Richard Poplawski: Two profiles emerge

post-gazette ^ | 4 April, 2009 | Dennis B. Roddy

[marktwain]

Friends described a Richard Poplawski far different from the 22-year-old man accused of gunning down three police officers today -- a partier sometimes, a guy in search of an understanding of politics, even a walking comedian. He was also convinced that the government wanted to take away his guns and his freedom. Richard Poplawski"I've known this kid my entire life and he was a good kid. He never had bad intentions. He never spoke about harming anybody," said Edward Perkovic, a lifelong friend who had known Mr. Poplawski since the two paired up at a daycare. Mr. Poplawski attended Immaculate Conception elementary school and moved on to North Catholic High School. A spokesman for the high school today said that he was expelled, but declined to state a reason. Mr. Perkovic said his friend stopped attending classes so he could take get his General Educational Development certificate then join the Marine Corps. Records indicate that Mr. Poplawski was dishonorably discharged from the corps during basic training. Friends said he wanted out so he could rejoin his girlfriend. When that relationship failed, Mr. Poplawski moved for two years to Florida where he worked as a glazier, helping to asemble and replace windows. He returned here in 2006 or 2007. Mr. Poplawski collaborated with Mr. Perkovic on an Internet show that featured clips --- sometimes from local news broadcasts, other times video from around the town --- where they discussed politics. Mr. Poplawski lived with his mother and grandmother in Stanton Heights. Friends said his parents had split years ago and that his father "was totally out of the picture."

[marktwain]

Richard Poplawski is not dead, so we will find out much more about him and his motives. He sounds like a very troubled young man. Someone suggested to me that if his mother or grandmother had called the police in a "lautenberg" scenario, he might have realized that meant the end of his ability to own weapons, and decided to shoot it out at that point. We may find out more if he decides to give a statement, or is allowed to.

[umgud]

This will be interesting. Usually the perps in these types of rampages end up dead.

[Texas Eagle]

Friends described a Richard Poplawski far different from the 22-year-old man accused of gunning down three police officers today -- a partier sometimes, a guy in search of an understanding of politics, even a walking comedian.

This guy is scum.

That being said, I can't help but wonder how the Obama butt boys in the media would cover the story if his friends had a massive demonstration to defend his actions like they covered the rallies held in honor of the black guy who killed four cops in Oakland, CA a couple of weeks ago.

Ha! Yeah. Right.

[Bedford Forrest]

Query - what did the scumball do to receive a dishonorable discharge from the Corps? And given his dishonorable discharge, how was he able to purchase or own any firearm? Does anyone think the BATFags will delve into these very real violations? Don’t hold your breath. The scumball coward had NO right to own any firearms, for crying out loud. Very likely there is a straw purchaser in the woodwork and he should be fried.

[gigster]

For my information, and perhaps others, is a dishonorable discharge from the military equivalent to a felony conviction? Is that what would prevent him from having firearms?

[sockmonkey]

Is that what would prevent him from having firearms?

I have no idea the reason, I just know it's one of the questions that if you were to answer yes to when you fill out the form when buying a gun, before they do the background check would disallow you from owning a firearm.

[Myrddin]

ATF Form 4473 question 12:
g. Have you been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions?

A yes answer is a disqualification for purchase of a firearm. Did he acquire the firearms before or after the dishonorable discharge?

[gigster]

Yes, I do remember that question in the last few weeks when I was filling out the form. Thanks.

[Eagles6]

The press is saying dishonorable discharge but it may turn out to be a less than honorable discharge. He supposedly threw a food tray at a DI in basic.

Whatever the case this idiot was a classic case of a loser living in his mother's basement

I'd like to know if all of these spree killers were on any psychiatric medication.

[metalurgist]

What you have here is another single mother raised boy gone bad.

[Eagles6]

Yep.

[AvOrdVet]

We gotta keep an eye on this story as the press and the lefties are trying to paint this guys as a disgruntled conservative “clinging” to guns... just another building block for gun control.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I've known this kid my entire life and he was a good kid. He never had bad intentions. He never spoke about harming anybody"

I say bull caca!! Someone just does not wake up one day and decide to kill as many cops as he can. This guy (not a kid another thing I hate is calling someone in their 20's a kid) had serious problems that someone in his family should have known about (like his mother or friends). I can't stand how so many people rise up to defend these scumbags by saying they were good people and I don't know how this happened.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"For my information, and perhaps others, is a dishonorable discharge from the military equivalent to a felony conviction?"

Yes it is. However, the report is that he threw a food tray at a DI. I doubt that can get you a dishonorable discharge. To get a Dead Duck or Big Chicken Dinner (Bad Conduct Discharge) you most likely have to do something pretty serious and get brig time. He probably got an Other Than Honorable Discharge. What they call an Administrative Discharge.

[KeyLargo]

Some good news for a change:

High Court Lets 1981 Cop Killer’s Conviction Stand

Monday , April 06, 2009

AP

WASHINGTON —
Mumia Abu-Jamal has lost his bid for a new trial in the killing of a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.

The Supreme Court said Monday it will not take up Abu-Jamal’s claims that prosecutors improperly excluded blacks from the jury that convicted him of murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia upheld Abu-Jamal’s conviction but held his death sentence invalid. The appeals court said it would not second-guess state court rulings rejecting Abu-Jamal’s claims of bias in the composition of the jury.

The high court considered only the conviction. The state has separately asked the court to reinstate the death sentence, but the justices have not acted on that request.

A Philadelphia jury convicted Abu-Jamal, who is black, of killing Faulkner, who was white, in 1981 after the patrolman pulled over Abu-Jamal’s brother during an overnight traffic stop.

Prosecutors say Faulkner, 25, managed to shoot Abu-Jamal during the confrontation. A wounded Abu-Jamal, his own gun lying nearby, was still at the scene when police arrived, and authorities considered the evidence against him overwhelming.

Since Abu-Jamal’s 1982 conviction, activists in the United States and Europe have rallied in support of his claims that he was the victim of a racist justice system. Abu-Jamal, 54, has kept his case in the spotlight through books and radio broadcasts.

The case is Abu-Jamal v. Beard, 08-8483.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512735,00.html

Mumia Abu-Jamal (born Wesley Cook on April 24, 1954)