RANGE," and he was recognized for having the nerve to demonstrate it in that role.

They took an extremely cheap shot when the oscar went to 666MAFIA for that crappy song from that crappy movie HUSTLE AND FLOW I think it was. Somebody owed somebody obviously.

Speaking of range, there was a movie sometime ago called HOLIDAY HART. It starred Ving RHYMES as a cross dressing gay man trying to raise a little girl. Great movie and Rhymes managed to pull it off. I couldn't believe he did it, but he did!

[cc5k]

Originally Posted by sensitiveguy

And, you saw what happened to him at the end of the movie, didn’t you? LOL

While Denzel did a helluva job in this movie, I wish he hadn’t gotten the Oscar for this role. Will Smith was nominated in the same category for his role in “Ali” that year and frankly, I thought he was more deserving of it. There is no doubt that Denzel is a dynamic actor but I just find it hard to believe that out of the impressive body of work he has amassed over the years, they would pick “Training Day” of all movies. Ah, but I guess it would have been expecting too much for Hollywood to recognize his knockout, Oscar-worthy performances in "Malcolm X" or "Hurricane". LOL

I think you're confusing the difference between being a good actor and playing a good character.

Denzel did a kick ass job in Training Day of playing a horrible cop.

[huggylowdown]

Originally Posted by sensitiveguy

ATLANTA - (AP) A former Atlanta police officer on trial for a botched drug raid that led to the death of a 92-year-old woman said Wednesday he went along with a cover-up because he felt threatened by his fellow officers.

Kathryn Johnston was shot 39 times as plainclothes narcotics officers busted into her house using a "no-knock" warrant on Nov. 26, 2006. During nearly eight hours of testimony, Arthur Tester said he was instructed by two other officers after the shooting to memorize a cover-up story that they had witnessed an informant buying drugs at Johnston's home.

Tester also told the jury in Fulton County Superior Court that he didn't know officer Jason R. Smith had lied to a judge to get the warrant and then planted drugs in Johnston's basement to back up the story. In his often tearful testimony, Tester said he eventually decided to cooperate with federal investigators because he "couldn't take it anymore."

"A woman was dead and they were trying to implicate me in their story," Tester said. "I didn't lay a hand on this woman. I wanted nothing to do with it."

Prosecutors say Tester had opportunities to tell the truth but decided to do so only when federal agents told him they knew he was lying.

Tester was in the backyard of Johnston's home during the raid, during which Johnston fired one shot from a pistol as police were breaking down her door. She did not hit any of the officers.

Fulton County prosecutor Kelly S. Hill has said even though Tester never fired a shot, he shared responsibility for Johnston's death because he went along with a lie.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who was sitting in the courtroom during the morning, called Tester's testimony "chilling" and the shooting "a complete disregard for the criminal justice system."

Tesler is charged with lying in an official investigation, violating his oath as an officer and false imprisonment. The trial is likely to be the only one in the Johnston shooting because former officers Gregg Junnier and Smith have already pleaded guilty to state manslaughter and federal civil rights charges. Junnier testified against Tesler last week.

The fatal shooting led to sharp criticism of the police department, and a shake-up of the narcotics unit, which Tester's attorney, William McKenney, has said routinely planted drugs and lied to obtain search warrants. It also prompted a review of how officers obtain and use no-knock warrants, which are intended to keep drug suspects from having time to destroy evidence.

Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning.

i hate cops b/c they lie their ass off just to lock you up.

[sensitiveguy]

Originally Posted by cc5k

I think you're confusing the difference between being a good actor and playing a good character.

Denzel did a kick ass job in Training Day of playing a horrible cop.

I’m not confused. Yes, he did a wonderful job as he does with every role. I just hate that Hollywood didn’t see fit to reward him with an Oscar UNTIL he played this type of --what I think is a-- stereotypical role.