#maryknowlton

[voiceofthemillennial]

⁣⁣⁣ Back on August 9th, 2016 during a demonstration with civilians in Punta Gorda, Florida to show the types of struggles police officers go through, officer Lee Coel shot and killed 73 year-old Mary Knowlton. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ It was decided a lethal force simulation would be held at the police station in Punta Gorda and Mary was selected with another volunteer to participate. Mary played the role of the cop and the officer took the role of aggressor. Rather than firing blanks at cop role Mary, Officer Coel fired two live bullets resulting in Mary falling to the ground. Occurring so suddenly and I expectantly, the 30 spectators believed Mary was playing the part of the robber until they flipped her over and realized she had a hole in her chest and was bleeding. CPR was attempted by officers before transporting her to the hospital where she died an hour later.⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Fast forward to 2019, it is almost the 3 year anniversary of her death and Officer Coel has yet to stand trial for a manslaughter charge and is free on bond. Coel remained on the job for 7 months after her death before being fired once the state attorney filed charges. Coel was scheduled to stand trial last month in June, but his date has now been moved for the third time to Oct. 15, 2019. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ “I haven’t given up hope,” Steve Knowlton (son of victim) says, “but I don’t think we’re going to get justice.”⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ #MAGA #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #BlueLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatter #Florida #PuntaGorda #PuntaGordaFlorida #GunRights #GunLaws #2ndAmendment #MaryKnowlton #LeeCoel #PuntaGordaPoliceDepartment #VOTM⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Sources: CBS.com, ABCNews.com, Time.com (at Punta Gorda Police Department) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0SUBb7D-QQ/?igshid=2u8hf6ffyx4c