Law enforcement-related death of Branch Wroth raises a number of issues

[Karen S.]

Law enforcement related deaths in the last 5 years
by Karen Saari - May 17, 2017

Law enforcement-related deaths refer to deaths of civilians in the presence of one or more members of the county's sheriffs or police departments. It also includes deaths which occur at the county jail.

In 2013, there were 8 law enforcement-related deaths in Sonoma County. Andy Lopez, 13 years old, was shot in the back and killed by Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus when he was sighted walking across a field carrying a BB gun. Andy was the 6th death that year.

In 2014, there were 10 such deaths.

In 2015, there were 3 such deaths.

In 2016, there was 1 such death.

So far, in 2017, there has been 1 such death.

Just days ago, on Friday, May 12, Branch Wroth, probably experiencing a bad reaction to some drug, was tasered by the Rohnert Park Police. Branch immediately "became unresponsive" and was soon dead. We do not have further details at this time. However, I know of no medical authority who would recommend using a taser on someone claiming to be suffering from chemical poisoning. I also fail to understand why it was so necessary for police to arrest and handcuff someone for an outstanding warrant (unpaid traffic tickets?) when the subject clearly needed emergency medical attention. Just exactly what were the priorities of these police?

Branch was the son of Chris and Marni Wroth, both very active in the stop police abuse movement here in Sonoma County. Branch was the brother of Esa Wroth, beaten nearly to death by Sonoma County sheriffs on January 2, 2013. Esa eventually received a $1.25 million settlement from the county.

It should also be noted that a week before Branch's death, there was a near-fatal shooting in Cotati by the SSU campus police. There has been little follow-up in the local media as to the outcome for this so-called gang member who allegedly opened fire in the small hours of the morning as the Cotati bars were closing.

Starting in 2015, there was a significant decline in the number of deaths attributable in some way to local law enforcement. Was this in response to increased, broad-based community activism on this issue? Was it related to the installation of Jerry Threet to monitor the activities of the Sheriff's Department? Should we expect an escalation of police abuse in the law and order Trump Era?

[Dorothy Friberg]

Law enforcement is trained to respond like the military (shoot first) not like public servants.

...Just days ago, on Friday, May 12, Branch Wroth, probably experiencing a bad reaction to some drug, was tasered by the Rohnert Park Police. ...

[Jude Iam]

Deep condolences to Marni and Chris. Unimaginable, brutal tragedy, to have had one child "beaten nearly to death" by the police, then the other killed by the police.

Where are we living, where the police kill and kill.
https://www.newsweek.com/how-many-am...ch-year-480712
Where people need to wonder if calling the police will only make things worse.
Where police are armed second only to the very latest combat forces.
Needs to completely change.
Jude

Law enforcement is trained to respond like the military (shoot first) not like public servants.

[One Music]

Deep condolences to Marni and Chris. Unimaginable, brutal tragedy, to have had one child "beaten nearly to death" by the police, then the other killed by the police.

Where are we living, where the police kill and kill.
https://www.newsweek.com/how-many-am...ch-year-480712
Where people need to wonder if calling the police will only make things worse.
Where police are armed second only to the very latest combat forces.
Needs to completely change.
Jude

I just heard on the radio KBBF-FM, Women's spaces with Elaine B. Holtz, that a community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 5/23, 1 pm, RP, re: Branch's killing, but I did not catch the location. did anyone hear this or otherwise know about this meeting? Community Center? thanks in advance for any info