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You are watching an ARCHIVED VIDEO.  Tuesday 07th of September 2010 7:16:25 pm



Publication date: May 11 2010



Drug Bust Gone Awry

May 10 2010 FOX News Freedom Watch report on Columbia SWAT raid





Mike appears on FOX News Freedom Watch reporting on Columbia SWAT raid

The SWAT raid happened in Columbia, Missouri in February. The video hit the internet in May and immediately went “viral”.

The late night bursting into an otherwise quiet home. The gunshots. The sound of a dog yelping and then going silent after being shot. The image of a small boy being forced to step over his father at the command of police. The sights and sounds of a SWAT raid are not easy to watch.

These raids happen hundreds of times, everyday, in the country. Columbia’s just happened to end up on the internet.

There were no drugs found in the home, only a pipe with some marijuana residue on it. No illegal guns were found. The suspect, Jonathan Whitworth, was still prosecuted and pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. He paid $300 and court costs.

By all accounts, the raid was not successful. A variety of factors led to the problems, including the fact that the police waited eight days before serving the warrant.

When the Columbia Daily Tribune posted the video online, a firestorm of criticism was launched. Within a week and a half, the story was being covered by national news organizations. FOX News called Mike and asked him to join Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid on “Freedom Watch” with Judge Andrew Napolitano on Monday, May 10th.

The changes being made to the city’s policies and the reaction from the Columbia community are discussed in the interview.

This is the segment that aired.

 

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