UPDATE: Pinal county Sheriff's Deputy shooting investigation reopened

[MikeG]

Case of Pinal County deputy's shooting in desert reopened

Short version: The New Times is an anti-police rag that has pretty much claimed from the beginning that the shooting was "staged" to help perception of SB1070. They had no evidence to support that though and other findings indicated at least an illegal, armed smuggling presence. Recently, the New Times appeared to have paid some forensic pathologists to view pictures of a shirt and the wound. They concluded from the pictures that the wound was caused from a muzzle that was "inches away". He was also shot in the back.

How this "revived" story got legs in the national and respected journalism outlets, I'll never know.

Anyway, the PCSO has reopened the investigation. Journalists seem to think that this somehow validates the issues of "The New Times." In reality I think it was reopened to be a smackdown of the "pathologists for hire" and New Times as they still have the shirt to test for powder burns and the like. I suspect the report from AZ DPS will be scathing if the shirt comes back powder free as expected. I believe the Dr. that actually examined the Deputy said his wound did not have the characteristics of a close shot (dimpling with burn residue). I would think that doctors would routinely look at that as a close shot might indicate a suicidal patient. Especially for occupations such as police officer or airline pilot. If I were the Sheriff, I would have also asked the Deputy if he wanted to rehash this by reopening the case as the "new evidence" seems a bit flimsy. I suspect the deputy also wants to have the shirt examined to slap these people down.

Let's hope the deputy's name is cleared quickly and he has fully recovered. If everything comes back negative, I hope he is able to sue in some fashion. I know, probably not possible but maybe the threat of a suit will lead to great stories about the deputy and scathing stories about New Times journalism.

[Kimble]

Mike,

Do you have any news articles to reference this or that contain amplifying details?

[MikeG]

Mike,

Do you have any news articles to reference this or that contain amplifying details?

The first link in hte opening post should be a news article. Does it not show up? here's some more:

Sheriff reopening investigation of deputy's shooting in desert

Pinal to reopen probe of deputy shot in desert

More questions raised in Arizona deputy's shooting | Phoenix News | Arizona News | azfamily.com | Arizona News

Pinalcchio: Renowned Forensics Experts Say a Pinal County Deputy's High-Profile Tale About Getting Shot After Encountering Drug Smugglers Doesn't Add Up - Page 1 - News - Phoenix - Phoenix New Times

[Kimble]

The first link in hte opening post should be a news article. Does it not show up?

It does now, thanks.

[Trip]

It was all over Fox today too

[MikeG]

More UPDATE: Actual forensic testing, not just looking at a picture backs up Deputies account. Don't hold your breath for a retraction or anything close to the reaction from last week

Sheriff's office: Shirt backs up deputy's story

[bobcraken84]

This is a really neat case. I am interested to see how it all turns out. It certainly seems tht suicide might have been possible. Yet there seems like there may be more to it than that. I will stay tuned to see what happens.

[MikeG]

Another Update:

Pinal County deputy suspended over drug cartel comments

I have no idea why he would talk to the reporter. If the reporters story is accurate, I also don't know why he wouldn't have reported and/or arrested the person attempting the bribe. I hope the deputy decides he no longer needs to speak to the media. Especially the New Times.

[MikeG]

Here's the New Times piece that led to suspension.

One-on-One Time With a Pinal County Deputy -- Whose Claim He Was Shot by a Drug Smuggler Is Full of Holes -- Produces Startling Results - Page 1 - News - Phoenix - Phoenix New Times

After reading it, I am 50/50 on whether he was working over this reporter with tall tales. Especially since he shared a threat made against the reporter. Either way, he doesn't need to talk anymore.