A case from 2011 has recently been brought back to light by The Free Thought Project. Officer Robert Lasso was shot and killed by George Hitcho Jr. after pointing a stun gun at Hitcho’s dogs. It took the jury a couple hours to find Hitcho guilty and sentence him to death, and those at The Free Thought Project are asking if it was justice.
According to reports, Officer Lasso was responding to a domestic disturbance and “ended up at the back of Hitcho’s house”. None of the source articles found elaborate further on Officer Lasso’s presence there, nor do they elaborate in-depth on the confrontation itself.
After Hitcho told the officer to leave and returned with a warrant, Officer Lasso called for assistance. According to Hitcho, at some point during the confrontation, Officer Lasso had pointed his gun on Hitcho’s face.
Responding to Lasso’s call for assistance, Police Chief George Bruneio arrived on the scene and instructed Officer Lasso to kill Hitcho’s dogs. After Lasso pointed his stun gun at the dogs, Hitcho, who by this time had his own gun, shot him.
Hitcho’s statement:“He tried to kill my dogs and pointed a gun in my face. I do not care if you’re a cop or not… Unbelievable.”
On May 24th, 2012, a jury of twelve affirmed their decision that George Hitcho Jr. should be put to death after a little over two-hour’s deliberation. According to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley Live:
“Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli praised the jury for its decision, saying the sentence shows society will not tolerate criminals targeting law enforcement officers. At trial, he repeatedly called police officers the barrier between order and chaos and said anyone who harms them must be punished.”
There were some who didn’t expect this outcome, including the county’s chief public defender, Michael Corriere. Corriere argued that Hitcho suffered from brain damage, which the jurors agreed with. It was found that Hitcho had a “diminished capacity to appreciate his crimes”. It was recognized that he was under emotional distress when the gun was fired, and the jury acknowledged that he had no previous record. All of these things could have been used to support a life sentence. Hitcho was meant to be an example.
On an additional note on June 6th, 2012, Officer Robert Lasso’s family accepted for him the Nathan Ogden Award, which is given once a year for distinguished service.
It has been reported that George Hitcho is appealing his death sentence.
Do you think this is a case of justice?
Sources:
Agorist, Matt. The Free Thought Project. Oct 29, 2013. (http://thefreethoughtproject.com/police-officer-shot-dead-pointing-stun-gun-mans-dogs/)
Daily Mail Reporter. Daily Mail. Aug 13, 2011. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025812/Police-officer-Robert-Lasso-shot-dead-pointing-stun-gun-mans-dogs.html)
Shortell, Tom. Lehigh Valley Live. May 24, 2012. (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2012/05/george_hitcho_jr_sentenced_to.html)
Shortell, Tom. Lehigh Valley Live. Jan 2, 2014. (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/01/george_hitcho_will_get_new_att.html)
Sistrunk, Jeff. Lehigh Valley Live. Jun 6, 2012. (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2012/06/freemansburg_police_officer_ro_3.html)
I don’t think that Hitcho should be put to death for what he did. I don’t think that Lasso had a right to point any sort of weapon at the dog or Hitcho unless he felt threatened and that’s not mentioned. Hitcho shouldn’t have killed the officer but had a right to defend himself and his animals since it doesn’t say that Hitcho had done anything wrong. The fact that Hitcho did kill the officer is wrong and he does deserve time in prison for that but I don’t think he deserves the death sentence.
the officer threatened him, and he defended himself
whats wrong about it?
In the Netherlands you will get a two years sentence for killing a police officer, the law is broken.
Animals are already mistreated enough like that, pointing a gun at an innocent animal that can’t really defend itself? Thats ridiculously stupid, he he had no right to come on his property without a warrant anyway.
They (the police) think they should be able to threaten anyone, anytime, and expect no natural reaction to protect ones self or family, including dogs, which is BS. Whatever happened to the individual’s rights in this country? Just because one or two police officers say so, doesn’t make it so.
I think its wrong to kill a mans dogs because they bark or protect their home.
It seems that killing dogs is another “fun” sport the law likes to do.
Give the man an award, and make him move to Canada to avoid death
It feels like there’s a lot missing from this story. From what’s written here, this would of been an acceptable act of self defense 100 or more years ago. Someone being ordered to kill your loved one will obviously prompt you to do something about it. What I’ve gathered is that the police chief George Bruneio is largely responsible for Officer Lasso’s death. If this was a fictional movie I would guess that the police chief plotted to kill Officer Lasso.
I would advise anyone who will read this article to understand that this is written in a way that tries to control your reaction to it.
I fully agree, they want our reaction. They cause the problems, then want to come with their “solution” to problems they create. That is why our country is in such horrible shape, and why a great deal are brainwashed.
USA thirsty for revolution, your government lock you, enslave you, poison you, spy on you, lie to you and you still smile and hail America.
The officer got what he deserved. Point blank. There are to many young cops these days being taught how to get away with what ever they want to. Hell no the man should not be pot to death for that. Hung Jury is all I can say.
I agree with you. The government is the problem with 99% of what is wrong with our country. So many people deceived.
If the motherfucker tried to kill his dogs, and didn’t even have a warrant to be on the premises the cop deserved what he got. It was the cops fault for not obtaining a warrant and I hope he rots in hell. As for George Bruneio, I hope he feels the pain he intentionally caused Hitcho one million fold. God Bless you George Hitcho, you were protecting who/what you love,
Shame on you prick
Your a dirty cop lover ass wipe!
Cop got what he deserved. He would go on in his CAREAR and murder other dogs
And innocent blacks and whites.
The discussion is pointless as the obvious answer was articulated quite well by the US Supreme Court in the John Elk case. Simply, in the case of a lawless arrest, – a person may use WHATEVER FORCE NECESSARY (including DEADLY – as did John Elk) to repel such WARRENTLESS action by the police who are – by the nature of their actions, -acting under the color of law (a felony in itself). In very simple terms: In a civilized society, -police that act outside of their authority are begging to have their brains turned into a pink mist. An UNCIVILIZED society will accept the tyrannical behavior – even try to excuse or justify it. The following is RAPIDLY becoming my favorite movie scene of all time: Time index 1:00 to 3:37 in the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFxaCa-hr8o
Thank you, sir.
Maybe a better lawyer would’ve helped pubic dependers are worthless.
I think little of you are failing To realize that they have a job to do how would you feel if your wife was raped or murdered are you lassos family think how they feel that’s what the court system and 12 people are therefore to decide, so they are all wrong to right?No. Police are to serve and protect. There are some crooked but by a lopsided margin. No cop deserves that and dogs are man’s best friend agreed but the saying goes they take after there owners well point proven true
If my wife is raped or murdered, it will be because she, I, or both of us dropped the ball. We neither need nor want a police force to prevent rapes and murders. We need people taking responsibility for themselves and their safety. I have seen police cars with the words to serve and protect written on them, but luckily, I have learned to not believe everything I read.
So just so i’m clear, if your wife is raped or murdered you will just respond with oh well, I guess we messed up? You’re a liar.
If you understood my comment to imply inaction, I believe you should perhaps read it again. My comment is that she and I do not need a cop(s) to prevent rape. Only in the event that she, I or both of us dropped the ball would she be raped. That is what the “if” means. We have not dropped the ball, and neither she nor I am in fear of being raped. The prospect of raping armed people has the same likelihood of success as drawing a square circle.
Murder we cannot stop as easily. If someone shots us in the head, blows up our home, or stabs us in the heart, we will die. We cannot prevent that, but unless the police have learned some truly nifty magic tricks, they cannot prevent it either. Quite clearly, my position is that people should be responsible for themselves and that police are both unneeded and unwanted.
If your position is that we would call the police for assistance, I will simply say that you do not know us, and you will probably never understand the principles of liberty. Liberty requires responsibility.
What was his distinguished service that he received an award for? The jury here was a tool. Cops are now the criminals and NOT the friends of justice.
I won’t have let a cop tazer my dog down anyways, The man should have acted differently eventough he had the right to defend his little pal, Dogs are family members, not a Stupid being.
right!!
Finally! Wow. I’m 42. I have seen the United States’ involve itself in many “wars” for years. These soldiers have been hailed as *heroes* for, apparently, doing their job of soldiering. I am still trying to understand a definition of hero that includes doing what you’re hired to do, but I digress. Finally, I see an example of a true to life, honest to God hero. Way to go George Hitcho Jr. I am truly sorry that you didn’t get to kill Bruneio as well. I pray that you are released and continue your good work.
It is even a little funny to me. I’m guessing I have just been diagnosed with brain damage, because like Hitcho Jr., I do not appreciate his crime either. What did he do wrong?
If nothing else, this highlights my conviction that there is no sensible person walking around unarmed in the United States today, and I do not care where you live. This place is out of control, people. I long for the day when we say, “I see a badge, I kill the man wearin’ it! So run, you cur… RUN!” (said in my best Wyatt Earp from Tombstone voice) To remove the tyrant, we must remove those who enforce the tyranny. Sorry if you don’t like it. Sorry if you ain’t got the stomach for it. It is the way it is.
You are truly a disturbed individual. I see a badge, I kill the man wearin it? So I assume you NEVER call the police when you need them or when a crime is being committed against you or your family correct?
I have never had a crime committed against me or my family. For that, I thank God. If I called the police, and I stress that this is only an if situation, it would be to have them pick up the bodies. In truth, it is more likely that someone else would have to call them for that. I will not pretend to know what I would do under a set of circumstances that I have not experienced, but calling the cops is not in my defense program.
How is it Phreakin that you managed to jump to name calling and focus on the movie line I altered rather than consider the reason I proffered for the alteration? I am not a friend of tyranny nor am I a friend to its friends.
Who are all these jury people in many cases that are not able to see the real victim in a situation. A family pet can be just as important to a man as any other family member and those damn police just keep breaking into people’s homes and lifes to start killing them like it’s nothing. You can steal from me and I could hold my patience but try to kill my animals and I would absolutely stop you with whatever means neccessary. I support George Hitcho Jr. And reject his given sentence. The only true murder in this case is George Hitcho Jr’s execution.
Many people that have pets consider them as family member and threaten to kill them gives them automatically the right to defend them.
Sentence him to death gives me second thoughts about the jury, it smells a bit too much and i bet that the cops have been lying in the court as they have done before…
I have to admit, my dogs are my companions. Point a gun at them and you might find yourself suddenly face to face with Jesus. I dont know about all the details here, but I do know some cops that are pushy and power hungry thugs. That being said, most cops I know, are great and only want to protect and serve.
Just dont show up and threaten me and expect my dogs not to defend me…thats what they do. They dont know you have a badge, they just view you as a threat to their human companion.
The police are bad cats
Please, don’t insult cats.
Respective to the decision to seek the death sentence on this man is because of the fear that the state has of people standing up against the police and other authorities.
Ki am unaware of the circumstances that led to this outcome, but surely a better trained police officer would’ve been able to prevent this escalating to this outcome.
People are flossing trust in the system and police are the edge of dealing with people and politically motivated circumstances which are not working.
Things need to change …
millions of dead cops. We threw an awesome dead cop party that night….
So, AFTER this guy exercised his rights and told the pig to go get a warrant, he called backup (must not have liked a citizen knowing his rights) then, another pig ordered his dogs shot, for what reason exactly??? Pretty sure most people agree when I say pets are family, so this blue suited bitch just ordered Mr. Hitcho’s family killed, with no provocation OR WARRANT giving them legal right to even be on his property. Now Hitcho is facing the death sentence!?!! This system, it’s laws, the people running it and the sheeple it has created, were warned against by the people who founded this country. I love America, but fuck what we have let it become!
The police chief should be prosecuted for animal cruelty for ordering the dogs killed.
I can’t trust any of these recent anti police articles. I am as close to an anarchist in practice as a person can be, but the people who write all these articles have trouble spelling and apparently have no grasp on the concept of grammar, tell me why I should trust a bunch of words randomly slapped together.
If what is said is true, the cop deserved what he got. I got a dog myself and no one will ever point a gun at it and expect me to do nothing, you’re a cop, not god, you can’t just pick and pass on what ever you like because you are wearing blue. He had no business there without a warrant, and then after told to leave by the owner decides to call more people there and then point a gun at him and his dog… Well can’t say I’m sorry for the cop, I’m more sorry for the guy locked up.
He did good… if one would do it on my dog i would do the same…
Exactly
It just goes to show how out of control this world and some people in it are. In all fairness the cops are out of control/ first they were killing our pets then black men then black children and now its a free for all kill what you want and can and claim whatever you fancy.its a sick world we live in and we need everybody not just drs. But everybody to heal the earth.
This cop deserved what he received, and there’s no telling how many people he’s tortured. Hopefully we can put the rest of you in Hell soon, right alongside this evil monster.
What a rude society you have in the Us. What a shame that you still rule our world.This has to end. How disgusting
I have two beautiful dogs that are caring and loving, but will protect my property if anyone should try to enter. Many people have dogs not only as pets and members of the family but also to help protect their families and property. If anyone did anything to them, I don’t care who it was, I’d shoot them in the face and dismember their bodies.
First, the cop was denied access to the property without a warrant – LEGAL
Second, the cop then acted against legal procedures that they are SUPPOSED to follow, then proceeded to threaten the man with his firearm, which to me, if a cop does something illegal, he is then considered a normal citizen. If any person pulled a gun on me, I have all the right to react with lethal force.
Third, the senior officer, once on the scene proceeded to escalate the confrontation by not resorting to go get the Warrant and enter the property legally and ordering the dogs killed.
Three basic, logical points that anyone can see. If this were a case of a confrontation between two “citizens”, this man would have gone free. The jury overlooked the fact that both cops ignored the laws and processes in place required by all cops to follow and delivered a guilty verdict based on the “Cops can do no wrong” bias.
I bet they were all white, middle classed, never had a problem with the law types who believed in the system. Fuckin mouth breathers.
He should be granted his freedom, the cop should never have gotten a medal and the senior officer should be fired and charged with Aggravated Assault resulting in death since he ordered the other to shoot the dogs, knowing that the situation was dangerous and could lead to loss of life.
Police officers need to read this and take heed. I would kill for my dogs also.Police Acadamies all over the country are poorly screening and ill-training their personel.It’s a damn epidemic.
He looks like a Special Needs cop who needs another Twinkie.