In police shooting of mentally ill N.C. teen, who do you believe?

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/10/us/north-carolina-teen-killed/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

(CNN) -- A man calls 911 saying his family needs help. His wife is scared of their schizophrenic son, armed with a screwdriver. One, then two, then three law enforcement officers -- all from different agencies -- arrive. After the situation calms somewhat, according to the family, a tussle ensues.

What happens next?

In a case this week out of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina, one officer responded by firing his gun, killing 18-year-old Keith Vidal, who was mentally ill.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I agree with this statement.

"This officer who shot my son needs to be behind bars," said Vidal's mother, Mary Wilsey.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Dude was 100 lbs, 3 officers and family members, yet shooting him was the only option. I'm not buying it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Veteran defense attorney Mark O'Mara, a CNN legal analyst, agrees with the family.

Good thing the victim was armed with a screwdriver. Had he armed himself with a sidewalk, Mark O'Mara would probably side with cop that shot him.

But this statement from Mark O'Mara is surprising. He successfully argued against that not so long ago.

"Every other opportunity to resist using that deadly force should be deployed (first)," said O'Mara. "Why not just back away from the situation and see what happens?"

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Good thing the victim was armed with a screwdriver. Had he armed himself with a sidewalk, Mark O'Mara would probably side with cop that shot him.

But this statement from Mark O'Mara is surprising. He successfully argued against that not so long ago.

I'll take a page from your playbook and leave this one alone.

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

This kid's parents probably feel kinda the same way as that father who called the cops on his kid for stealing his truck. They wanted help and their kids got killed instead.

Schizophrenia is one of the hardest, saddest things a parent can endure. You won't find many people sensitive to their issues, the police in particular.

Meanwhile veteran scumbag defense attorney Mark O'Mara still loves seeing his name in print it seems. Surprise, surprise. I bet he sleeps like a well-fed baby each night.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Meanwhile veteran scumbag defense attorney Mark O'Mara still loves seeing his name in print it seems. Surprise, surprise. I bet he sleeps like a well-fed baby each night.

Why wouldn't he? Only thing that could keep him up at night would be a conscience. He's a lawyer so he ain't got one.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I believe the cops. They don't lie. They are here to protect and to serve.

[lostinblue 1,989]

They will feel safer when they get their own $100,000 armored vehicle.That is a fact. (along with 10 SWAT officers)

[GandD 5,966]

What if the armored vehicle was armed with another armored vehicle? And instead of bullets, it could shoot other armored vehicles?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I'm guessing that this officer will be toast from the audio of the incident that I heard yesterday on the news. But I think the investigation will have to sort that out.

[Sousuke 1,214]

I suspect the other two officers will probably support the family.

[slim 1,533]

Our cops shot a guy here a few months ago who had two cops laying on his back holding him down AFTER they tased him. They claimed he was reaching for a pistol he had tucked in his waistband.

I'm shocked all you anti-gunners don't go after cops' guns. If anyone needs to be disarmed, it's them.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Our cops shot a guy here a few months ago who had two cops laying on his back holding him down AFTER they tased him. They claimed he was reaching for a pistol he had tucked in his waistband.

I'm shocked all you anti-gunners don't go after cops' guns. If anyone needs to be disarmed, it's them.

Unlike you, some of us realize that the police have a place in society, and while there are bad cops, and mistakes are made, armed police officers tend to be better trained than Joe Blow who believes that he and his pistol can solve every problem.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Maybe many cops are decent but they seem to be thugs and bullies where I live.