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Prisoner Shot Dead
On September 30, 1994, death row prisoner Timothy Pride was shot dead by San Quentin, California, prison guards after being involved in a fight with another prisoner. According to witnesses, Pride was backing away from the other prisoner when shot. A prison spokesperson justified the killing saying: "From the taxpayers viewpoint, was the death of Timothy Pride a loss for society? Huge amounts of tax dollars are spent on appeals. This will probably free up a million dollars that can be spent for a childs education."
Over the past ten years California prison guards have shot dead 34 prisoners, over three times as many of those killed in all other states combined. In at least two other cases mentally ill prisoners have died after being shot repeatedly with electric stun guns. The Prison Law Office described Prides killing as "a clearly unwarranted use of deadly force." None of the prisoners who witnessed the killing were interviewed. Any money saved by Prides murder will only go towards fueling Californias billion dollar prison building machine, even as large sums of money are cut from childrens education.
Socialist Worker
Over the past ten years California prison guards have shot dead 34 prisoners, over three times as many of those killed in all other states combined. In at least two other cases mentally ill prisoners have died after being shot repeatedly with electric stun guns. The Prison Law Office described Prides killing as "a clearly unwarranted use of deadly force." None of the prisoners who witnessed the killing were interviewed. Any money saved by Prides murder will only go towards fueling Californias billion dollar prison building machine, even as large sums of money are cut from childrens education.
Socialist Worker
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