Verdict: Judge reads verdict in former deputy Zachary Wester drug-planting case

Watch the verdict being read in all 67 counts against Zach Wester.
GAVEL-TO-GAVEL COVERAGE: The Tallahassee Democrat will livestream each day of the trial of fired deputy Zach Wester from the courthouse in Marianna on Tallahassee.com, as well as our KZbin and Facebook pages. For best viewing experience: Download the Tallahassee Democrat app to watch and receive text alerts on when to watch - from opening arguments to the verdict. Check back daily online for live updates and analysis from veteran reporter Jeff Burlew, who broke news of the Wester case and the exonerations that followed.
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[@jcager10]

Just imagine how many innocent civilian lives he’s ruined

[@robertfitzsimmons9428]

Technically it’s 114 cases of his that he may have tampered with.

[@misstiffty]

Here’s the current math he’s facing based on minimums.. mandatory minimum is 81 months = almost 7 years Maximum is approximately. 85 years On the 19 guilty verdicts. Should the racketeering charge be dropped, WESTER will still have up to 55 years in jail. Official math according to Florida and Federal law. He’s done. Maybe Jeremy Dewitt will hire him for high risk Florida funerals with metro state. Ultimate punishment lays right there.. after a long time marinating in a cage. Justice is not blind, deaf, nor dumb.. this Judge & Jury locked this case down in a bulletproof way. Excellence and actual justice at work!

[@brandonmcgillis]

@@misstiffty thank you that was very informative

[@iholesale]

People lost jobs, children in custody issues. They went to jail, had cars towed, hired lawyers and paid thousands of dollars. He really ruined lifes

[@misstiffty]

​@@iholesale the best part for those that weren’t mentioned during the, “beyond any reasonable doubt.” portion of the trial will have a great deal more luck in a civil trial. Consider the oj Simpson trial as it’s been in the news a bit more lately. Je was found to not be proven guilty in a trial of his peers.. however, the families of his *alleged victims. In my opinion and the opinion of other courts, he was found liable in civil courts and ordered huge payments to the surviving family members of his victims, my opinion, please take that for but one of many others that may see it differently, Oh was ordered to pay mega millions for causing the gruesome loss of life. This is what WESTER has to look forward to. There is no bankruptcy court that will not allow his victims to seek financial remedy to be made whole. His pattern was proven, in big boy court. Civil court will find clever ways for him to be made to pay for his intentional acts. For this, let’s be grateful that our laws & system of trying & judging the innocent from the guilty, is generally the very best justice system in the world. Unless, of course, it’s about the Epstein’s, lifelong politicians, hunter b’s laptop self incriminating that is far beyond the proof required to hold him accountable, especially regarding the very young victims he recorded, plus a multitude of felonious acts. The well lest kept secret in Hollywood like the illegal acts of movie moguls, etc.. they tend to act with Carter Blanche- disregarding all laws, as those only apply.to normal people. They are very different to all of us, and those harmed by their actions, many often won’t bother to file any report as the victims are vulnerable and easiest to prey on- such as the many targeted by WESTER, he aimed most of his drug planting ops on those that were living right and had worked hard to regain custody and overcome their demons. Those acts of evil cannot be washed out. WESTER created the fake felonies & acted them out in a Pre planned manner, and then lectured them about being letting them wrong people in your car.. the one common denominator always being WESTER in these situations. He made sure they paid, paid, amd would continue to pay as long as h had any way of getting into their property. The one horrible precedent it set was to demonstrate that officers who turn off or have a body cam malfunction, no jury can vote beyond a reasonable doubt. Lots of video missing which meant he would have been able to have other charges overturned for lack of solid proof. All considered, 19 charges in an enormous win for the victims & citizens. Sends a very strong message. It won’t get the time away from their children back, etc, luckily they will appreciate each moment that much more. May you all be blessed and, keep those darn pens and start straws from fast food places out of your car. The tidier the car, the harder it is for anyone to place something inside of it and blame you for that. Plus, it does feel good to have a car on the cleaner side. 😉

[@ohokcool]

A cop imprisoning the innocent is like a doctor poisoning his patients

[@geraldchavana305]

Sadly that does happen actually a lot of caretakers caregivers doctors nurses I forgot the name of the mental illness that it is but they make these patients of their stink that they're sick as their caretaker or doctor claims them to be and they drug the hell out of them to make them look sick and they give them medications that they don't need which makes them even more sick so yeah dude this stuff exists and it happens

[@killahoe9748]

Sounds like covid19

[@elmerfudd1086]

@@killahoe9748 i agree, BUT. Covid is real, its just no where near as deadly as we are told. In those LTC homes if a person came down with covid , they put them into a ward with other covid patients. Thus ensuring that they never recover. If we take every covid death that occured inside one of these death camps the numbers would be low enough that they couldnt justify calling it a pandemic.

[@elmerfudd1086]

But that happens too.

[@ohokcool]

@@elmerfudd1086 yup, there are some crazy sickening stories

[@arthurpeters7412]

Imagine how many illegal things he's done that he's never been caught for? Bigger criminal than anyone he's ever arrested!

[@Deezbustednutz]

Yeah just listen to all the cases he was charged with and still got not guilty verdicts on. So even when they do ruin lives and are charged with it they still don't have to pay.

[@arthurpeters7412]

@@Deezbustednutz facts

[@cindland]

That’s what I think! All the others who didn’t get a conviction for their wrongful cases! So not fair. I guess they have to sue him civilly. Or sue the department and municipality.

[@fuckednegativemind]

Imagine what the rest of his department is doing, those officers still plant drugs and arrest innocents while he is in prison. And he is only 26 years old, imagine what a 50 years old officer has done during his carrier...

[@robertcarter6066]

@@fuckednegativemind and his career😀

[@cararogers8487]

This is more than corruption, this individual is sick!!! Making others suffer to his gain...HORRIBLE!!!!

[@karenemoug]

And not even much gain, just heartless

[@karenemoug]

@Facts Don't care about your feelings ... Or him ... It was just another 'notch' or whatever you call it

[@lauryn7840]

@@karenemoug Exactly.

[@johnsharman7614]

Cara you are soo right about him wat a horrible person who has upset all those people lives some of them got the sack and some Relationships were Ruined some Unrepairable and lost their rights to look after their own children how they must be feeling? Try and imagine you've just had your kids taken off you and your sat in Prison for something you haven't done. You can't do anything about it you don't know what is going to happen and you are classed as a Drug addict All because Some Sick In The HEAD Who's A SAD BOY cos he isn't a man 6'5'' of a COWARD ROT.👹👹

[@temper7859]

Really sick in his heart n brain

[@dannyfloyd1368]

Just imagine how many people lives he's RUINED FASELY should be given the MAXX and then some

[@garrybarry4286]

One way to decide sentencing would be to add up the times of all those he falsely imprisoned. Would that not be a just time for this piece of human trash?

[@Doormanswift]

@@garrybarry4286 That was my thought.

[@johnsharman7614]

Yes Exactly notice that the Majority of the People who he stopped were Vulnerable and of a mild nature that Wouldn't be Violent towards him. I'm my opinion he would have access to all of their History Some more than Others and then hang around were they lived Car registration etc. I don't see him stopping anyone that was Violent or under the influence or anything else that my have incriminate them it was just meek and mild Citizen's who he would Stop and Search. In Layman's terms An EASY COP.

[@JillofAllTrades2]

@Skrewewe Toob Ouch ... no vaseline? Man, you are brutal!

[@KandiXoXoXo]

@@JillofAllTrades2 He deserves NO vaseline!!! He phucked people's LIVES up!! Phuck that POS.

[@wc7318]

It's impossible to think he's the only one. There are more around the country wearing a badge doing the same thing. He just happened to get caught.

[@BlueSky-fr5yq]

How did he get caught?

[@freyawoodstock2534]

@@BlueSky-fr5yq I believe they were reviewing his body cams and saw him planting the drugs.

[@johnsharman7614]

Lots More you have only to look over the past 2 years Murder of several black people and physical attacks on other Now we have Police planting Drugs on unsuspecting Motorists (before someone reply to my Comments) ( Zachary Wester) Guilty on 19 Accounts. Sentencing Monday Next.

[@AtlasLathe]

I seriously doubt he was the only officer in his department that knew of these crimes

[@lauryn7840]

He couldn't have been the only one.

[@caseyarealking]

now, make him wear his old police costume to prison.

[@Tiger-From-Clemson]

🐷🐖💩🐖💩🐖💩🐖💩🐖💩

[@johnsharman7614]

I love your Comment. 🤣😁🤣😁🤣😁🤣😁

[@johnsharman7614]

@@Tiger-From-Clemson 🤣😁🤣😁🤣😁🤣😁

[@ElGatoLoco698]

@Augustine Lopez I spent a few months in prison. This guy will spend the rest of his days isolated. If he's lucky they might put him in with the "special" people. You know, those who are elderly, infirm, gay, mentally unstable, vulnerable or anyone who can't handle general population. Basically the people who you don't want to be friends with.

[@awalk56]

Only the top. Just a thong for bottoms & of course, freshly shaven legs.

[@Incognito-vc9wj]

There's nothing lower than a corrupt cop.

[@mainely8007]

and his fellow officers who pretend they didn't have any idea as their unions instruct them to do.

[@Dragonfryers]

Except those who protect them.

[@jeriscully6088]

How about 2 corrupt cops, trump, his family, all his lying corrupt buddies?

[@kristinen9854]

Hell has a special place . . . . . . .

[@mcneildelancy4536]

Wait they will find a way to go LOWER

[@jamesross1003]

Now add kidnapping charges as that is what false imprisonment is by definition.

[@grantyboy0311]

Kidnapping is moving someone by force. In some states if you point a gun at someone and say get back, that’s kidnapping.

[@jamesross1003]

@@grantyboy0311 They arrested and incarcerated some people that this guy framed by planting drugs, that is kidnapping.

[@travisgilliam5]

@@grantyboy0311 yes you are correct. They were removed from society by force, under false pretenses. So technically it should be classified as kidnapping in this case

[@meaghancote-mcauley79]

James Ross Anytime someone goes to jail and they were falsely put there, they can be awarded almost 4 thousand weekly! False imprisonment , falsely being detained! Hey came into this a little late! Was the guy who was arrested also a cop in the past?? Which was which? The guys name who was falsely arrested and who was the police officer?

[@jamesross1003]

@@meaghancote-mcauley79 The man in this video was an officer. He got caught planting drugs on people in order to arrest them to pad his arrest numbers. He was fired and this is his trial.

[@debsayler624]

I just hope the other people that he wasn't found guilty of framing will all file civil suits and win them

[@CheyennefromTaos]

Me too 😡

[@ipsurvivor]

They need to get their convictions terminated in their favor or their section 1983 civil rights claims will be _Heck_ barred. That means if a successful claim would impugn their charges or convictions then they are barred from suit. They also might be time barred but there could be an avenue to sue if certain information wasn’t available to them at the time that they ordinarily should have filed claims. Like that the officer may have planted drugs in their vehicles.

[@lauryn7840]

Same

[@michaelmumby2328]

Every case involving this scumbag should now be scrutinised and reversed . with compensation coming from him personally.

[@Raykibb1]

@@michaelmumby2328: I’m sure he does not have much money left after paying for his attorneys.

[@why-even-try-brotendo]

I have a feeling he was guilty of every count in reality.

[@cholly853]

Of course he is. He wouldn't be in court in the first place if he weren't.

[@Exitof99]

The problem is proving them in court, but I agree, he's probably guilty on all charges.

[@matterofrights2344]

@@cholly853 backwards logic, this is the same logic police have that get them in trouble. It is innocent until proven guilty, you are saying guilty for being charged.

[@cholly853]

@@matterofrights2344 It has nothing to do with logic or rights. It has to do with privilege. He's a cop and they'll let him off on what ever they can get away with by minimizing his crimes. It happens all the time.

[@deandredunbar9618]

Yeah he got off lite cuz he's a cop. He's guilty on all those charges

[@tomaszhoekstra7357]

And now go after his superiors, they have turned a blind eye

[@gowsif_dnb]

They were even warned by the department that previously fired him NOT to hire him.

[@Hohmies86]

Yes this is only the tip of the iceberg

[@magneto9555]

@@gowsif_dnb they should ovr turn all of his drug cases.

[@carllennen3520]

@@magneto9555 They did. Over 120 people had their convictions vacated. They couldnt prove that he did this to all 120+, but it doesnt matter. His involvement in their case at all, gave them an automatic pass. Im sure there where a lot of them that where actually guilty, but because he was caught being a scumbag, they got to walk. Justice was halfway served so far. Hopefully the ones who can prove he set them up, get paid out big time. Even though their charges where dropped, and people got their convictions overturned, they still had to go through the entire ordeal, and their lives are already ruined because of it.

[@Hohmies86]

@@carllennen3520 we mean the rest of the department and others that have ignored his behavior and prolly are doing the same

[@sydnidowney3598]

I guess this is another one of the BAD APPLES who are destroying the entire damned orchard.

[@10.thbone42]

IT'S THE TREE THAT'S BAD 👺🧒🏼👹🐷

[@toybonniethebunny5444]

@@10.thbone42 ACABC

[@mayday8602]

@@10.thbone42 That's a real good one!

[@vonclod123]

Right, this guy operated while the so called good apple looked away..no good apples..maybe 10-15%, the rest, drones, or flat out criminals themselves

[@mayday8602]

@@vonclod123 I'm not even sure I'd give it 10-15%...maybe 2-5%.

[@jamese.johnson8647]

THIS man planted drugs on all those people. Look at the lifes he ruined everyone he had contact with FOR drugs should be set free.THE COP DESERVES LIFE NO PROROLE.

[@cfscarnivoremax7987]

He was a good cop

[@dehartfamily3091]

@@cfscarnivoremax7987 ok Zack.

[@cfscarnivoremax7987]

@@dehartfamily3091 who is zack?

[@cfscarnivoremax7987]

@Jenn jenn what

[@newdogatplay]

They all should set free

[@reidabney2915]

Hope all victims are compensated well

[@johnsharman7614]

Yes they Should be and Compensated well. He thought that he was in Charge and I'm Sure he got a Kick out of it. ie.Im in Control Cos I'm a Cop. I'm UNTOUCHABLE !

[@goffredoify]

Reid Abney yes but probably out of court so you won't hear it nor see it on the news.

[@thelyingscotsman7993]

They won't be because all 19 charges he was found guilty of were only against 3 victims.

[@brandonator1337]

Out of his own pocket too like where those drugs came from

[@brookemahan8063]

@@thelyingscotsman7993 it could still go through civil courts, which I hope it does, so the victims can get some financial compensation.

[@drofmah3836]

END "QUALIFIED IMMUNITY" for police and these types of numbers of cases will surely drop.

[@shivasirons6159]

Damm straight!

[@kevinpatrick3280]

There is no qualified immunity for a for police officer who commits a deliberate criminal act. Never has been.

[@JB-dk3qc]

@@kevinpatrick3280 how many of those deliberate acts have been covered up you speak of?

[@Tmanaz480]

Surprisingly, the current SC is hinting at doing something about it. There is no qualified immunity law. It rests only on flawed supreme court rulings.

[@afrocraft1]

@@kevinpatrick3280 This is inaccurate. The point of qualified immunity is that it erects a legal shield around cops performing their duties. You first have to pierce that armor.

[@easyabc1404]

Not satisfied. Only 3 victims got justice among the 12.

[@christopheraaron8299]

That doesn't mean they won't get anything in their civil lawsuits.

[@bethlouden971]

They didnt have the evidence to prove it. You always have to remember "reasonable doubt"

[@easyabc1404]

@@bethlouden971 Do you really think he was innocent? Guilty as hell. I wonder what happenned there. They did not gave justice to that guy who lost custody of his children. Do you REALLY think he did it ONLY three times? He lied on the stand while his lawyer asked him why he left the first police department. He said he disagreeded with the chief of police while he was fired for sexual misconduct! And naturally, hired elsewhere where he did worse offenses! Anyway, 19 on 67 is better than nothing. He won't be a police officer anymore, his wife will divorce, he lost all his friends, probably family members, siblings, neighbors, police buddies, job, freedom, etc. I ''prefer'' seeing Chauvin ruining one people's life than seeing him ruining tons of lives. And if they did not catcht him on august 1, 2018, he would have done it to another one that day and over and over...

[@berryreadable]

@@easyabc1404 She is not saying that. Reasonable doubt means that the prosecutor simply did not provide enough evidence and that is the only thing the jury is allowed to go by. She is right. They did not have enough evidence for all of them.

[@bethlouden971]

@@easyabc1404 did I say that?? I said there was not enough hard evidence for those. Based on EVIDENCE ALONE..there WAS reasonable doubt

[@AutomaticGats]

Doesn't look like he's in the Christmas spirit anymore!!

[@bkardi2566]

Gotta say I sure am. Just finished smoking some super sour diesel!😂🤣😂

[@JDJD-mw9rr]

Funny how that changes....

[@ZacTexC]

Man good ol sour D. Miss those days

[@ZacTexC]

His Christmas singing was to let the other officer know there was a gift

[@bkardi2566]

Wuts up you don't puff anymore?

[@joannjohnson8283]

Made me sick every time they said not guilty.

[@lordsozehcp5362]

Same!!

[@06barcafan10]

So where were all the good cops when this man was abusing his authority? Are we to believe they didn’t know? Please……

[@ricklatham996]

Standing there letting him do it because of their juvenile "code.of silence". The other ahole cops let it happen and then wonder why they all get a bad rap and people can't stand or trust them. Until they start turning in the ones they know are bad nothing is going to change. But none of them are smart enough to understand that

[@Tmanaz480]

If there were any good cops, we'd have no bad cops.

[@anotherOneMore7]

I'm not sure how you think all the cops would know he was doing this. Certainly there could be a few working together to make things even worse but the idea that they all knew is not reasonable. A "good cop" would first have to know something was going on before being able to respond. What is more disturbing is that probably on a lot of teams, anyone trying to point out bad behavior will receive negative feedback / harassment from their coworkers or supervisors and they will likely quit the job before making any headway. That is the big problem.

[@edwardhall2359]

I'm just curious how you think this was investigated? It was a prosecutor who first noticed discrepancies in his reports and got an investigation going. It was other cops who did a lot of that investigation. This guy was a cop for Jackson county for about a year. The people he targeted were already in the system making it reasonable that they were drug users. The way this guy got caught is that someone noticed an unusual pattern. Unfortunately all those people who got false charges had to suffer before that was discovered.

[@dd-jm1md]

I expect they joined the circle-jerk, each time: sickoes…

[@bobe3250]

Guilty on 19 charges. That's a crooked cop. Let's see how crooked the judge is when it comes time for sentencing.

[@misstiffty]

We can only hope justice is blind where it comes to the severity of destroying more public trust in law enforcement.

[@phillipwhite8463]

I bet the jury took one look at the victim and decided they were not victims. Appearance are every thing in our society.

[@daviddobiesz]

Minimums on everything to run concurrent. Remainder suspended with time served.

[@stevejames9167]

How much he get?

[@greekmaster1001]

Does any one know when the sentencing is?

[@ellahenderson2381]

He got away with much more than 19 ,Now let’s see if he’s going to pay for all the hell he put those people Thur,We have seen people get put away for 70,80 120 +years ,At least they finally caught him.

[@Dragonfryers]

He may get 30 days deferred and do little to no time. Qualified immunity will protect him even though he's guilty on so many charges. The officer doesn't seem too concerned by any of the guilty charges. He'll make some bs apology and end up in the next county in 6 months as an officer again.

[@catpurinn]

I think that's wishful thinking on your part Robert. 🤔

[@RAINMAN309]

They should be letting a lot of people out of prison now

[@PoonPuncher]

@@Dragonfryers It doesn't seal narcotics convictions. He'll never be a cop again. He belongs working on the back of a garbage truck with the rest of the trash.

[@ericfitzpatrick5319]

Every case this former cop has ever touched, needs to be retried, due to the extreme possible risk of those people not recieving a fare trial!

[@dalehunt7771]

No all the charges need to be dismissed..new triall is another form of railroading

[@RETRO_BELL]

They were, it was hundreds

[@alisonarrowsmith2064]

Yes, every case he was involved in at a minimum needs to be reinvestigated and civil suits need to be filed by the victims of this deranged psychopath! I feel so sorry for these poor people who were wrongly convicted and charged! We were taught to trust the police….unfortunately that is no longer possible.

[@johnproctor6438]

I was a patrolman for just under a year before resigning and enlisting in the military. This shit? Happens so much more than I would ever have believed, and IA along with the police unions, do nothing more than give a lot of departments the old, “atta boy” treatment. Illegal arrests, unlawful detainment, manufactured PC, and citizens ignorant to what their rights actually are has transformed the legal system in this country to one step above a kangaroo court.

[@troytellsit493]

Hey cannon fodder, you’re guilty by association. Clearly you knew this shit was going on. What did you do to stop it? If your answer is nothing, you’re just as bad as they are.

[@gogurtz1738]

I was prior active duty Marine, I got out almost two years now. I recently applied twice to the university police, the first time I failed the second interview and the second time I am currently waiting for the email to see if I got hire. Do you still recommend me going into law enforcement? And what branch of the military you enlisted in?

[@ichiban308]

It helps them get the department more funding and the officer bigger "production" numbers (ie. More cash for the department via seizures of money and property). It may not be openly supported by the department but the policy and procedures definitely encourage this type of behavior. I think most police officers are honest and want to support their community, but the code of silence about reporting behavior like this taints everyone who wears that badge.

[@stephenbowles7153]

kangaroo court or police state

[@steve-o4153]

COPS WHO DO THIS SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH WHAT THEY TRIED TO PLANT ON THE PERSON PLUS WHATEVER CHARGE YOU GET FOR PLANTING DRUGS

[@michaelbahr908]

Thankfully they do. He got found guilty of all of the possession charges he tried charging. Total scum

[@pierrebringmans4274]

let his victims decide how long he need to go in jail

[@yolandanorton6358]

Too bad he will not be housed in general population.

[@samanthatucholski8982]

How could they find so many charges not guilty🙄??

[@cortmajor]

Over charged.

[@Leather_Daddy]

A lot of not-guilty verdicts don't necessarily mean the jury didn't think that the defendant committed those crimes, but rather that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence.

[@facundosterzerforino1704]

shame of jury, as crooked as the cop

[@45heisman]

​@@facundosterzerforino1704 well no. If you are on jury you are instructed to only say guilty of there was evidence thay somebody 100% did it. Some of those charges had 0 evidence at all. Now it's reasonable within the law for jury to decide he's a liar so I belive 100% he lied about the other counts and so he's guilty. But getting and entire room of jurors to agree to that line of thinking would be very difficult. I watched the whole trial there are charges that presented literally no evidence because of lost footage or some other nonsense. So to say jury is corrupt is nonsense it's just the way our justice system is set up and explained.

[@zl1booker]

he's the only one who got caught, many others didn't get caught and so the party continues

[@samlosier6557]

Sad but true...

[@TheMarkonsociety]

67 charges?!?! Well I have to say. I feel great seeing a cop convicted of possession of a controlled substance x5 That one right there makes me happy! cuz I had a cop do that to me one time in Grand Junction Colorado, Mesa County. I still remember his first name it was Shawn. Same name as me. Easy to remember and he worked for the police department not the sheriff and it was around 2005-2006. Pig.

[@TheRescueDog]

Maybe when he accused you he was projecting. Did you ever file a formal complaint?

[@liquidlinda2708]

I’m so sorry that happened to you! Those of us who were tortured in the hands of cops MUST speak about it!!

[@Binghiman72]

Imagine how many other cases like this where the victim is serving or served time in prison?

[@warren6172]

Could you imagine sitting in prison innocent thinking “What about me?”!!!

[@maryannmorris5688]

Sounds like that cop messed with the wrong person and got caught. He deserves life plus.

[@MissionaryInMexico]

Anyone NOT A COP. found guilty of perjury, fabricating evidence, kidnapping, etc... Would be LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.

[@sassyhusky4882]

Why was he cuffed in the front and not the back like anybody else would be? Already getting SPECIAL treatment unlike any other criminal! Makes me sick! 🤢🤢🤮🤮

[@publixskate]

you get cuffed in the front for court.. calm down

[@Ibelieveinfreedom]

@@publixskate no you don’t, so don’t talked shit without knowing!!!!

[@williamlong8859]

@@Ibelieveinfreedom depends on jurisdiction and nature of defendants conduct.

[@lesmcmanus7744]

@@publixskate they do cuff in front, I know been there many times

[@publixskate]

@@Ibelieveinfreedom ok fool.

[@bmk506]

The other officer is definitely his accomplice...can tell by his demener at the scene. I'd bet alot of money on it

[@rdj0981]

Jokes on us... You're poor af

[@SongWhisperer]

All cops are complicit in one another’s crimes, just like criminals and their associates are complicit in one another’s crimes. The only difference is that cops are held to a much lower standard to the law than civilians.

[@remotelylucy]

Bravo to the prosecutor who represented the victims. He was absolutely AMAZING in this case. Best prosecutor I've heard in a long time. He was very detailed and informative

[@KreepsKringetv]

WHAT A SURPRISE.... JUST LIKE THE METH IN THE CAR .

[@toniawilliams9882]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Right

[@gobigorange771]

Let hear all the great things you cop lovers can say about this hero of yours.

[@masdbo]

How many times has he used the line, “I’m not going to argue with you, you can tell it to the judge”?

[@1justice2012]

I now he’s going to get 8 months in jail, but for good behavior will be reduced to 2 months. Just pathetic that everybody didn’t get justice, he should be lock in prison for the rest of his life, for all the life’s he ruin just because he felt like it.

[@Fantazier1]

I hope that's not true and he gets more time than that. One other good thing is he can never ever be a cop again and screw up someone's life.

[@fucker1714]

I honestly don't think he'll sleep soundly for any night for the rest of his life. You don't think some of those victims are just going to forget about all that after 2-3 years...and there are A LOT of victims.

[@angelmedina2762]

This man got charged with possession and not illegal putting people away.

[@quijybojanklebits8750]

Nope got charged with perjury which stems from writing the wrong account

[@quijybojanklebits8750]

And guilty of fabrication of evidence

[@superman20029]

They found him guilty of false imprisonment, that’s exactly what that means............

[@sirmiklo782]

Uhhhh, false imprisonment?

[@11bravo82]

The Feds can and most likely will also indict him for violating the civil rights of each person of whom he was found guilty of planting the drugs on. This is what they r doing to Chauvin and his accomplices.

[@Ghostface-j1l]

I support that charge on Derek Chauvin and all the other charges.

[@tristramhurd7034]

They're only doing it to Chauvin because of the nature of the case. Don't get me wrong - that piece of sh** deserves everything he's going to get, but, the Feds are only stepping in to try and "keep the peace" as 10 years wasn't enough for that pos. The last time thewy stepped in like that was Rodney King, when those cops got off. They aren't going to file shit against this guy.

[@jonwhick3073]

There are thousands of cops just like this man just haven't been caught yet

[@lauryn7840]

When I see videos with people telling cops"I didn't give you permission to search my vehicle"...I used to think "Oh stop making trouble, let em search and get it over with".... not anymore.Now I know exactly why they wouldn't want them messing around in their cars.

[@JAASON9091]

You thought someone that was exercising their rights was “making trouble” wow! That mentality is why cops go around violating peoples rights. PATHETIC!

[@erneststrunk1342]

Just think how many relationships that he’s damaged. People thinking their loved ones are really doing drugs. Got clean. And probably had to fight and argue to try to prove their innocence. Then said fook it. I’m getting high. I’m getting falsely blamed. Might as well.

[@cosmicninjaSN8]

For real 👍

[@parrishharris3008]

That's the absolute truth

[@vladstepanchuk3086]

So true, it’s so hard to convince your close ones that you’re sober after years of drug abuse. This is so sad.

[@donaldbullock9718]

EACH DRUG CHARGE BAD COP ARRESTED SOMEONE FOR WAS A FELONY , AND THIS IS JUSTICE ?

[@masdbo]

I would think they will all request retrial and with good reason. Even the good arrests will be questioned and the expense of a retrial and obvious outcomes they will all be released, I would guess. I worry about those that can’t afford an attorney, hopefully the DA will do the right thing, but I doubt it.

[@offcenterforge1098]

There is no justice

[@wintonlee2169]

Know why the police department didn’t stop the criminal with the badge, because he was making the good apples revenue for their police department.

[@whitediamond5230]

He needs to be held accountable to the FULLEST. He needs to be in PRISON. 😠

[@gcarlson622]

A very sad day for the rest of his victims and their families.

[@gangoffour6690]

He has done damage to so many people who will never recover from their trauma.

[@erinm3980]

Agreed

[@sflo4538]

They may still win in a civil suit... the proof bar is not as high

[@ronaldwade4867]

They don't care if they completely ruin people's lives. They've been doing it for decades.... And getting away with it.

[@Jbmc65]

Any cop that is convicted of evidence tampering, planting drugs or lying under oath or falsifying a police report in order to try and convict an innocent person should automatically get life with possibility of parole after 25 years.

[@xxaguadaxx]

theres not enough jails for that!

[@Jbmc65]

@@xxaguadaxx I agree, but the amount of money they are costing tax payers, maybe we should invest in a prison for these criminals

[@tonihollingsworth5676]

I want to know why the jurors weren’t polled by their juror numbers. How dare they announce their names in court and KZbin! Shame on the court!!!

[@Fantazier1]

Yeah! I thought that was weird too. Must be a Florida thing. Were I live, you have a jury number.

[@NG-cf7zh]

They do it to try to intimidate people from finding police guilty. It's like the mob.

[@chocol8milk]

Each state does it differently.

[@easyabc1404]

@@EvansvilleJill Oh yeah!!?? So why not showing them live on camera then????????? Bailiff made a mistake.

[@croach2194]

In Canada it is against the law to publish the names of jurors. I agree with that.

[@survivingmalcolm5013]

Sad part is, His fellow officers 100% knew what He was doing was wrong .

[@prischm5462]

Unfortunately, I agree. I don't see how his partners could not have known.

[@survivingmalcolm5013]

@@prischm5462 Someone had to of reviewed his reports.

[@georgiaactivist8728]

They take an oath to uphold and enforce the law but really they are loyal to the so called thin blue line first. That's why most of the time we are told "We investigated ourselves and cleared ourselves of any wrongdoing."

[@survivingmalcolm5013]

@@georgiaactivist8728 exactly

[@andreabennington]

At the VERY LEAST any partners he ever had knew what he was doing.

[@1Yogaboy]

And then he was so arrogant to get on the stand and instead of apologizing for the wrongdoing he wants to challenge the prosecutor and because he thinks he’s so smart he can outsmart the jury and get off scot-free should’ve been convicted on every charge.

[@acepilot1]

Too much “Not guilty” IMO any crime like this should be a capital charge when committed by a law enforcement officer... FYI that means he would be able to get the death penalty for a single guilty charge

[@COUNTRY1212]

He has no remorse for his actions

[@amaranthinebeauty]

Sadly this happens often. Wonder how he could even sleep at night or go home to his family knowing he destroyed or interrupted peoples lives. No mercy for him.

[@JordanShackelford]

So yall can stop claiming it's only black people now, ya racists

[@d7angels19]

Because the bastard has no soul..

[@Tyrianl001]

WAY too many 'Not Guilty' verdicts...still, hope his stay is enjoyable

[@dondidykes5306]

So basically he's going to get away with a bunch of those charges

[@goodone8041]

Will they be consecutive or concurrent that. Give him 60 yrs for each count.

[@JohnDoe-zz3hj]

He looked at the jury 1 by 1 like he was going to arrest them for a moment, then reality set it, no more beating ppl up.

[@kennethstreet7868]

The verdict was a foregone conclusion, The only thing I'm interested in is seeing him sentenced to a million years in prison.

[@johnsharman7614]

Verdict Guilty on 19 Counts.

[@stevecrow559]

His father must be so proud.

[@bamahama707]

Well, not really.

[@gangoffour6690]

Like father like son. Just saying.

[@1776Angry]

Not as proud as Momma will be rolling that 55 gallon drum of KY up to the visitors center to bring her baby some relief.

[@johnsharman7614]

@@1776Angry 🤣🤣😁🤣😁🤣😁🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵Its Xmas Time I wonder if he will be in the Big House Over Xmas?

[@rufusblanton2174]

It takes a real low life person to bring his father up in this matter.

[@thevoid5955]

It would be brilliant if the judge states he's "in the Christmas spirit," right before shipping his ass out for 60+ years.

[@conradeddie3776]

I'd love to hear the judge say, I AM THE SPIRIT OF INNOCENT VICTIMS OF THE PAST!

[@amandamiles7098]

How this man had any not guilty? The law ain’t nothing.

[@jimmyjam5453]

Because the jury still sees him as a police and police can do no wrong.

[@mmmark8737]

Even in solitary, he's going to have fun picking pieces of dirty needles out of his mashed potatoes. This is going to be a very bad time for him.

[@pauldaniels2766]

And don't forget the shit sandwiches

[@grandrising8890]

So it should given what he subjected innocent people to. I hope they judge throws the book at him. A clear message needs to be sent to crocked officers your days are numbered! London 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Lildarlin1]

11 out of 12 on that stand will receive part of the lawsuit. Even though their names were not called, they had their cases dismissed but they still had to go through the pain and suffering plus every penny they had, jail and a record even though it was dismissed. Only one on that stand wasn't part of the lawsuit as of now. Someone said yesterday the others will not receive compensation. They will. Joshua Emanual is the younger guy that the Lt. has known since he was a little boy. I watched his arrest on Video and how he was at the courthouse yesterday after hearing the verdict. He was greatful for the jury and said he had the other ones in his heart, when their names weren't called, but without them, none of this may have not been enough. Zachery Wester messed with the wrong,....Joshua Emanual

[@chrisparker9886]

Those cases will still remain on their records until they're expunged.

[@jayknot6684]

Now the feds need to come in and charge him with civil rights violations as well.

[@mikebe41]

The FBI investigated him and said he did not abuse anyone's civil rights

[@JustinOhio]

I like how his attorney gives him a pen and a sheet of paper to mark his counts as it's going along....just to give something to do so he doesn't sit there and freak out. Like giving crayons to a child at the doctor's office, lol.

[@carolbohm9654]

Thank goodness this is finally happening. I love it that people are now able to video cops and their criminal acts.

[@kenbowman5093]

The State Prosecuting Attorney was young and inexperienced. This should have been a Home Run.

[@steve7015]

Such a bad decision to go with this inexperienced prosecutor. I agree, a seasoned pro would have been way way way more convincing.

[@paulabrown6840]

Disagree

[@bbraswe2]

Yes counsel did not do their job here

[@chocol8milk]

The State Prosecutor, Thomas Williams, could have done a much better job. But I doubt he is inexperienced. The FL state bar admitted him 9/21/2009, so he's been practicing law for a while. He remains a member of the bar in good standing.

[@erinm3980]

I thought he did an excellent job. But, I am disappointed in the verdict.

[@sharir.878]

Corruption needs to be rooted out, people who abuse their power and the public trust all need to be accountable from the top down to the bottom of all agencies.

[@waynegordon6385]

Then this means everyone in government should be in jail.

[@williamlee7482]

@@waynegordon6385 Not everyone in government is corrupt because there are good people in government too

[@waynegordon6385]

@@williamlee7482 please don't BELIEVE THAT.

[@williamlee7482]

@@waynegordon6385 YOU can't say everyone because that would mean 100% of all government employees are corrupt which is nowhere near to being true . There are good people in the government because I've dealt with them when I had to and they wernt corrupt nor were they on the take . That's like saying all cops are bad just because some INDIVIDUAL cops are bad. My uncle used to work for the government in the social security administration and he was not only honest but went out of his way to help people

[@waynegordon6385]

@@williamlee7482 I'm speaking of your rich and filty politicians who do not give a dam about you, me, or America.

[@carlam6669]

If I had been on the jury my thought would be if Wester lied once during his testimony then he was lying about everything and thus I would believe all the victims who testified. Thus, guilty on all counts. At least he was found guilty for some of them. I wonder if additional charges will be filed based on other victims not referenced in this case. Double jeopardy should not apply because these were separate acts.

[@ryang7219]

Good content. Can't believe he can only serve 13 and a half years max, can anyone tell me a number to call to voice my concern or give me some insight on how that is even possible? Normal citizens sometimes get way more time if they only committed one of the offenses he was charged with. He should've gotten more time because he was committing crimes under official capacity and under the color of law. Thanks

[@jackf498]

i agree ...just taking away his freedom for even 100 years isn't enough....id like to see his victims have their way with him ...

[@davidrichards9529]

He will hopefully face federal charges of rights violations on every person that he did this to and will face more time for that.

[@mmmark8737]

@@davidrichards9529 I hope you're right. He got off easy on this one.

[@johno9507]

Call your congressman.

[@larryvelasquez662]

His justice will come in jail.

[@ControlTouchMaster]

How many times did he do this before getting caught? Every single one of the previous arrests he made should be under review.

[@shellythrivelife]

Unbelievable he was GUILTY of all. Very sad all his other victims didn't get justice today.

[@bethlouden971]

They just didn't have the evidence to prove the others 😥

[@johnnyhawkins43]

I just hate most crooked cops!

[@AtlasLathe]

End Qualified Imunity for these criminals of the Thin Blue Line. I wonder how many of his fellow officers knew and kept quiet about his crimes

[@greendiver5063]

His entire history needs to be examined. The thought of individuals lives being ruined, imprisoned, all because of this Police Officer that was corrupt, egocentric with power and authority over others, ruined families, legal fees, and Court histories that cannot be undone. Shameful. Modern Police needs to be overhauled across the country.

[@mvirg5517]

The fact y’all believe that this is a isolated thing is the funniest shit ever

[@JordanShackelford]

No one believes that. But yall ruin your credibility when you try to claim that they only do this to black people

[@gangoffour6690]

Thanks Tallahassee Democrat for bringing this to us 👍

[@sharon61270]

Ashley Moody is the REPUBLICAN AG OF FLORIDA- this is state of FLORIDA case - how u wanna thank a Democrat? AG IS who brings charges and even state in case of STATE of Florida?

[@PraetorTN]

@@sharon61270 Sweet baby Jesus in a manger... Slow your roll. The Tallahassee Democrat is the periodical that was merely reporting the case. Rage much?

[@jamessoltis5407]

@@sharon61270 ...derp.

[@DaveSwart]

@@PraetorTN lol - that’s funny shit

[@elonmust7470]

@@PraetorTN Auditors are also democrats are some very confused people...

[@missmouse20]

I don’t know what each count is so hearing all of the “not guilty” is alarming.

[@JW-ux4ey]

I noticed he is charged mostly of drug paraphernalia. So, he wasn't really charged with planting most of the drugs, but for having the drugs. Wow....

[@Buster_928]

More "glossing" over for cops. This has to stop.

[@demetrawest9914]

He should have been found guilty on all charges you can't take this dirty 🐷 word on anything concerning drugs cases.

[@cperceptionsmusic]

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas.

[@erinm3980]

Haha

[@debbiespinelli1]

😂😁

[@johnsharman7614]

🎵🎶And a Horrible New Year 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶

[@kimcwhite6509]

Yes☝️. I was thinking the same👏

[@warrencarter1555]

To bad Santa out the game for a minute. Lmao

[@Skye-md5pt]

Unfortunetly he will get a light sentence when he deserves the maximum sentence. He must be held to a higher standard than the average citizen therefore should recieve a sentence that is over and above that of the average citizen.

[@BobSmith-zj5jr]

They should combine the sentences of all his victims then multiply by 2 for his betrayal of public trust.

[@Nickcooperrei]

That jury bootlicked hard on those verdicts. I seriously can’t see how he wasn’t guilty on most of those. They convicted him on the weakest charges. Dude is only gonna serve a few years for this.

[@bbraswe2]

No, they didn’t. Stay as a burden to prove guilt. The state did not prove it

[@pm5206]

bee Doesn’t matter because the state hides and lies. Just do your job right and convict hard to send a message against thugs. Hence George Floyd. Maybe true justice happened. Jurors supposedly have power to do what they want. True activism should be in the jury pool. That’s real activism so we can finally get justice.

[@whatthesamhill5682]

@@pm5206 Oh geez. Please tell me that you are not eligible to be on a jury.

[@ipsurvivor]

@@whatthesamhill5682 👍

[@ipsurvivor]

@@electricpaper269 👍 I’ve been called a bootlicker for merely pointing out the case law or the statutory law. I’ve also been kind of accused of being a cop hater for merely pointing out the judicial and statutory law on pro-cop pages. People on both ends of the spectrum will bend over backwards to make things conform to their biases/preferences.

[@fasthackm]

I'm a former cop & USAF Vet : I support P O L I C E R E F O R M. Defund the POLICE

[@whatever5575]

as a former cop, can you tell us what percentage of police force is allocated to milking money from traffic citations vs solving actual crime?

[@Freddieduda]

It's hard to trust juries when law enforcement is being prosecuted.

[@PC-vx6ko]

It's hard to trust law enforcement, with so many criminals in their ranks. People, in general, should not be trusted. A truly trustworthy person is rare.

[@bodhi1462]

Honest people get slammed in our unjust system.

[@bbraswe2]

Clearly, you’ve never served on a jury

[@pm5206]

bee Keep defending injustice. Jury sucks! We don’t need juries. Only good judges. Jurors have no true experience in judgements. America is a broken country like other countries are. Too many worship the state and it’s scary. America is an idol for many.

[@Fantazier1]

@@pm5206 LOL...Judges can also be corrupted, even the so-called good ones.

[@computerbob06]

How can he only be found guilty on some counts? I feel sorry for the people who's cases he was judged to be not guilty on!

[@paulabrown6840]

He’ll still get a lot of time...false imprisonment and possession charges will add up.

[@gschmidt820]

A friend in Fl. told me that the false imprisonment charge is equivalent to kidnapping. ( in Fla.)

[@gangoffour6690]

@@gschmidt820 Kidnapping is a big offense in every state. Let's hope they really stick it to him.

[@gschmidt820]

@@gangoffour6690 Obviously, ... I was just pointing out the semantics. False imprisonment= Kidnapping/ 30 years to life, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that he won't face even a quarter of the time in his sentencing. I hope his sentences run Consecutively.

[@1776Angry]

Probably not. He'll get to serve them concurrently, not consecutively.

[@easyabc1404]

@@gangoffour6690 Fake news and rumors again. Kidnapping is a FEDERAL offense. So it will be easy for him.

[@mirandarawnews5337]

📸This is why minorities need to start being on jury duty 💯Change and Awareness is so important 👊💯🎥Always record GOVERNMENT 📸🎥💯

[@keytobe1]

Was this a jury of his peers, or his friends & family?

[@ThaiChinaMalay]

If it was as you insinuate, ALL the charges would have been not guilty. You are absurd.

[@nomadjeff1922]

In Jackson County Florida they probably were all known to him and or related.

[@bbraswe2]

Both the defense and the prosecution have a say in the jury. If one side did not do their job and that is their fault

[@ipsurvivor]

@@bbraswe2 👍

[@erinm3980]

Right

[@grantyboy0311]

Fry this dude!

[@missourikatt]

Jury NOT very smart 🙄This is why so many criminals walk ! Jury wouldn't be so happy to find this thug not guilty on so many counts had this been them or their family members! Disgusting! NO logical mind can believe that his camera malfunctioned or accidently got erased after uploading to the server EVERY SINGLE TIME!

[@drwlawesq.8222]

Ya until you or one of your loved ones finds themselves in front of a jury. You are disgusting.

[@missourikatt]

@@drwlawesq.8222 Sorry you feel that way 🤣

[@keiron.4612]

@@drwlawesq.8222 you're even more discusting I can smell you from here 🚿

[@missourikatt]

@Connie Hughes Yes, he did get charged with some but not nearly enough Imo. I sure hope he gets some serious time out of those he was charged with though. 💙

[@bbraswe2]

You clearly have never served on a jury

[@veronesewilliams7897]

Surprisingly they SAID GUILTY

[@me005003]

Justice will be served in prison, he should be placed in general population. Sweet justice!!

[@steve-o4153]

HE WILL GET PROTECTIVE CUSTODY BECAUSE HE WAS A COP ITS BULLSHIT BUT JUST BECAUSE YOUR IN PC DOESN'T MEAN YOU CANT BE TOCHED!

[@me005003]

@@steve-o4153 EXACTLY!! Hopefully he'll get the same protection Whitey Bulger got after his transfer.

[@steve-o4153]

@@blkcease8252 read what I said. I said he can still be toched while in PC so idk why you would say that

[@Esther-lm6pm]

The laws are on the side of the cops not the average citizen. Average citizen would be charged on all counts. But not cops

[@cricri5449]

What the jury didn't see PINOCCIO?? Even his lawyer was surprised !!!

[@Cops-R-Bad]

Wester...you deserve all that is coming your way