Quote:
Originally Posted by Can't Know
Who said I was asking him to lie? If he turns his back and the guy runs in, he's not lying, he didn't see him go.
I agree with you in the cold light of day that the guy probably would have died. But it was certain his son was going to, and if he wanted to roll those dice, it's not the responsibility of you, I, the cop or society to tell him otherwise. We're not him; we don't have the right to substitute our judgment and values for his.
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And if asked "Did you do all you could to stop him?", what should he say? But OK. Lets go along with your hypothetical case where the cop turns his back for a few seconds and goes "OMG! He did that!!! If only I saw it I would have stopped him.". If he decides some clown deserves to be lynched by the mob, you would support him in that decision? The principle is the same.
Yes and no. You are right that we don't have the right to tell him that. OTOH, considering that we are on the hook if he gets hurt, well, that kinda muddies the water a little.