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Re: Statement by Bret Rawson, attorney for West Valley City Detective Kevin Salmon ("D.A. faults WVC cops in death of 21-year-old," Tribune, Aug. 9):
I am utterly shocked by the ignorance displayed by Mr. Rawson in his response to Sim Gill's finding that the death of Danielle Willard was not justified.
The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that "for deadly force to be constitutional when an arrest is taking place, it must be the reasonable choice under all the circumstances at the time."
As an attorney, Mr. Rawson should understand that this rule implies a requirment that a police officer to objectively assess the situation before using deadly force. In other words, he or she must hesitate before acting.
I would ask Mr. Rawson if he would prefer that a police officer hesitate before using deadly force against him or his family? Perhaps had Detective Salmon hesitated before deciding to act, the events taking place on Nov. 2 would have been different?
Chris Alberico
West Valley City