Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 07/23/09
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Tonight, we have breaking news on the Michael Jackson death investigation. 360's Randi Kaye has uncovered what authorities took from Jackson's doctor's office in Houston. We also have new insight on Jackson's last days.
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I think the investigation may uncover some other interesting things about the doctors involvements. Not so much related to M.J., but they may uncover some not so glamorous dealings.
Being on your own property does not exempt you from the law.
what does Gates driver have to say, has anyone interviewed him as I assume he was there the whole time
The officer should've been professional and just left the house. I wish I could arrest everyone that says something I don't like.
you have to consider the perspectives from gates and the Crowleys vantage point and each mans position. Then throw in history, society and the media and you get a very volatile event. U must think past standard procedure.
when are we going to hear the 911 phone call about the black men breaking in. this is were the problem started. the officer just continued the injustice by not believing the professor lived there.
Prof Boyce made a number of excellent points on the air that everyone needs to consider, Sgt Crowley followed proper procedure when responding to report of a potential break in, just because Skip Gates identified himself as owning the home, doens't necessary entitle him to be in the home. The police need to verify that a jilted spouse isn't in the home attempting to do harm to their current/former spouse. Put yourself in the policeman's shoes for just one minute and undertry to understand the very difficult and dangerous job they have. Skip Gates elevated this a level it didn't need to go.
Anderson,
Mr. Gates was charged with Disorderly Conduct as a burglary suspect. Was it against the law to ask for a name and badge number? What did officer Crowley fear, when Dr. Gates asked for his crendentials? Embarrassment, Stupidity, or Guilt?
i am studying to be a cop, and the police officer was right to arrest him. if you verbally abuse a cop we have to arrest you.
Hi Anderson,
When the officer found out it was Gates house, he should have backed off, the conversation or comments of Gates should not have negated the fact that the man was not breaking into the house, which is what the officer was investigating. Although the officer did not like the comments of Gates that was a personal problem not a crime . All to often the public is afraid to speak their minds to the police in fear of being arrested. When did it start that the police can not be told They are Wrong, without the fear of being arrestred.
First, Obama had no place in making the comments he did. He wasn't there. If I had acted as has been stated in the police report, I know I would be arrested for disorderly conduct. A policeman was doing his job and some tired, irate professor was probably insulted, especially since this policeman "didn't know who he was dealing with." Lesson learned, don't smart off to the cops.
Kathy I agree with you 100%. Since Officer Crowley has taught classes on race and thus should understand how the situation could get out of hand, he should have used that supposed experience to the diffuse the situation. Instead he arrested a respected and highly acclaimed Harvard professor. and has made no effort to seek compromise. No instead he makes a statement that he will not apologize at all. Give me a break.
Pres. Obama felt very passionately about the situation perhaps at one time himself being racially profiled by a police officer. The sad truth is that most black men at some point in their lifetime will encounter this type of incident. As far as Pres. Obama speaking out, he should have definitely stayed away from the issue because America just may not be comfortably just yet.
Erin Andrews is hot! But peeping is sick!
We all need to know the facts before we pass judgement about this case. I have been a policeman for over 24 years. a black policeman.
I'm reading comments on here saying that Gates should have just cooperated with the police officer. I think you guys have it the wrong way. It is the police officers job to establish whether a crime was committed. The caller stated that they thought someone was breaking in. Once the Officer had established that, his job was done. It doesn't matter what Gates said to him. It is not unlawful to curse at police officers. It is not unlawful to argue with police officers. Upon establishing ownership or right of residence, the police officer should of just left. The officer got into his personal feelings, and arrested him not on law, but on a personal bias. That is actually an abuse of power.
Sometimes, as a black man, I feel police are pre-determined to take someone to jail. It's something like, " I was called, and I will deliver." Sometimes police (like the suspects) just need to calm down and practice good citizenship. Just maybe, more of us ( citizens) will trust them.
"stupidly" President Obama was judgemental by using such word..
@Anderson. Why isn't CNN tracking down the other witnesses like the woman who called 911 and the other officers present?
Arrested for disorderly conduct in your home alone??? When is the last time that happened to a 60 year old white male with a cane?
Did you really ask what folk about feeling as if they have been stopped because of their race? Of course not, it doesn't happen to them.
as an african canadian i dont think president obama should get involve in what took place between that police man and that professor.had it been a black police that did the arress what would they say .i dont think we should blame every thing as racist.
I just wanted to comment on the arrest of the Harvard Professor. I an watching the show and I wanted make a comment as to Roland M. and the other gentleman. It doesn't matter what I have to say to the cop, he should just walk away. I have seen and been the subject of cops thinking that they can say anything to us and we are not suppose to say anything back. I just want to know who would the cop feel if the shoe was on the other foot and what would he say. We have the freedom of speech except for when a cop is around. I don't know all the facts of the case so I am just commenting on what the two gentlemen were discussing on your show. Thank you
Hi Anderson - thanks for pushing the limit
The whole Gates issue is blown out of proportion. Here is what should have happened..
Sgt Crowley: Sir, a neighbor reported a possible break-in, are you the owner of this home.
Mr. Gates: yes officer, I'm the owner here is my id, the door was jammed so I had but put more pressure on it to open
Sgt Crowley: Dispatch this officer Crowley please confirm that Henry Louis Gates live at this address. "Confirmation received." Mr. Gates have a good day.
Mr. Gates : Thank you officer. Have a good day.
That should have been the end of it.
I can't say this cop was racist, but what I belived happened was what Gates had to say mad the cop mad, he was yelling, etc. The cop got mad and arrested him for Disorderly. Which is what cops do when a suspect gets them mad and lips off. I have been a cop for over 20 years. I have made those types of arrests because I have nothing else on the guy. Plus if you think there might be a complaint make an arrest to show you have something. I have mellowed over the years and tend not to make those types of arrest anymore. 1. They never go anywhere as far as prosecution. 2. Too much paperwork. Now I just let them vent, which this guy was probably doing and walk away, even if I am P.O.ed. it ain't worth it.
Hello Erica! Sorry to hear you missed seeing BIA 2 tonight. It was good.
I'm looking forward to your report on how one can videotape a person in their hotel room through the door's peep hole! As a woman, this is alarming and I'm afraid its going to make me think twice about running around my hotel room half dressed....
President Obama answered a very good question with a very good answer. However, when has it been a crime to ask an officer for his name and badge.......... don't they ask us for our name and address? As an African American, I too have been threatened with arrest after a bogus traffic stop and search of my car. When I asked for the officer's name and badge number. When asked "arrest" for what....... it was told to me for "disorderly conduct". Disorderly?
I read the report; and it was obvious that the officer got angry because the professor did not give him what he consider was the proper respect of his office.
Why didn't the Profiling Subject Matter Expert take the highroad, thank the professor Gates for his cooperations which would have defused the situation, and walked away?
Thanks for blogging with us Anderson.
Roland was right, the police have complete control over what goes into a police report, so i personally do not trust the report as being completely accurate.
The Prof. Gates situation is disturbing and really does remind us that police can do pretty much what they want to.
I have known many police officers, almost all of them are dedicated to serve us and keep us safe....however, some get carried away with the power they have. It's a shame.
erica soledads 2nd half of "black in ammerica"is fery good you must watch it
Anderson Cooper asked Professor Boyce a question: Should the officer have arrested Pro. Gates after he proved that he was a resident of the home, despite his argumentive behavior (Pro. Gates). Professor Boyce did not answer the question. What is the answer?
the police report says that he was in public, no he was at home, he was upset why because even after establishing that this is my house, it wasnt good enough, and you want to talk back to me, oh no you will pay, and so he was arrested ..... do you think anderson cooper would have been arrested in the same scenario?
AC perception is reality so everybody is right? Very interesting point. So who is right in this particular case. The state rep or the citizen?
RE: Jacksons Drs...too little too late...where was the concern when he was alive if so many thought his drug use was an issue
Great show Anderson! The whole Prof. Gates case is a mess! Yes, our country still struggles with race relations, but it is hard to categorize this as racial profiling because it appears that both parties were wrong on many levels.
At least Prof Gates knows 1st HAND what its like to be a black man in 90% of MOST american Cities AS WE SPEAK! its news because it happend to him! however that same situation goes on EVERY DAY! for blackmen across this country, strange his neighbors didnt know the only BLACK man in the area, im sure there are NO OTHERS.
Maybe they should arrest the people across the street who called the police. They did say two "black" guys.
Re: Black in America. Did not like the clip on the "Tuxedo Ball" – don't think it belong in the script. It just showed some "upidy" black showing off and protraying themselves different from the rest of us. In the eyes of God, there is no high or low!
I think it was two egos colliding and neither ego wanted to back down.
If it was a black police officier this would not even be an issue.
To be honest, I am so tired of black people acting as though they are the victims all the time, get over it.
What about white people who are miss treated by black people?
Regardless of who said what, the officer abused his power when he arrested him. If the officer cannot even now see that he should not have arrested him he should not continue to be an officer.
Police officers need to treat people better than they do
Love the President, but think he should have known better.
I've worked in the Law Enforcement profession over 17 years.
Based on what I've heard, there is absolutely no reason how, being verbally abusive towards an officers, meets the elements of disorderly conduct, when a person has proof of living and identification, that they reside in their own house. This seems to be another case of "POP" arrest. You figure it out.
I think the President should have use another word instead of stupidly.
RE: Dona Evans July 23rd, 2009 10:10 pm ET
How can you be disorderly in your own home?
-You can't, it has to be public. The officer intentionally asked Gates to step outside of his home so he could arrest him. This is probably why the charge was dropped.
Anderson. I agree with the earlier blogger that we may never know the full story. For the person who felt the President should have not commented, remember the first George Bush chastised the LA police for their treatment of Rodney King. Many felt he should not have made that comment!
It is always amazing how two ppl can view the same situation in opposing ways....reminds me of my mother and me!
What many people are not looking at is the idea that Police do not just "accept" a drivers license until they validate it by calling it in for validation.
I can make a fake ID on my computer in 1/2 hour. What the Prof should have done is exit the house and allow the Police to validate his ID.
But he had a chip on his shoulder and acted accordingly.
There's three sides to this story. What Professor Gates said happened, the police's story, and what really happened.
We may never know what truly occurred inside the home of the Professor.