Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Cop Block (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Cop That Killed Zachary Hammond Finally Fired One Year Later

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


The Seneca, South Carolina police officer that fatally shot 19-year-old Zachary Hammond has finally received internal disciplinary action resulting in his termination one year after the incident.

========= Multi-Author AdSense ========= Skipped due to there being 3 AdSense ads on this page already ========================================

Hammond was shot twice by Lt. Mark Tiller, who claimed the teen drove his car directly at him while he was attempting to make a petty drug arrest in a Hardees parking lot on July 26, 2015.

Prosecutors said the incident began when Hammond’s date mistakenly texted a South Carolina state trooper offering to sell drugs. It is unclear how the phone was pinpointed by law enforcement, but officers were dispatched to Hammond’s location to investigate.

Seneca Police Chief John Covington claimed that Tiller was only acting in “self defense,” but an autopsy found that Hammond was shot twice: once in the left shoulder from behind, and once in the left side of his chest through his drivers side window.

The shots were inconsistent with an officer firing at someone that was “coming right at him,” and police attempted to subvert public opinion surrounding the incident by releasing few details, and covering up others in its wake.

In October however, dash-cam footage was finally released confirming what the Hammond family knew all along: their loved one was needlessly executed by an over-zealous drug warrior.

The footage showed police pulling up behind Hammond’s parked car before Tiller is seen running up to the drivers side with his gun drawn. Hammond backs out slightly, ensuring he has enough room to pull out, and the officer opens fire into the side of the vehicle as the car pulls away.

Watch the raw footage:

Following the release of the footage, prosecutors went to great lengths to attack Hammond’s character and explain why Tiller shouldn’t be charged in the incident. They acknowledged the video looked “bad,” but cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

“The video at full speed, standing alone, is troublesome,” 10th Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams said at the time. “However, when the video and the totality of the investigation is evaluated and the laws of our state are applied, it is clear that Lt. Tiller broke no state laws.”

========= Multi-Author AdSense ========= Skipped due to there being 3 AdSense ads on this page already ========================================

Cocaine was reportedly found on Hammond’s person and marijuana was found in his car. His date, 23-year-old Tori Morton, was arrested for the pot and police said toxicology reports confirmed Hammond was under the influence of both substances before his death.

According to a letter sent to the U.S. Attorney General and the FBI Director by Hammond family lawyers demanding a civil rights investigation however, a witness claimed that:

…The officer who opened Zachary’s door and pulled his dead body from the vehicle then went to the trunk of his police car and pulled something out. The officer walked back over to the man on the ground rolled him over to his side, put something underneath his body, and then rolled him back.”

The witness could be referencing the “cocaine” that was allegedly found on Hammond, and in addition, claimed that officers celebrated the teen’s death by “high-fiving” his dead body. According to the letter:

A police officer with a neighboring police force has confirmed to SLED (SC State Law Enforcement Division) that the Seneca Police Department celebrated the killing of Zachary by desecrating his corpse. After Zachary had been shot and killed, members of the Seneca Police Department lifted his dead hand and ‘high fived’ Zachary Hammond.

CLICK banner to get AWESOME COPBLOCK GEAR!

In March, attorneys for the Hammond family announced that a wrongful death lawsuit field against the City of Seneca, the Seneca Police Department, Chief John Covington, and Lt. Mark Tiller had been settled for the amount of $2,150,000.

Covington revealed on Friday that Tiller has been terminated from the department. He did not provide any further comment citing the “personnel” matter, but attorneys for the Hammond family said in a statement that they are grateful for the decision.

“For reasons not provided although speculation is abound, Chief Covington made the admirable decision to terminate Lt. Tiller’s employment,” the statement said. “For that we all are grateful and we want to let Chief Covington know that we appreciate his decision… It is just another step in the long journey they will have for the remainder of their lives to try and make sense of the senseless. ”

Even though Tiller was cleared in the killing by the state of South Carolina, federal authorities including the FBI Columbia Field Office, the U.S. attorney for South Carolina, and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, continue to investigate. The Hammond family is still hoping for a federal indictment.

========= Multi-Author AdSense ========= Skipped due to there being 3 AdSense ads on this page already ========================================

Cop That Killed Zachary Hammond Finally Fired One Year Later is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights


Source: http://www.copblock.org/165501/cop-that-killed-zachary-hammond-finally-fired-one-year-later/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.