[from occupied ga]

Because ultimately the voters of the district did have something to do with it.

But the voters and the taxpayers are NOT the same. See post 68 and particularly the link in that post.

[NonValueAdded]

It is the best that can be done. The sheriff is one of the major bad actors in this story (based on the reporting). He stepped in when the police wisely opted out. The sheriff is an elected official. Even if as you say, the voters are not the taxpayers, they will still be denied the largess their elected minions can dole out. The sheriff’s opponent will be sure to point that out. Furthermore, a judgment on the books will have a deterring effect. We can argue about how much of an effect, but under the current system it is the best that can be done. And a big judgment will make the locals think twice before messing with the family again. Hey, more power to the family to pierce the sovereign immunity flak jacket, but that is highly unlikely unless the Feds step in on a civil rights basis.