Teenager allegedly beaten by police set to receive $885,000 from city

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 16, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.

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Photo by Courtesy photo: News2

Juan Vasquez

Charles Porter

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Comments

October 16, 2008

4:06 p.m.

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dirkle writes:

Quote: "the officers kicked and beat the teen and then officer Charles Porter allegedly joined in and jumped up and down on his back while holding onto the top of a fence."

Are you f#@king kidding me?? After he endorses the $885,000 check, Mayor Hick needs to have a serious "come-to-Jesus" with our current (possibly former) chief of police.

That's YOUR MONEY that Charles Porter just threw away, Denver. Do you CARE?
October 16, 2008

4:09 p.m.

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wyhammertime writes:

Well ther goes the dnc proffits
October 16, 2008

4:14 p.m.

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BRM writes:

Keep your eye on the criminal trial. That's when Porter will get off with a slap on the wrist (when a jumping on the back would be more fair), and yes, only the taxpayers will have lost anything. Poor kid. He'll likely grow up terrified of all police officers. Way to go Charles Porter!!
October 16, 2008

4:14 p.m.

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rdfland writes:

The DPD got off lucky with as many people they have beaten...the people should actually own the city.
October 16, 2008

4:34 p.m.

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UNV_ME writes:

Isn't this the kid that ran from police?

Play with matches... you get burned.
October 16, 2008

4:59 p.m.

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ifyem writes:

Well ther goes the dnc proffits.

Yeah, only another 100 lawsuits to go...I am sure there are already that many pending against the DPD...Where do they find these knucklehead cops anyways???
October 16, 2008

5:09 p.m.

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hoopoe36 writes:

UNV_ME - so you're saying that running from police justifies getting beaten and jumped on? I hope you get a little first-hand experience with Denver's finest. Might change your tune about our 'public servants'.
October 16, 2008

5:09 p.m.

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mrNiceGuy writes:

So insightful UNV_ME. This child should not have run from the police. That adult man who is not his father had the right to physically abuse him to the point that he will forever carry with him a urine bag. Seems like a reasonable punishment for someone who, at this time, has not been charged with a crime. I'm sure DPD is settling because they like him, not because they found any fault in the officer's actions.

Since it's clear you are unable to see the obvious, UNV, let me point it out to you - I'm being sarcastic. This man made a bad judgement which reflects him as a human. He is not mentally fit to be an officer of the law if he cannot control his temper and follow appropriate procedure - especially in the case of children.
October 16, 2008

5:18 p.m.

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sweetater writes:

Could this police officer be a relative of Orfacer(officer) Buster Snieder's? Or however that idiot spelled his name ? Or am I that old no one remembers him ?
October 16, 2008

5:21 p.m.

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purplewolf writes:

Denver and Aurora are both run like crime families and their police departments are run like street gangs. And as if that is not scary enough, the CIA and FBI are both infiltrating the entire metroplex area.
Citizens need to become more vocal and active against these institutions and progressions before it is too late, starting with opposition to building more detention facilities(the new Denver jail and the new immigration detention facility in Aurora)
To Teach Your Children Well
Never trade classrooms for cells.
October 16, 2008

5:26 p.m.

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scastaneda writes:

Cops almost always do their best job - just like you & me. One bad apple does not have to spoil the bunch. If you want to be mad, be mad at the lawyers and bureaucrats who REALLY cost you this money.
October 16, 2008

6:02 p.m.

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Duckster writes:

Once again, we need tort reform to prevent criminals from getting rich at the expense of the taxpayers.

If the officer's conduct was improper, he can surely be dealt with in a way that doesn't involve the taxpayers buying this kid's family a string of new cars and a plasma TV for every room in their house.

What we need is a nationwide law that says if you're involved in any sort of criminal activity and you get hurt or killed, you're barred from any financial recovery. We did this to an extent with "Son of Sam" laws that stop criminals from cashing in on book and movie deals...so let's take it farther and bar any cash awards to those injured as a result of their decision to do wrong.

http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/
October 16, 2008

7:04 p.m.

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haloguy628 writes:

Hey Duckster, last time I checked running is not a criminal offense. Secondary I have not heard anything about underage drinking charges as that was the "pretense" to harass the minors. I bet we would hear plenty if it was true as the SchutzStaffel boys would claim being in right.
What this was just routine harassment by cops that got out of hand cause the young "$hit" "dirtbag" "mexican" did not show proper deference to the cops and ran scared. So they got nasty and beat him up.
Now we taxpayers are out of 800k + cost of trial.
October 16, 2008

7:06 p.m.

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laughingman writes:

So tell us, Duckster...oh wisened one, what exactly was this child's crime? Does this article state that any crime was committed? If I were 12 or 13, I'd run from a skinhead-looking cop as well if he were badgering me. I'm sure that you, in all of your expert glory, were completely innocent at all times as a kid, right? Right? Huh? Never did anything wrong, did you?

So..you think it was cool of this guy to jump up and down on a child?? Do you really expect us to believe that this kid got "what he deserved"? Yes, there are real criminals out there that would deserve a serious beat down. I'd be the first in line to hand it to them. But you, on the other hand, support the body breaking tactics used on children. Wow. I'd hate to be your kid and accidentally spill something or come home a little too late.

Again, I ask you..where does it state the crime he had committed that was so deserving of this? For the love of god, I hope you don't have any kids...
October 16, 2008

7:41 p.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Nice Detailed article we have here. Very nice.

No mention of dept the cop was part of at the time. Would that explain how the 2 were put into the same location?

What this cop did was unforgivable. Terrible things should happen to him. But I would look and investigate where this money is going to go......

Schools for cells? Yes sure. If you catch the kids being recruited by gangs early enough. How early is early enough? 4th 5th Grades. People we have a growing gang population in the metro area. If not controlled, we are in for some wild times. The best part? Gangs are being protected by the police. Try and get gang information. You cant as most are underage. Understand protection of children, but these gangs are using it to their advantage. And we as citizens are being left with our arses hanging out and at risk from the gangs. Little we can do. Incidences like this do not help in the least.
FYI.......next new and exciting thing to happen to Denver and area? Increased Home invasions.....those where they bust in regardless of anyone being home or not.
October 16, 2008

8:01 p.m.

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Cwillyrun1 writes:

The only criminal in this is the cop. Wonder how he'd feel if he picked on someone his own size that won't take getting jumped on nicely. Tough guy to kids, but let's see the a-hole last a day in prison before he's someone's girlfriend.

One bad apple???? LMAO, if you've paid attention to the news in the last several months, there's a tree with several bad apples. Cops stalking ex-girlfriends, a cop shooting a dog running from him, cops pounding a guy's face into the pavement (and denying his story until the video came out), a cop physically assaulting a protester at the DNC. It's not just one bad apple! Too bad for the police officers that deserve the respect. We're finding out police officers are truly representative of the general public.... some are good, some are bad, and some are criminals.
October 16, 2008

8:40 p.m.

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Sundog writes:

The "Cops" program on TV has hundreds of cases of runners. It's a game played for the prize of freedom, frequently played with a wheezing and overweight cop heavily laden with gear huffing behind and often catching a drug-addled fugitive.
Many times the chase involves high speed vehicular flight that endangers innocent bystanders - clearly the fault of the fugitive and not, as the libs would like to propose, the cops.
"Halt or I'll shoot!" A warning and an actuality from the '40s. I'd really like to see it back in vogue. If it's a war on crime, lets not hoist a white flag just yet.
October 16, 2008

8:41 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

Why isn't he wearing orange? If any other CITIZEN did this, they would have the booking shot displayed over all the media...

I guess Denver hasn't lost it's KKK mentality yet;

( oh he's just a dumb ______, and we need to teach him who's boss around here )
October 16, 2008

10:31 p.m.

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dgodrummer writes:

This chump is a pathetic human being at most. Hopefully in his next life he'll come back as the kid he so brutally beat. I hope this whacko, doesn't have kids... ever.
October 17, 2008

2:15 a.m.

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happymike44 writes:

The problem is the kid ran.
Why because he didn't want to get in trouble.
Now the cops lie and say when they question you I am just trying to get the facts and figure out what happened.
They beat and molest people with weapons and sometimes the effects are deadly for the victim.
I am sorry to say if the kid is unhappy send him back to Mexico and let him spend his money there.
So the kid has the money what a price to pay for the amount of trauma inflicted on him.
October 17, 2008

3:43 a.m.

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snuffalupagus writes:

You know, I read all this anti-cop crap on here and a lot of you morons are defending this little punk gang banger. This little A hole got exactly what he deserved!!! Each and every one of you who are cop haters, I would like to send all of Juan's gang banging friends into your neighborhoods to sell their drugs and tag your walls and fences. You whine about police brutality until its something that directly affects you, then you wonder why the police do not do enough. So, in all ernest, just shut the "F" up and go bury your heads in the ground, just like an Ostrich and pretend we are living at Disneyland!!! Go Broncos!!!!
October 17, 2008

3:52 a.m.

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SoCol writes:

snuffalupagus- what's your source on his gang affiliation? or are you just making that up?
October 17, 2008

6:44 a.m.

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fiesty writes:

snuffalupagus - you are disgusting. Police officers are charged with upholding the law, not breaking it. Gangbanger or not, he did NOTHING in this case to deserve the treatment he got.

duckster - if you've been following the media coverage of this case, you wouldn't be so stupid as to make comments about the $$ being used on cars. He needs it for follow-up medical care! Either his sister or his aunt had to quit their job to take care of him. Your ignorance is as astounding as is snuffalupagus's comments.
October 17, 2008

6:55 a.m.

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Duckster writes:

The cop-haters here are probably the same ones that call 911 every time they see a band of brown-skinned kids loitering near their cars or homes. You always want the police to clean up messes in your neighborhoods, but then you're the first to attack when there's even an accusation that they did something wrong.

But the facts here should still bar recovery, at least in a country that isn't infested by liberals. The kid was a gang member, out on the streets after midnight, who ran from the police. He and his family are also in our country illegally (although you really have to search the net for that fact) and both facts should absolutely bar this hood rat and his family from seeing a dime. The only thing they should be seeing is the south side of our border fence after ICE deports them.

As for me, I stand behind our police officers. Even though a few may err every once in a while (because no one is 100% perfect, not even you haters), they're still good men out there doing a tough but necessary job that most of the haters wouldn't dream of doing.

http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/
October 17, 2008

7:06 a.m.

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SoCol writes:

duckster- same question for you. what's your source on his gang affiliation and illegal status. or do you just make stuff up also?
October 17, 2008

7:16 a.m.

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treecat writes:

'A teenager who claims he was severely injured when............'

After the award we still use terms that 'alledge'? The only criminal in this is the cop.
October 17, 2008

7:30 a.m.

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SoCol writes:

Surprise, surprise, no answer from duckster or snuffalupagus.
Listen up, knuckleheads, you seem to think cops can do no wrong.
I have a friend who is an attorney employed by the police force in a major metro area in another state whose job it is to defend officers accused of abuse of power, etc. He's a conservative thinking individual yet he told me when asked once that a large % (I believe he told me about half) of the officers charged were guilty as hell of abusing their power in numerous ways, violence included. That's straight from the horse's mouth.
October 17, 2008

7:35 a.m.

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LingLingfor_prez writes:

I still want to know why the kid ran. The reason the cops went to the kid has no bearing. What if they wanted to ask the kid if he saw someone in the area they were looking for? The kid still would have taken off. I think that we are missing a piece of information that only the kid could answer. Although in the end, the manner in how the police went about it was a bit too far.
October 17, 2008

7:37 a.m.

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Salchak_Toka writes:

$885 million would be more appropriate. Might be the only way to get phony Democrats and real Rethugs to take human and civil rights seriously for a change.
October 17, 2008

7:52 a.m.

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MeAgain writes:

It seems to me that I read somewhere this kid was drinking and in a gang and he ran from the police. Am I wrong? Did the kid himself ever get charged with anything like underage drinking or evading a police officer? It would be funny if his fine was $884,000.
There are too many cop haters in the metro. I wonder how much the guy who got shot in LoDo this morning will get now.
October 17, 2008

8:03 a.m.

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DahmersCookbook writes:

'One bad apple', if you follow the news closely you will see that DPD may only have one good apple. And he is the one who put
out the beating-promoting t-shirts
October 17, 2008

8:47 a.m.

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blacksho89 writes:

"Vasquez sustained broken ribs, a lacerated liver, ruptured spleen and damage to his kidneys in the alleged beating."

So if the beating is only alleged, HOW DID HE SUFFER THE INJURIES?

Maybe you mean that he was beaten (fact), ALLEGEDLY by the PO-lice.

Again, where are the editors this morning?
October 17, 2008

9:24 a.m.

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VoiceOfTheRockies writes:

I can't stand cops - until I need one...
October 17, 2008

9:41 a.m.

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B300 writes:

I think it would be fun to beat the pig! like he beat that young man. Its so funny because they demand our respect, and they do not give us any! Hey, here is a great question; anybody know a good cop. I bet not!
October 17, 2008

9:59 a.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

I knew two good cops at Jeffco, three if you count Sheriff Beckham. This is from personal experience. The rest had a certain, mean, " Us vs Them " mentality...

The department has gone downhill ever since; Stonewall and Mink the FINK are just symptoms of the mentality that pervades LEOs today. Unfortunately, that includes DEVOLVING back to the Colorado KKK days, where " We just have to teach these _____ who's boss around here ". Unfortunately, that has started to mean ALL the citizens that don't wear a badge...

And to the people who support the " Law and Order " mentality of this type, the GERMAN PEOPLE felt the same way about the Gestapo and Abwehr....

That is until the Allies liberated the camps....

" Those that do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it "

-Santayana
October 17, 2008

10:30 a.m.

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kr22 writes:

Duckster,

Regarding your statement: "He and his family are also in our country illegally (although you really have to search the net for that fact) and both facts should absolutely bar this hood rat and his family from seeing a dime. The only thing they should be seeing is the south side of our border fence after ICE deports them."

I would LOVE for you to post up where you found these so called "facts" regarding his and his family's citizenship and I will gaurantee you that you will come up empty handed.

Willy and his family are citizens of the good ol USA, born and raised in Denver. All you're doing is spewing verbal diarrea to try and discredit him and make him appear to be the "bad guy".
October 17, 2008

10:30 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

This cop went way overboard, and need to find another career field.

Punnisher, you have to admit...you have the us vs. them attitude in spades!
October 17, 2008

10:34 a.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Sheepherder, Good morning my friend. Question for you

Why does the press not print the Gangs and affiliations at all???

This cop was a Gang Task Member. Went waaayyyy overboard and he will pay for that....well so will we here in Denver.

Other media made mention of gang affiliation of the boy.
October 17, 2008

10:38 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

Good morning CoLib. I dont know why the RMN doesnt mention that fact. All the other sites have said it. ????

Gang member or not...the cop committed a crime. These stories make me cringe, a few morons tarnish the badge of the vast majority of good cops out there. Then folks like Punnisher and B300 get to bask in the sun for a few days....kinda sad really.
October 17, 2008

10:47 a.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Sheepherder. Agree the cop committed the crime. He needs to rot

The other press made mention of gang affiliation.

Is there a reason that the press (most) do not identify the gangs associated to an article. They have yet to from my reading? Wondering if it were a LE request or not?

Tired of these gangs staying under the radar here. They need to be called out and identified Those such as:

Storm-n-80z - Aurora (bloods)
Park Hill Bloods Park Hill
Great 8 - Not sure of affiliation but believe Crip
Various Crips
Northerns
Southerns
October 17, 2008

10:55 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

Colorado media hasnt caught on to that yet I guess. I know California papers almost always identify the gangs.
October 17, 2008

11:02 a.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Hence the continued growth of gangs here :-) My humble opinion.

Think we can bank on more violent crimes in the times ahead here in Metro area. Maybe the media will wake up
October 17, 2008

11:19 a.m.

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Creative_N_Denver writes:

The teen ran from the police, but the actions of the police officer was wrong. The police are trained to handle this type of situation and I don't recall reading anything about jumping on a person causing physical as well as emotional harm. I don't care what color your skin is, if a person of trust harms another, then they should pay. Hopefully this teen will be okay- it just angers me that my tax dollars are covering an officer who clearly has anger management issues!
October 17, 2008

1:11 p.m.

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sweetater writes:

B Mama,
Thank-you could not remember how to spell Snyders name But what he did to your brother was his M.O.
To all that are asking if we know any good cops, I was a waitress for years in Denver, saw alot of cops and happy to say tes I do know alot of good cops.Stan Shray, Snow White (yes that is really her name,says her dad had one heck of a sense of humor) Pete (can't remember his last name)
But as someone said this is a KID,he is only 16. Should he of been drinking a beer NO, should he of ran NO,should he be in a gang NO.Should he of been beat like this NO Had his parents gave him even 1/2 of a whoopin she would of been charged for it,
I believe that the monies rewarded should be in a trust because with his age and the injuries it may not be enough to cover medical cost. I wish we could make the cop pay though not the taxpayers. Put him out in the fields and let him pick vegetables to pay it off.
If taxpayers have to pay for the police officers actions then the taxpayers should be allowed to hire them. Why are these types not weeded out through the mental exam they take ?
October 17, 2008

1:59 p.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

the mother, out of fear for herself, her son, and her other child did not persue a lawsuit...................

I guess we all grow up in different areas and under different circumstances.............

If that 16 yr old you refer to Mama in your latest post, was me, I would have never told my mother or father that I got whipped up on by a cop........that is for darn sure.

Not for the safety of my mother or family, but my own dam safety :-)

But again no cop in our area would do that........ Really they wouldnt. They just found out who we were and called our parents..... No lawsuit, no muss, no fuss.......... Just a comment of how we were going to get it when we got home!!!!

Parent comment from mid to high level member of local gang here in metro upon asking if he knew his son was in a violent gang......... Yes I know. I sat them down and told them that they shouldnt be doing that!!!!!!!!! YOU GO DAD!!!! Way to provide family leadership..........
October 17, 2008

3:30 p.m.

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sweetater writes:

CoLib and Mama,
I grew up in a time when our parents could deal out discipline and the schools too. If I went home with my bottom lip out over a teacher smacking me across my knuckles for acting a fool I got it at home too or even worse sent to Grandma's house. I have a very open relationship with my children also, I would of opened a can of whoop@## but I wouldn't of jumped on them until I dang near killed them. The way laws are written and enforced now I do believe it is a time for a change. We as a people, all people need to make that change,and not hope that what the canidates are promising they will follow through. Put discipline (and before everybody jumps on me NOT ABUSE, discipline back in the parents hands. Don't know about your children but a little scrubbing walls and door jams worked wonders.
October 17, 2008

3:50 p.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Mama,

Difference for me is I grew up in a small town. That is why my "neighborhood" was different.

Mama and Tater, you 2 sound like very good parents. I have co-workers that are good parents. I have also seen the complete disregard to parenting also. The example of the gang member's father. I have the fortunate or unfortunate opportunity to see how this all works and how families work the system and how little gangmembers are brought along. It is an eye-opening experience. The city governments that I have to work with (Den and Aurora) have managed to tie our hands in this whole situation. No information, no cooperation, and blatant disregard to the situation at hand. Give me the tools! I will fix it. But I need the backing......... At least I get a polite smile when told "Good luck sir".............
October 17, 2008

4:56 p.m.

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sweetater writes:

CoLIb,
I'll back you my friend. Tell me where and when cause I agree with you whole hearted. I was in constant fear of one of my own being in a gang or being harassed by those in one. I worked two jobs to TRY and get them out of harms way or to be inticed. We were taught to respect other peoples parents and with tears in my eyes told my children that in thier day and time not all parents deserved respect.But I know once you give up on a child they give up on themselves. It sounds like whatever your occupation is you work very close with these types and more power to you, keep your head up if you save one you've done well.
Sincerely ANYTHING I can do to help,let me know I AM THERE:)
October 17, 2008

5:09 p.m.

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COLibertarian writes:

Sweetater,

Thank you for the kind words. You sound like a GREAT parent. Wish they all could be like you and othe GREAT parents!

I do not work in any field that means anything good....just a corporate grunt :-) I am an IT project manager only. I work with schedules and budgets. Nothing that currently betters our streets and communities....

I do have a nephew that has joined a gang. A young violent gang from what I have heard and researched. His mother is in serious trouble with law and drugs. We are hoping for the best for her. She is getting clean and will be offered a "Do-Over" in her life. However she does not get to have a "Do-Over" with her kid. We have tried to get him into school and out of the gangs. Have offered him many opportunities to make something of himself. Gang has had too long with him. We dont have a chance. We keep trying but get nowhere with the cities we are dealing with.

Tater, if there is anything I need help with, You are the first one I will call! Your offer is very touching and brings happy tears to this ole hippie kinda guy!

The offer is the same for you Tater. Anything we can do please ask.
October 17, 2008

5:17 p.m.

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sweetater writes:

CoLib,
You are in my thoughts and your sister too. Try not to give up on your nephew. Maybe through his mom having a "do over" he may be able to see a little light at the end. You sound like a very caring brother and uncle. Tell him you care and you love him even if he doesn't want to hear it.Sounds to me like you need a job working with the communities, maybe you can make the difference.
October 20, 2008

12:39 p.m.

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gallegoi writes:

This is one of those feel good stories. I am glad he is getting this money--although I wish it was coming out of the officer's pocket. I imagine the attorney will get a big chunk out of it too. He probably will have nightmares about this his whole life....poor kid.
October 20, 2008

1:41 p.m.

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bosunj writes:

Lowlife scum s_ucking rat bast**d rat f**k cop! Skinhead looking rat f**k! Most of these cop freaks are just like this Porter f**k! The sh*tbag should be dragged out in the street and summarily executed for what he did to that kid! Mutherf**ker!

Home › News › Local News

Teenager allegedly beaten by police set to receive $885,000 from city

By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 16, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.

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