These statements are absurd.Dog whistle much.
This statement is from WPPA Executive Director Jim Palmer.
Given the fact that the tragic death of Tony Robinson was more exhaustively, independently, and transparently investigated than perhaps any officer-involved death in the history of Madison, we are extraordinarily disappointed that the city’s insurance company chose to make a business decision that was more concerned with the costs of litigation than the facts of the case.
Multiple investigations were conducted into this matter, and all of them confirmed that Matt’s actions on March 6, 2015 were lawful and in response to a deadly threat, from which Matt sustained numerous injuries. Though we expect that there will be those who will attempt to portray the insurance company’s settlement as some sort of victory, nothing about this agreement, which includes no admission of wrongdoing, changes the fact that he has been fully and repeatedly exonerated.
Matt strongly believes that this lawsuit should have gone to trial, and he deeply regrets that he is being deprived of the opportunity to defend himself before a jury of his peers. While we continue to extend our sympathies to Mr. Robinson’s family, they have made some outrageous claims about Matt that will never be resolved. We would have preferred that they demand that the case go to trial, because rather than offer any amount of closure, this settlement only serves to further cast a pall over Matt’s devotion and service to the community, and that of the dedicated men and women of the Madison Police Department.
Since the shooting occurred, Madison has shown its uniqueness when compared to similar events around the country. The police department is diverse, its officers are highly trained, especially in areas such as de-escalation tactics and cultural awareness, and Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to require that police shootings be independently investigated in a transparent manner. Likewise, the community has peacefully voiced its concerns regarding the systemic inequalities that exist within our criminal justice system. Just as Madison demonstrated that it wasn’t Ferguson two years ago, the same remains true today.
Ok – let’s break this down.
a. A week from trial, a huge portion of the costs of litigation are already sunk into the case, I highly doubt the “cost of litigation” was what drove the decision.
b. The “more exhaustively, independently and transparently investigated” shooting is probably WHY the insurance company settled!
c. We all can see that nationally, what is considered “lawful” when it comes to police shootings is not moral, ethical or what our community expects from our police.
d. Matt’s “numerous injuries” was one small cut to the head. (see the last two pages of the plaintiff’s proposed statements of fact)
e. This settlement is NOT a victory. Nothing about this settlement will bring Tony back to his family. No amount of money can fix that. It’s a hollow victory at best.
f. If Matt Kenny wants to present his case to the public, have at it! He’s not being deprived of anything.
g. If the family’s “outrageous claims” are so false, lets here from Matt Kenny about that. I’m sure the police union and others will support him in getting all the media attention he needs.
h. This settlement doesn’t offer closure to the family or the community either.
i. If the police department is so well trained then why didn’t Kenny wait for back up, use a taser and leave his microphone on . . . as trained? Why didn’t wait til all 7 shots were fired and Tony was lying at the bottom of the stairs before yelling out “Stop right there! Don’t move!”?
President of the Madison Professional Police Officers Association issued the following statement:
The trial over this lawsuit was going to be Matt’s opportunity to confront the false accusations made against him, and now he will never get that chance. The outrageous decision by the city’s insurance company to settle this lawsuit over Matt’s objection is tantamount to throwing him under the bus. Despite the fact that he and his conduct have been rigorously scrutinized by multiple agencies, the Robinson family has done their best to drag his name through the mud. Frankly, given how the plaintiffs in this case have publicly demanded justice, I’m actually shocked that they would settle it short of having their day in court.
Not only does this offensive settlement unfairly undermine Matt’s service and commitment to the people of Madison, it’s certain to hurt the morale at our department as well. The city’s insurance company shouldn’t risk compromising an officer’s credibility and reputation for the sake of its bottom line, particularly when that officer did their job in accordance with their training and the law. Matt Kenny, and all of the officers in the Madison, deserve better.
I’ll just repeat what I said . . . Matt Kenny has all the opportunity in the world to confront any false accusations against him now that the threat of the lawsuit has been removed, have at it!
See my post about why the insurance company’s decision was not outrageous. Matt Kenny did this to himself when he lied, didn’t wait for back up, turned off his audio recorder and chose to use a gun instead of a taser. And then tried to cover it up by yelling out at the end . . . after Tony was lying at the bottom of the stairs “Stop right there! Don’t move!”. Matt Kenny did this to himself. Matt Kenny is not the victim here. The insurance company chose wisely.
