Friday, May 21, 2010
Who Were the West Memphis Cop Killers?
Posted by Bruce VanWyngarden on Fri, May 21, 2010 at 2:54 PM
Relatives have identified the two men who shot and killed two West Memphis police officers during a traffic stop yesterday as Jerry Kane, 45, and his son, Joseph, 16. Both Kanes were killed in a subsequent shoot-out with police at the West Memphis Wal-Mart 90 minutes later.
Some television reports yesterday stated that the Kanes were Hispanic. They are Caucasian and originally from Ohio. But mysteries abound about father and son. What were they up to? Why would they resist a routine traffic stop with gunfire? Was there something in their van? Explosives? Money? Drugs? Or was it just anti-government paranoia that reached a boiling point?
- Joseph and Jerry Kane
Jerry Kane traveled the country "giving lectures" about how to avoid "mortgage fraud." At least, that's the rationale given at this rather bizarre website. Some of the links on the site are to such things as "Patriot Radio" and other right-wing media outlets. It appears to be an anti-federal government-themed site.
On the opening page, Jerry Kane and his son, Joseph, are lionized as follows by "Angela": I first met Joe Kane when he was 14. He was a sweet, loving young man with a charming demeanor and a warm smile. Joe had a a brilliant mind and quick wit, like his Father. Joe was also blessed with healing hands and he was always willing to help those in need whenever asked. Not into gangs, rap music, or drugs, he was a well rounded, wholesome young man with a healthy outlook and a golden future. Jerry and Joe were cleancut and admired by everyone that made their acquaintance, not only for their knowledge and understanding of the foreclosure scam, but for their moral ethics and integrity.
Together they educated the people about the Mortgage Fraud and how to fight to keep their homes.
Joe adored his father and was always at his side. This was a terrible tragedy for all involved in what occurred on I-40 and I hope and pray that the truth about what really happened will be revealed.
Angela
There's more: Jerry Kane and his beautiful son Joe (age 16) were shot to death during an alleged traffic stop by law enforcement on Thursday, May 20th, 2010. Jerry, Joe and their two dogs, while on their way back to their home in Florida have been made out to be everything from drug smugglers to hispanics, which we all know is typical of the media spinners. The police said it was a traffic stop. But their van had more bullet holes in it than Bonnie and Clyde's.
Jerry and Donna Lee were just married three months ago. Jerry spoke of ending his travelling to give classes and seminars across the country and was looking forward to staying close to home and enjoying his new life in Florida. They were happy.
Last month, Jerry was stopped on I-40 in New Mexico and arrested for not having a driver's license. He recently completed his administrative process for the unlawful arrest.
Coincidence?
I-40 sounds like the good ole boy stretch-of-highway, where if they spot you, and they already don't like you, you could get killed. Even if you are just a Dad and son with your two dogs on your way home, minding your own business.
Let's face it. If there wasn't a "traffic stop" no one would be dead!
That's true. It's also true that if the Kanes hadn't shot and killed two police officers during a traffic stop, four people wouldn't be dead today.
I have to believe there is much, much more going to come out about the Kanes and their organization in the next few days. There is strangeness here, indeed. Nothing makes sense. Yet.
Update: Here's a recent radio interview with Jerry Kane, in which he describes his arrest in New Mexico and his "philosophy."
Comments (75)
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From their blog: "Greetings and Blessings to all Americans who are interested in Restoring America to its original foundation of the Constitution for the United States of America as it was in effect between 1787 and 1860 when we had a Constitutional Republic form of government throughout the states."
There is NO WAY that could possibly have anything to do with slavery.
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"That's true. It's also true that if the Kanes hadn't shot and killed two police officers during a traffic stop, four people wouldn't be dead today."
Where is your source for this? If there is one thing I have learned after covering law enforcement for the last 15 years, it's that "official" statements are not credible without something to corroborate them. In fact, in 15 years, whenever the "official" story contradicts witnesses and video turns up, law enforcement is shown to be lying 100% of the time. I have yet to see law enforcement vindicated by audio or video.
If this story is true, we will see dash-cam footage and accounts from passing motorists. Where are they? Without them, this story is hearsay. Do your job... and it's not PR.
Hard as it may be to swallow, given the anger and pathos surrounding this event, but even more importantly precisely because of that, the Kanes are still entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence. That means that, for the time being, nothing anyone (police, media, witnesses, etc.) says can be treated as true. It also means that, again for the time being, everything that's said about the Kanes is "alleged."
The print and broadcast media have done an abysmal job of covering this story. Among other things, the CA, in its relentless pursuit of sensationalism, violated its own (and most media outlets') standards by publishing a picture showing the face of a dead 16 year old. I have no doubt that when the full story of this incident comes out, the media will end up with quite a bit of egg on its face.
P.S. And no, I'm not "Frank."
I should hope not, because Frank seems to misunderstand where that quote came from. That bit came directly from the suspect's website.
There is no such thing as a "good" cop. If you are a moral & ethical person before you join the force, after rookie year you are corrupt or you quit. The very role of police is to enforce oppressive laws & extract revenue. They do NOT serve. They do NOT protect. They are merely thugs doing henchmen work for wealthy elitist politicians. Victims of crime know this. Anyone who has relied on 911 knows this.
While violent felons are released early for "good" behavior, punishment for non-violent offenders skyrockets. Seat belt violators & no blinker offenders find themselves working OT to pay for pissant zero crimes while the local pedophile or rapist is furloughed. There is no revenue in fighting gang violence. There is no revenue in catching child molesters. However, there is a TON of money in lowering the alcohol limit to one beer & making everyday people - sudden criminals. There is a TON of money for the courts, attorneys, judges, insurance companies, secretary of state, & jails. There is a TON of money in confiscating cars, homes, money, bank accounts, anything. That TON of money is the working mans - not the thief or rapist. The target is you.
It is a FACT that police departments do NOT hire smart recruits. They purposely seek low IQ rookies because low IQ people dont ask questions. They do as they're told - they enforce. Thats exactly what the "system" wants. Its exactly why you see more & more police abuse. The media lies, distorts, misleads, & even ignores REAL news while police run biserck. The media predominately sides with thug enforcement as they seek the same agenda - control & revenue.
Truth, justice, rights & liberty left America long ago. Our treasonous politicians sold your grandchildrens future when they got their new yacht & summer home from lobbyists. Legislation favors those who write it. You are a slave. You own nothing that cant be siezed. You go nowhere that cant be tracked. Everything you do is questionable. Every penny you earn & spend is taxed. You are NOT free. Following lopsided legislation is the propaganda media - telling you banks are good & roadblocks are for your safety. Cameras help you & Prozac is necessary. Check out Survivor - TV is relaxing.
Joseph & Jerry Kane will be demonized, ridiculed, slandered, & labeled everytime the main stream media & Government want to coerce their agenda. Waco, Ruby Ridge, 9/11, Ed & Elaine Brown, The Huttaree debacle show us their intent & butchery. This will be no different. Know what it is, see it, remember it. Women & children are NOT exempt - just ask any war veteran. Ask Vicki Weaver. Ask Joe Kane. Your suffrage is brought to you by brain dead bully cops & self righteous politicians; prosecutors who only care about wins & judges who only care about being elected.
A spectacle of tyranny so you can learn the new version of Freedom. Thank God its not your family...............this time.
Look...one of the officers was shot in the BACK of the head and a 16 year old and his "father" are carrying AK-47's in a vehicle with NO license plate around the I-40 corridor in Memphis! Bizarre? Yeah, really bizarre but more stupid and brainwashed than anything else.
Mr. O'Malley, if what you're saying is true, I hope the evil men in black from the wicked federal government start the crackdown at the top of the Bill of Right and work their way down it, beginning by taking away our First Amendment rights. That way, if I'm going to get screwed by The Man, at least I won't have to listen to paranoid maniacs like you anymore.
Auto, I'd second that were it not for this leather boot perpetually grinding on my tongue.
Mr. Autogocrat, What I'm saying is generally true, there are exceptions to every rule.
I admit, I expect nothing less from a feminine coward like yourself. In fact, I'd say its par for the course. I would NOT expect you to lift a finger for any reason where you may break a nail.
Throughout history, there resides millions of cowards like you who refuse to acknowledge what's happening before their very eyes & bury their heads in the sand. You are not unique, nor is your attempt at wit very clever. Just another Nazi citizen watching Jews led off to death camps. Its much easier to make funny & label others as paranoid & maniacal.
I fully understand US public education has "dumbed down" its children to accomodate people like you. Its sad the USA ranks lower than 3rd world nations in Science & Mathematics. The core classes that heighten critical thought. Combined with the Psychotropic drugs shoveled down our childrens throats - those stupid children become stupid adults....just like you. No, Im not surprised at all.
I'll just mosey on over to my tinfoil hat where I can be delusional just like you.
Politicians are honest, wars dont kill women & children, Police dont abuse power, Prosecutors dont send innocent people to prison, there is no fluoride or mercury in our drinking water, media tells the whole truth, the IRS is totally fair, JFK was killed w/ one bullet, 9/11 was just how they said it was, the CIA doesnt do false flag operations, more laws are really good for me, roadblocks are for my safety, freedom of speech is bad, Intrusive search & siezure anytime they want is for my protection, electronic tracking chips dont exist, only our fair honest helpful police should have guns, banker bailouts saved us, CraCK****
SnaP**** My tinfoil hat is......Mary had a little lamb.....failing.
CrACKle*** Humpty Dumpty fell.......****SNap***
Had to take off the delusional dum dum cap. It was failing like your brain. I'm not into fairytales & fantasies - I choose to think. Dont worry Autoegocrat - We'll still fight for your liberty buddy - the disabled need to be represented.
It's astonishing what assumptions you will make about a complete stranger. Simply astonishing.
Shame on you SHAMUS...had those men not shot at the police then this wouldnt be an issue.
Corrupt cops...true they do exist, but i can disprove your claim that every cop is corrupt. My father was a police officer for ten years where I grow up in a run down trailer because he didnt accept bribes, didn't steal/sell drugs from the evidence locker, upheld the laws meant to protect the American citizens, and raised myself and brother in the same manner.
Some people actually believe in something better than themselves. obviously you dont because you obviously try to find the horrible in everything to make yourself fell better.
I am a resident of West Memphis, Arkansas. Graduated West Memphis High School and am continuing my education at Mid-South CC.
Through my life there I have met one cop in general that works security at the college. He was trained by my Father, is a Christian man and I would trust him with my life. There are still cops, and citizens in this country that believe what is right.
By the way to anyone else who reads this...i am 100% certain that should SHAMUS have a robber in his/her house, his/her family kidnapped, or in any other manner have his life threatened...THE FIRST THING HE WILL DO IS SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
Remember the fallen...both injured and killed. Remember the suspects...they did not have to shoot (obviously seen shooting back from the Channel 5 Memphis Helicopter camera). Pray for YOUR country.
Wow... taking up for a couple murders! Impressive... but not as impressive as the paranoid rant of someone losing touch with reality.
Do we all hate taxes? YES
Do we all think the government oversteps it's bounds? YES
Do we think police have better things to do than give someone a parking ticket? YES
Do we think the politics in office are worthless (most of them)? YES
Do we want Shamus to take his meds and lay off the moronic "The man is gonna get ya!" BS? YES!
Okay, so there you have it! Shamus needs his meds and the government needs fixed. Settled in that short of time! I'm good huh? :D
Seriously Shamus, if you are taking up for these two scam artist/murders... may God have mercy on your soul. You are as lost as they were.
With respect for the considerable truth in more than a few of Mr. O'Malley's statements, I observe that "drug interdiction" stops based on nothing more than profiling are a very, very bad thing, yet they have crept up as yet another ever-extending loss of freedom under non-alcohol Prohibition, until such practices become part of the background noise accepted by reporters as not to be noted or challenged.
Cops never make mistakes, and they never lie.
Here is their story:
Two Hispanics in a white van with an orange roof used AK47s to kill two cops at a routine drug interdiction roadblock.
A bit later in the day, a white van with a white roof, was at WalMart, with two white guys. The cops ordered the guys out of the van, when they refused, they were killed.
Where is the proof that the two vans, and the two sets of guys, are the same? Where are the videos from the cop cars, the WalMart security cams, the police audio tapes, the 911 & police dispatchers? Are two cop-killer Hispanic guys still on the loose with AK47s? Will the cops try to find them, or will they just try the two dead white guys, because they can't mount a defense from the grave?
Is there proof, or will this turn out be a "cop error" like the 7-year old girl, burned by a flash-bang grenade that was tossed into the wrong side of a duplex, who was then shot in the head by cops to stop her screams?
The simple facts here are undeniable, 4 people are dead because of the far-right wingnuts and their vile poison.
It's your right to dislike the police. It's your right to dislike the government. It's your right to disapprove of the war on drugs. These dislikes do not give you the right to shoot and kill anyone. Period.
Shamus, you need to turn off the right wing radio programs.
Tex, you have obviously never been in a situation in which your life is on the line. It does get a bit a hectic.
And if this pisses some people off, then so be it but the WMPD did what they had to do and while it will never bring back those officers killed, at least these vermin will not be able to spit their venom any longer.
Now, are the Limbaughs and Becks of the fringe right going to be implicated? Are they going to even acknowledge their part in this tragedy? I seriously doubt it.
*Are they going to even acknowledge their part in this tragedy? I seriously doubt it.*
I notice that our local anti-gummint faux conservatives TV and CHG have made themselves conspicuous by their absence, while the faux liberal Humbug is claiming that the shooters are only 'alleged' to be shooters, or extremists... or dead.
Friedrich Schiller was right...
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I don't know who "shot the sheriff" in this instance, and neither does anyone who's still living to tell about it. But I do know that rushing to judgment is NEVER a good thing, and that just because the police say or do something doesn't automatically make it either true or right.
In the course of history, there have been innumerable instances in which the wrong person was suspected, charged, convicted or, yes, sometimes even shot, for a crime they didn't commit. I'm reminded of the case of Richard Jewell, the wrongly suspected Olympic Park bomber. And, let's not forget: although it is by no means unique, West Memphis has a history of rushing to judgment in highly emotional cases.
All I'm saying is, we don't know what the facts are about who shot the West Memphis police officers (which even the Arkansas State Police have acknowledged), and neither the gunfight at the WalMart, nor the out-of-the-mainstream political or philosophical beliefs of the people who were killed during it, prove that they were the ones who killed the policemen. Hard as it may be to swallow, they are, as I said earlier, innocent until proven guilty, and it would be well for everyone, and particularly the media which have already tried and convicted them (i.e., the first sentence of this blog post), to remember that.
Actually, we do know who shot the sheriff -- and his deputy. Both officers are in the hospital right now, and there is no doubt they were shot by the Kanes, firing from their white van.
There IS technically "doubt" -- though not particularly reasonable, IMO -- as to who shot officers Paudert and Evans. We know it was two guys in a white van, from the initial police reports and the calls for backup, and the ensuing APB for two men in a white van. I may be jumping to conclusions, but I have little doubt that slug matches and further investigations will make it quite clear that there is NOT another white van of cop-killers on the lam.
Since this is my blog and I express my opinions here, I called the Kanes cop-killers. In the legal sense, Gadfly is correct: They are "alleged" cop killers. If that makes anyone feel better, well, you're welcome.
Gee, what are the odds there were two pairs of "alleged cop shooters/killers" in West Memphis on Thursday?
Shamus may have some of the facts right, but important nuances -- such as the fairly pedestrian observation that individuals within an organization are not representative of the whole, or likewise, that anyone who rightly rejects his absurd conspiracy mongering is not necessarily some bleating sheep -- are completely lost on him. As it is, he's a useful idiot; his blind indignation and reckless paranoia are far more likely to contribute to the acceleration of the erosion of the republic than they are to halt it in any meaningful way.
I used to think like him -- when I was a teenager. When I became an adult, I discovered that correlation does not equal conspiracy, that my opponents are not necessarily my enemies, that conformity does not amount to consent, and that anger junkies are destined to become very lonely and bitter revolutionaries.
P.S. Shamus, you don't even have your conspiracy theories right. The Warren Commission never said that Kennedy was killed by a single bullet. The Single Bullet theory refers to the bullet that his both Kennedy and Governor Connally, not the one that struck the President's head. If you were doing your homework instead of repeating what you've been told, you would probably know that.
BV: I was using "shot the sheriff" figuratively to refer to the officers who were killed during the I-40 interdiction incident. As for who "shot the sheriff" in the Walmart parking lot, I don't think anything's been conclusively determined about that either, since we don't know, for certain, whose bullets hit those officers in that literal hail of bullets from all directions that was exchanged between the occupants of the "white van" and the officers who encircled it.
As Daniel Patrick Moynihan so cogently observed, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but no one is entitled to their own facts. Since neither of us knows the facts concerning the initial incident on I-40 (or, for that matter, the Walmart incident), neither of us has any factual basis to opine about it. For example, I haven't seen the police reports or heard the calls for backup or the APB you refer to since, to my knowledge, none of that has been made public by the WMPD. If you've seen or heard any of that (rather than read about it in media accounts), you obviously have sources I don't.
My criticism of the coverage was that the media were substituting rank speculation and innuendo based on guilt by association for facts in reporting the incident and in concluding, by implication, that the WMPD "got their man." There is still, for example, some confusion about the "white van." I've heard that it had Ohio plates, but I've also heard it had none (which would be consistent with the suspects' "sovereign" beliefs, and was possibly the reason the van was pulled over in the first place---something we also still don't know).
I'm just saying, I think the media (both print and broadcast, and however presented) should hold their fire (if you'll excuse that expression) about drawing any conclusions concerning culpability for this incident until they're sure their aim is accurate, and that, in my opinion, will require considerably more facts than are known now, which won't be for some time yet to come.
no matter what happen the officer should have not died the old saying you kill a cop then you must dye they were oulled over for drugs that what there out there to do and i think people are tired bieng harassed by the bullie that work interstate poeple need treated with respect
why do i get the feeling that shamus only pretends to believe this stuff so he can just go about doing whatever the hell he wants and meanwhile the rest of us should fuck off?
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