RantCrush

RantCrush Top 5: June 20, 2017

By  | 

Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

Prev2 of 5Next

Pregnant Woman Fatally Shot by Police in Seattle

On Sunday, Seattle police officers fatally shot a pregnant 30-year-old mother of four in her home. Charleena Lyles had previous encounters with law enforcement due to her mental health issues. Lyles reportedly survived physical and sexual abuse throughout her childhood. The father of her two youngest children was also violent and abusive, even after she obtained a restraining order. Lyles had sought mental health help in the months leading up to her death and had seen a therapist several times.

The police claim that Lyles was holding a knife when the officers arrived at her house at 10 a.m., which isn’t that strange given that she had reported a burglary and called 911. Both officers fired their guns instead of trying to disarm her. Lyles was black and both officers are white. Her children were in the home when she was killed.

Now people are outraged that a woman who called the cops for help was killed for no apparent reason.

Emma Von Zeipel
Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

  • Sign up for RantCrush, where we take you through the top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy every weekday!

Comments

comments

Send this to friend