Part A. (Graham v. Connor) 75 words
Look up the landmark case Graham v. Connor.
Give an overview of the decision of Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 38.
· Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling?
· Does the court go far enough with this landmark decision? Why or why not.
· If you were the officer on the case, what would you have done?
· What details would have impacted your decision?
· How do you define “reasonable?”
Part B. Major Crime in Your Community 2 pages
Use the Internet to search for a recent major crime in FL
· Write a report (narrative only) based on the account of the incident, using the outline process mentioned in chapter three of the course text.
· You may simulate interviews and “fill in” any unknown information required to complete the report.
· Be sure to include the characteristics of an effective police report covered in chapter three.
Part C. JonBenet Ramsey 1 page
Background Information
JonBenet Ramsey was a 6-year-old beauty queen who was found murdered in her parents’ Boulder, Colorado, home on December 26, 1996. Still unsolved, the murder led to one of the most publicized police investigations of the 1990s. Several crime scene preservation mistakes were made that day, but one of the mistakes discussed in this weeks’ studies is specifically mentioned.
· Can you identify that mistake? Share your insights
Additional Resources that may help with your assignment…
View this short video clip:
“Boulder Detective on the Ramsey Case says she knows who killed JonBenet Ramsey”
Published by Karie Allison, taken from ABC News “Time Tunnel”
http://youtu.be/-Aly2fPK-XE
Part D. Terry v. Ohio 75 words
Review the case Terry v. Ohio
· Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling? Why or why not.
Some say this decision opens the door to abuse by police officers meaning they will use the decision to inappropriately target people.
Also, find some current events that pertain to this case, and be prepared to cite and summarize those news stories in your post.
Include the following:
Give an overview of the decision of Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968).
Look for some cases that have made the news in the past three months regarding this topic. Provide a brief summary and include your thoughts about how you would have handled the situation if you were on the case. What factors would impact your decision?
Part E. Katie Eastburn
Background Information
In May 1985, Kathryn “Katie” Eastburn and her two daughters, Kara, 5, and Erin, 3, were murdered in their home, on the outskirts of Fayetteville, N.C., near Fort Bragg. Police found Katie next to her bed, raped and murdered. Two of her three daughters were also stabbed to death, their throats cut.
Instructions
Watch this YouTube video of the crime, making notes on your observations. Then you will assume the role of criminal investigator and, based on our studies this week, you are to write out your interrogation of the suspect in this case, Tim Hennis. In doing so, you can make the following assumptions:
· This interrogation occurs after Hennis is arrested and charged through the military (the second time)
· Hennis has been read his Miranda rights and has waived his rights (agreed to speak with you about the case)
Remember, in the second trial Hennis changes his story a little by claiming he and Katie had consensual sex, but he still maintains he didn’t kill her or her children. That being said, Hennis is not offering any information you don’t ask for, but freely answers any questions you ask him.
Your should be very detailed to include:
1. the location, date, and time of the interview
2. anyone you would have present
3. the method of documentation (if any)
4. information you would use from the first trial (if any) during the interrogation
5. a detailed description of techniques you would use with your questioning
6. a detailed description of the approach you will use when asking questions
7. specifically, what type of questions you would ask (from the five types listed in the textbook – you may use more than one)
8. what, if any, legal deception techniques you might use during the questioning (remember, just because he is answering your questions does not mean he is telling you everything)
9. and finally, once all of the above is laid out, provide a DETAILED list of specific questions you are going to ask
It is expected you will ensure all the information covered in Chapter 6 of CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ISBN/SKU: 9781285862613
Additional Resources that may help with your assignment…
The story of this murder is laid out in this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmH00rza5Ds (41 minutes; published by TVTrue1)
Part F. Use of Force 75 words
Locate the Use of Force Continuum for the police department that has jurisdiction in FL (this is normally posted on their website. If not, you will have to ask them for it).
Is the department’s policy regarding the use of force appropriate for the level of resistance? Why or why not?
Find some recent (in that past three months) news stories that involve use of force.
Your initial post should include…
Cite and summarize the Use of Force continuum used by your police department, as well as the current events stories you found.
From the current events stories, briefly describe the actions that induced the use of force.
How would you have responded if you were the officer on the case?
How do you think our society at large should address use of force?
Part G. Ferguson, MO and the Michael Brown Shooting 2 pages
Read the attached Case regarding Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO.
Next, in your written assignment, you are to take a position on this case, not based on emotion, but based on the facts and the two applicable pieces of case law we covered this week; Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 109 S. Ct. (1989) and Tennessee v. Garner 471 U.S. 1 (1985).
It is imperative your submission justify your stance through the reference of these two case law decisions and how those decisions are applied in use of force decisions by police officers.
Finally, in your summary, you are to give your personal view on whether or not these two case law decisions were applied properly in this case and why.
Part H. Megan’s Law 75 words
On July 27, 1994, 7-year-old Megan Kanka was coaxed into a known pedophile’s house with the promise of seeing a new puppy. He then raped and killed her. As a direct result, Megan’s Law was signed into law on Oct. 31, 1994. There has been much controversy and many court challenges to this law due to questions about its constitutionality. Some praised the law, yet civil rights activists claimed it was enacted in a wave of public outrage and that it labels people who pose little danger to society as dangerous. Those who oppose the law say there is negligible evidence it has done any good. Even so the law has been enacted by all 50 states and the federal government.
Your should include…
· In your first post, give an overview of the Megan’s law and any follow-up legislation.
· Next state your stance on any Pros/Cons to this law.
· Do you agree or disagree with this type of legislation? Why or why not.
· In your opinion, do laws like this present any constitutional issues? Why or why not?
