[Dion]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

That website looks kind of sketchy.

Try this one

(CNN) -- A man calls 911 saying his family needs help. His wife is scared of their schizophrenic son, armed with a screwdriver. One, then two, then three law enforcement officers -- all from different agencies -- arrive. After the situation calms somewhat, according to the family, a tussle ensues.

What happens next?

In a case this week out of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina, one officer responded by firing his gun, killing 18-year-old Keith Vidal, who was mentally ill.

Yet some criminal experts say it may not be that simple. Law enforcement officers thrust into situations like this do have protocols to follow. They often do have nonlethal tools like Tasers at their disposal. But things don't always go to plan; in fact, things oftentimes go wrong, forcing an officer to make extremely difficult, split-second decisions whether to use lethal force or not.

"They have to make a judgment very quickly: Is (the individual) a danger to themselves or a danger to others?" said Ron Martinelli, a justice and forensic consultant who trains police officers on what to do in such situations.

Experts say the final judgments likely will hinge on whether Vassey acted in an "objectively reasonable" matter. That term comes from a 1989 Supreme Court ruling, Graham v. Connor, and means that an officer -- and ultimately, higher authorities -- must decide on the spot whether there is a valid presumption of an imminent, serious risk that would warrant the use of force.

"It's objectively reasonable as seen by the officer," said Martinelli, a former officer who adds there's no federal legal requirement that officers use "the least intrusive level of force" nor do they "have to put themselves at risk." "And it often all depends on a rapidly evolving situation."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/10/us/nor...a-teen-killed/