Police Kill Woman, Charge Man They Were Trying To Shoot With Murder

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Police Kill Woman, Charge Man They Were Trying To Shoot With Murder

The man who police were trying to shoot when they killed an innocent bystander is now charged with her murder.

Police responded to Vixen Bar in Orlando, Florida, on Aug. 19 after a 911 caller told them a "gun wielding maniac" was in the establishment, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Kody Roach, 23, ignored officers' commands to get on the ground, according to a police report obtained by the Sentinel.

Officers attempted to use a Tazer on Roach, but it was ineffective because of his baggy clothes, the report said. Roach then allegedly reached into his waistband, promoting police to fire, according to the report.

"In order to prevent an armed individual from causing harm to any members of the public or to any of the surrounding officers, Ofc. Sanguino discharges his firearm nine times striking Roach at least five times," the report said.

Police said Roach had an unloaded handgun when he was fired upon. He was taken to a hospital and survived his injuries.

Amid the exchange of gunfire, one of the bullets fired by Orlando police officer Eduardo Sanguino hit and killed 22-year-old Fernanda Godinez, WESH reports.

Sanguino has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation of the shooting.

Now, police say Roach is responsible for Godinez's death, and they've charged him with first-degree felony murder.

"As a result of Roach's criminal actions, Ofc. Sanguino had no choice but to use deadly force in stopping the threat posed to the public and fellow officers by Roach. As a result of Roach's actions, an individual was killed, therefore probable cause exist to further charge Roach with first degree felony murder," his arrest affidavit states, according to WESH.

WKMG reports that another OPD office, Lt. Frank Nunez, a 19 year veteran of the force, was also hit with a ricochet bullet to his shin.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/28/cops-kill-woman-maria-godinez_n_5732032.html

Edited September 3, 2014 by Hail Ming!

[decocker 7,198]

bassackwards.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't see how they can justify a murder charge for their own incompetence.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Wow! That is just trash. They did not properly train their police how to discharge a weapon, killed an innocent person, and then blamed it on someone who was already on the ground bleeding. Amazing. The next time a crime is in progress, calling the Ghost Busters might have a better outcome.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is your felony murder statute brought to one of its more ludicrous conclusions.

[eieio 1,594]

Roach is responsible for Godinez's death, and they've charged him with first-degree felony murder.

I agree 100%. I hope he gets the death penalty. The 2nd worse thing about this is the suspect survived. Good news is....he will be locked up for a long time.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I could be wrong but for it to first degree murder there would have had to have been a clear intent of the guy to kill the woman who was shot.

A random bystander getting killed in a crossfire would be manslaughter at best, but given that he didn't shoot the victim... They should certainly charge him with something but first degree murder? No way.

[eieio 1,594]

I could be wrong but for it to first degree murder there would have had to have been a clear intent of the guy to kill the woman who was shot.

A random bystander getting killed in a crossfire would be manslaughter at best, but given that he didn't shoot the victim... They should certainly charge him with something but first degree murder? No way.

True....that's why it is a shame they didn't kill him.

I am sure there will be a pile of charges against him. Hopefully he is convicted of all and then gets to serve them consecutively.

Edited September 4, 2014 by eieio

[Karee 4,190]

I thought first degree murder had to be pre-meditated?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I thought first degree murder had to be pre-meditated?

It does. Except in Florida.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It does. Except in Florida.

Probably not too far from the truth. A few years ago Florida tried to get around a law that said it was illegal to execute someone diagnosed with a mental illness. Their attempted solution - medicate the person so that they would be sane enough to execute.

Mad.