Thread: Ore-Irishman's death still a puzzle

Irishman's death still a puzzle
Silverton police shooting - The Marion County DA's office awaits the findings of an inquiry before its next stepTuesday, July 08, 2008 STUART TOMLINSON and HELEN JUNGThe Oregonian Staff
SILVERTON -- Samantha True and Jordan Lopez last saw Andrew Hanlon about 20 minutes before he died.

"He was looking for his shirt," True said Monday as she sat with others who knew the 20-year-old Irishman shot and killed last week by Silverton police Officer Tony Gonzalez.

True and Lopez were visiting Hanlon's roommate when Hanlon, known as A.J., came in search of the shirt and then "stormed off," Lopez said. A short time later, the night sky above this town of 8,000 was bright with the flashing lights of a dozen patrol cars responding to the shooting


Lopez said Hanlon often complained about things and seemed to be angry about one thing or another.

"But he never got violent," Lopez said. "He would get the anger out by taking karate lessons."

A Marion County deputy district attorney said his office expects to convene a grand jury into the June 30 shooting death once an investigation is completed.

There is no set timeline, but Doug Hanson, a deputy district attorney for the office, said the investigation should wrap up within a week.

Hanlon, described by his family as mentally ill, was killed when Gonzalez responded to a report of a burglary in progress. Hanlon had been in Silverton for about a year, according to his sister and brother-in-law, who also live there.

Hanlon had a habit of banging on their door when he wanted to be let in, his brother-in-law said. He said he and his wife believe that on the night Hanlon was killed, he had mistakenly gone to the wrong house, startling the residents inside and prompting the call to police. They said he was shot several times.

Gonzalez is on administrative leave during the multiagency investigation, as is routine in officer-involved shootings.

The killing has prompted a flurry of international media attention. Hanlon's mother went on the radio Thursday in Ireland to criticize police and prosecutors for failing to provide her information.

But Hanson, the deputy Marion County district attorney, said his office has tried to reach her but could not get through because the phones are blocking outbound international calls.

"We don't know what the holdup is and why we can't get through," he said, adding that his office's tech staff is working on the problem with the phone company.

He said another deputy district attorney met with the Irish consul Friday and that his office has let local family members know it is willing to meet with them.

Hanlon's mother is expected to arrive in Oregon within a few days.

The answers to many questions can't come soon enough for Hanlon's friends, who wonder why the much-larger Gonzalez had to resort to deadly force to subdue Hanlon.

"Was he armed? Why did the officer respond by taking a gun out?" asked Kory Crosen, who met Hanlon a year ago at the Palace Theater during the annual live-participating showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show."

He said Hanlon was pleasantly surprised that usually staid small-town residents showed up at the event in character makeup and lingerie, which is typical for "Rocky Horror" screenings on college campuses and in larger cities.

Late last week, about 100 people showed up at the corner of Oak and Mill streets for a candlelight vigil at the spot Hanlon died. They also staged a protest at City Hall, which houses the Silverton Police Department.

Crosen wonders when the answers will come.

Hanlon "had a hard time here," Crosen said. "All he wanted was a good chance. . . . I think he'd be surprised how many friends he really had."

Stuart Tomlinson: 503-221-8313; stuarttomlinson@ news.oregonian.com



http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonia ... thispage=2

At least the spin or imprecision exhibited by the Oregonian paper is predictable - if unjustified...

They forgot to mention that Mr. Hanlon was illegally in the US after overstaying a visitor visa for about the last 6 months or more and had worked while he was here (another crime).

More detailed info here: http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-122110.html

PhredE said :


"They forgot to mention that Mr. Hanlon was illegally in the US after overstaying a visitor visa for about the last 6 months or more and had worked while he was here (another crime)".


Classic libidiot journalism