Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jul 2009
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus,GA)
Copyright: 2009 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237
Author: Alan Riquelmy, Staff Writer

COLUMBUS RESIDENTS QUESTION POLICE ABOUT FATAL SHOOTING

Citizens Ask About Search Warrant Procedures In Brockington's Death

East Columbus residents gathered Tuesday night less than a mile from
the home where a deputy fatally shot Leroy Brockington on June 10.

At a second neighborhood meeting to discuss the police shooting, many
asked questions about the circumstances around the execution of a
search warrant at the home where the 66-year-old’s son, suspected drug
dealer Darrick Brockington, lived. Some had heard that law enforcement
didn’t knock before entering. Others spoke of “tough love” and of
kicking out adult children if parents don’t know what the children are
doing.

Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr told the group of around 40 people
at Liberty Baptist Church off St. Marys Road that an undercover deputy
and a confidential informant bought drugs from Darrick Brockington.
After the second purchase of marijuana, and after the 40-year-old
Brockington returned to his Gettysburg Way home, a search warrant was
obtained, Darr said.

They knocked, they entered and took Darrick Brockington into custody.
Shortly afterward, his father shot a deputy and another deputy shot
back.

“I could have been out drinking,” said George Womack, who put himself
in a hypothetical situation. “I could have been on medication. I could
have a hearing problem. You need to change your procedures on how you
enter a homeowner’s home.”

When asked why Darrick Brockington wasn’t arrested at the alleged drug
deal, Darr said officers didn’t want to jeopardize the confidential
informant.

Womack referred to such informants as snitches.

“It just doesn’t come across right when you said you don’t want to
compromise your confidential informant,” Dwayne Donnelly said.

Later, Donnelly added that he obeys the law, but said that if someone
busts into his home, he will shoot.

Many questioned whether law enforcement knocked before entering the
home.

Darr said they had knocked, announced who they were and then waited a
few seconds before entering.

With a no-knock warrant, which is gained when a violent suspect or
weapons are known to be present, law enforcement enters the home
without announcing themselves.

One Gettysburg Way resident said adult children need to leave their
parents’ home.

“We want to stick our heads in the sand,” she said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr