Summary
Matthew Huttle, a 42-year-old pardoned January 6 rioter, was fatally shot by an Indiana deputy during a traffic stop 6 days after Trump granted clemency to over 1,500 Capitol attackers.
Huttle, previously sentenced to six months in prison, was pulled over for driving 70mph (113km/h) in a 55mph zone and faced arrest as a habitual traffic offender.
According to newly released body camera footage, Huttle said “I’m shooting myself” before reaching for a loaded gun in his car, prompting the deputy to fire.
Prosecutors ruled the shooting “legally justified.” His death adds to mounting legal issues among pardoned rioters.
I think it’s important to point out that this is not justifiable because he was a jan 6 rioter, but because he was reaching for a gun.
It’s a small distinction, but an important one, as justifications can easily stretch to encompass things they shouldn’t. If it’s ok for an officer to kill someone at a traffic stop solely because they were at the riot, then it won’t be long before it’s justification for killing someone at a protest, or just for speaking out.
So good riddance to bad rubbish in this case, but be wary of dismissing a police officer killing someone just because we don’t like them.
It’s not OK for a cop to shoot him because he was at a riot. It’s OK for a cop to shoot him because he’s a traitor that tried to steal democracy away from the nation. He was an enemy of the state and the people.
The only good nazi is a dead nazi, and I hope his fate befalls every single one of those traitors.