NIPS: Nipping at the heels of authority..............................short articles for those who do not like to read very much!
More questions surround the death of Ibragim Todashev, as possible crime scene photo is examined by B Blake
April 29 2014
Official reports
In March 2014, Florida's Ninth Circuit State Attorney Jeffrey L. Ashton determined that the shooting death of Ibragim Todashev, a friend of alleged marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was justified by the FBI agent who shot him.
His report concluded that there was no wrongdoing in the shooting of Todashev and that 'the actions of the Special Agent of the FBI were justified in self-defense and in defense of another'.
The finding concurred with an FBI internal review of the shooting, which also supported the agent's account.
Richard I. Wallsh, executive director of the state attorney's office said at the time:
His report concluded that there was no wrongdoing in the shooting of Todashev and that 'the actions of the Special Agent of the FBI were justified in self-defense and in defense of another'.
The finding concurred with an FBI internal review of the shooting, which also supported the agent's account.
Richard I. Wallsh, executive director of the state attorney's office said at the time:
"Based on the physical evidence, primarily the various findings of the autopsy, coupled with the reports that we received and the lack of inconsistency, the events seemed to have occurred the way the agents said that they occurred and that there was no basis to bring criminal charges, that it was a lawful use of deadly force"
Circumstances of Todashev's death
According to the reports, Todashev was in the process of writing a hand written confession to the Waltham triple murders of 2011, when for no apparent reason he 'flipped out', leading to an altercation that concluded with his death.
While the two people present in the room were not directly observing Todashev (a Massachusetts State Trooper and an FBI agent), he allegedly propelled a coffee table into the air, striking the agent on the back of his head. He then ran to the kitchen area of his Florida apartment, where is was observed rustling through drawers and searching for what the agent and trooper presumed might have been weapon.
After being temporarily stunned by the flying coffee table, the Federal agent rose to his feet, pulled his weapon and began shouting orders to Mr. Todashev. Todashev then turned and was seen moving in the direction of the MST officer carrying a long pole which he was said to be holding 'javelin style'.
Fearing for the life of the trooper, the FBI agent shot Todashev three or four times. The MSP officer heard the shots coming from his right and states he saw Ibragim Todashev's body 'twist and turn' in reaction to being struck by the shots. Mr. Todashev then dropped to his knees, but immediately sprung toward the officers again in what the MSP officer described as a 'low angled lunge'.
The FBI agent then fired additional shots which incapacitated Mr. Todashev and resulted in his death.
After being temporarily stunned by the flying coffee table, the Federal agent rose to his feet, pulled his weapon and began shouting orders to Mr. Todashev. Todashev then turned and was seen moving in the direction of the MST officer carrying a long pole which he was said to be holding 'javelin style'.
Fearing for the life of the trooper, the FBI agent shot Todashev three or four times. The MSP officer heard the shots coming from his right and states he saw Ibragim Todashev's body 'twist and turn' in reaction to being struck by the shots. Mr. Todashev then dropped to his knees, but immediately sprung toward the officers again in what the MSP officer described as a 'low angled lunge'.
The FBI agent then fired additional shots which incapacitated Mr. Todashev and resulted in his death.
Inconsistencies, questions, and a new photo
Despite Richard I. Wallsh' statement to the contrary, a number of inconsistensies have been documented within both reports, not least of which surrounded the explanation for Mr Todashev being shot in the back and in the head. Somehow he sustained those wounds, despite being shot from the front.
The explanation of him 'twisting and turning' and 'lunging at a low angle' has never really been satisfactory - a point not lost to the Florida State Attorney himself, who seemed rather uncomfortable with his own findings on the matter.
We recently came into possession of a crime scene photo that if genuine (it has yet to be verified and appears to contain anomalies), shows Ibragim Todashev's body laying in situ, after he was shot. It may explain why some of those tasked with investigating the incident had reservations about the FBI's version of events.
Considering Todashev's positioning in such a narrow spot, could he really have 'twisted and turned' to such an extent that he was able to be shot in the back? Was he carrying a packet of cigarettes in his hand at the time of his death, as well as the pole? When was he shot in the head exactly? Were items moved at the crime scene?
As a note of caution, the photo is upsetting and shows a dead body. It is available to view here.
The explanation of him 'twisting and turning' and 'lunging at a low angle' has never really been satisfactory - a point not lost to the Florida State Attorney himself, who seemed rather uncomfortable with his own findings on the matter.
We recently came into possession of a crime scene photo that if genuine (it has yet to be verified and appears to contain anomalies), shows Ibragim Todashev's body laying in situ, after he was shot. It may explain why some of those tasked with investigating the incident had reservations about the FBI's version of events.
Considering Todashev's positioning in such a narrow spot, could he really have 'twisted and turned' to such an extent that he was able to be shot in the back? Was he carrying a packet of cigarettes in his hand at the time of his death, as well as the pole? When was he shot in the head exactly? Were items moved at the crime scene?
As a note of caution, the photo is upsetting and shows a dead body. It is available to view here.
Related posts:
A tale of two confessions
Who's stalling now? The BMB 'official report' circus continues
Suspected Terrorists or Terrorizing Suspects? The Killing of Ibragim Todashev
Who's stalling now? The BMB 'official report' circus continues
Suspected Terrorists or Terrorizing Suspects? The Killing of Ibragim Todashev
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________________________________________________
We actively encourage comments, discussion and debate on this site! Please remember to keep it relevant and be respectful at all times.