Monitor blames police for criminal’s poor choices

Committing crime is so stressful!

Stop the presses! Madison’s independent police monitor blames police for the demise of criminal suspect Richard Lee Johnson. He died in a Madison hospital a day after his arrest on 12-30-24.

O.K., he had cocaine working in his blood stream. Yeah, he ran from police after stealing a car from a far east side motel that contained a firearm — led police on a foot chase. Sure, Johnson fought with police when finally captured. Johnson even declined the law enforcement’s offer to take him to the hospital. They did so, anyway, after Johnson showed signs of medical distress at the county jail. 

The independent forensic pathologist hired by monitor Aeiramique Glass blames the police just the same.

“Cocaine may have been a predisposing or contributing factor, but was not the cause of death. But for the police actions, Richard Johnson would not have died,” concluded Dr. Victor Weedn. Although Johnson appeared alert and oriented when police questioned him, Johnson “would have been stressed while committing his crime.” (More here)

Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Johnson died from complications of cocaine toxicity. In a statement, Police chief John Patterson said he “supports the officers involved, who did everything that we train them to do and expect them to do in a situation like this one involving Mr. Johnson.”

Blaska’s Bottom Line: But for the criminal’s own decisions, Richard Johnson would still be alive. If he had agreed to be taken to the hospital in the first place, Johnson would still be alive. If he had not fought police upon his arrest, he would still be alive. If he had not run from police attempting to avoid arrest, he would still be alive. If he had not stolen that car, he would still be alive. If he had not been coked up — Richard Lee Johnson would still be alive.

Madison’s independent police monitor defunds police by other means.

What were police supposed to do? 
Let him go?