Drunk Erie Cop Receives Slap on Wrist for Dissing Murder Victim

April 21, 2009

A cop in Erie, Pennsylvania, recently left egg on the face of his department after a video was released that shows him drunk and jubilantly joking about a homicide victim. Nonetheless, his actions - as disrespectful and disturbing as they are - were not enough to get him kicked off the force, and he will be welcomed back in less than two weeks.

The video in question was made on the night of April 6 at the Treehouse Tavern in Girard, PA. In it, off-duty patrolman James Cousins II goes off on a profanity-laced rant about 31-year-old Rondale Jennings Sr., a man who was shot and murdered outside an Erie bar on March 28.

"It looked like (expletive) out of a movie. Right in the middle of the (expletive) forehead, right between the (expletive) eyes," James Cousins II says on the video that was posted online. "The mom's right on the scene. They (expletive) lift the (expletive) bag off his face, and (it is) like 'that's him.' We're looking at it like, 'One less drug dealer to deal with. Cool'"

The seven minute video was posted on YouTube by an individual from Australia who was visiting family in the area.

On April 14, Erie Police Chief Steve Franklin was informed about the existence of the video.  As a result, he instructed Erie police Internal-affairs Inspector James DeDionisio to determine whether Cousins' behavior had violated the agency's conduct standards.

Hours later, the brother of the man who posted the video was visited by Cousins and DeDionisio. During the meeting, the man was asked to have his brother remove the video from the Internet and was also allegedly told that the video could result in charges stemming from a federal wiretap violation.

"They were just kind of threatening that they had talked to the DA and that it is a federal wiretap charge, and I must get it off," the brother said in an interview with Erie Times-News.

It remains unclear why DeDionisio had Cousins with him while he was conducting the investigation into Cousins' behavior.

According to District Attorney Brad Foulk, he was never consulted about the case and has no plans of charging the YouTube poster with any crime. Foulk did, however, say that an Erie police detective had contacted his office after YouTube refused to remove the video and asked about obtaining a court order to have it removed. Foulk said his office informed the detective that they would not be obtaining such an order.

On April 15, Chief Franklin announced that Cousins had been suspended with pay. Five days later, Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott held a press conference during which he announced that the internal affairs investigation was nearly complete.

"I know the community is concerned, and rightfully so, whenever you have something that goes to this level of outrageous behavior," Sinnott said.

Rondale's mother, Yvette Jennings, held her own press conference on April 21 during which she expressed anguish over Cousins' behavior.

"I am constantly haunted by the vision of the officer imitating my son while he was in the throes of death," Yvette said.

The victim's mother also asked for Cousins to resign his position.

"I am not comfortable with him remaining in law enforcement because I feel that he lacks the moral and ethical principles it takes to be a public servant," she said. "If he does not resign of his own volition, he should be permanently relieved of his duties from the Erie police department."

The case has remained in limbo until today, when Sinnott announced that Cousins would be suspended for ten days without pay. In addition, he will be required to attend alcohol counseling and to complete an evaluation regarding his "fitness-for-duty."

In regard to DeDionisio, Sinnott said the inspector would be reassigned.

Cousins' behavior has caused many local citizens and civil rights groups to question the ethics and integrity of the Erie City Police Department. Hence, it remains unclear why the city would take such a light approach to such a serious subject.

Watch the video on ErieTube.com (warning: strong language)

Photo Credit: Getty

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Comments

[cb]

You know, I sincerely sympathize with the family. But after seeing the video, my impression (which will be unpopular), is that the cop was trying to exhibit bravado with bar room pals. I took it that, as stupid as he came across, he was traumatized by the experience himself. He needed to be inebriated to deal with it, and his joking was his way of compensating for his own difficulties. I didn't get the impression that he would have behaved that way if he knew he was being recorded. It was nasty gallows humor. But I'm not sure he would say these things intentionally to hurt the family. I don't know him, but that was my initial reaction. Hopefully, he behaved with more decency and respect when actually in the presence of the family. He should not have been involved in the internal investigation of himself, however, but that is one of the negative aspects of the 'brotherhood of police'. The police should not have bullied the brother of the man who posted the video. Those that used intimidation should be punished. To me, that is more serious. Cousins should apologize publicly. And mean it. Perhaps if it has come to the point that he was that affected by the death himself, and unable to cope, he should consider resigning for his own mental health, aside from the pain that the family suffered as a result of his actions.

[Stacey CHarter]

CB - i agree with what you said and I thought the same thing myself. Cops see things that most of us could never imagine and amongst themselves use gallows humor to deal with it. In that sense , psychologically, it can be somewhat of a release. But I think, as you said, that this officer was deeply disturbed by what he saw and used his false bravado to handle the emotions. I for one would like to hear from the victims mom how the officer handled the situation on the scene. While in certain circumstances officers should follow a higher code of behavior based on their job positions, the fact that this man was off duty, and invoking his right to free speech can not be ignored.

[kolektor-photo]

"I know the community is concerned, and rightfully so, whenever you have something that goes to this level of outrageous behavior," Sinnott said.

Rondale's mother, Yvette Jennings, held her own press conference on April 21 during which she expressed anguish over Cousins' behavior.

[ER]

The gallows humor understandable if ignorant. As a combat vet I can empathize.
The intimidation of the guys brother (and lying)however should be grounds for immediate dismissal for both officers involved.
I'm sure the guys got a civil rights lawyer on his doorstep chomping at the bit to get some of the Erie taxpayers cash as we speak.

[tg]

CB - I wonder if you would be so understanding if it were one of your family members he was joking about to handle the stress of doing his job. And to make a remark as one less drug dealer is now stereotyping this man and his family. If it weren't for those drug dealers - that this country created - he wouldn't have NO JOB.

[cb]

"And to make a remark as one less drug dealer is now stereotyping this man and his family."

I did not see the video in it's entirety, apparently, because I missed that quote. I suppose I watched merely a portion of it on TV.

To your other statement, if someone in my family were murdered, I would be angry, in general.

I have known a few cops that were trying to do the right thing, largely, but have seen so much, that they become hardened in time. Sometimes they say crazy disgusting things but it is a way of coping. I've never heard them utter something like that though. Usually, they still stand for the victim, to get justice, regardless of the life choices.

[Gracie]

cb & Stacey,

Totally agree,

I worked for a pediatric specialist for awhile, and sometimes he/she "vented" about the day to day loss of chronically ill patients. If you were not part of the high pressure culture, some remarks would come off as callous and crude - especially since the patients were young. The outbursts weren't about or against a family or child - typically about the illness, and came from the pressure of and feeling helpless in caring for these innocents. And, this didn't come from everyone. Each member of the staff dealt with a tragedy in a different way, Some internalized, some rebounded, and some used externals to blow off the emotions. Unfortunately, some even added self-destructive behaviors.

I don't think cb or Stacey are saying what the officer did was right, tg, just explaining the whats and whys. I dare say we all hold in a whole slew of words that would be loosed from our tongues under a big swig of sudsies... (I know half my thoughts if spoken aloud would bring my g/mother to tears...) IMO anyone denying that is not really being honest with themselves.

tg, I doubt I would be so understanding had one of my family members been ridiculed in death, either. I don't think anyone here was suggesting that the officer's actions were right. Or justifiable.

LE needs to make sure they use other "appropriate venues" for stress relief, primarily NOT in the public view. Very hurtful to the family, very hurtful to the department, and a sad commentary on society.

Interesting to see if the action of trying to stifle the video from publication will be looked into.

Gracie

[whtthe]

it is sad that a mother can have such a thing tarnish her memories or grief of her child, if i were a griefing parent how much of a wonderful life my child brought into my life, why would i care about what others think or say, i can not believe this is a true action of a grieving mother, its a publicity stunt,,THATS ALL NOTHEN ELSE.,,
one would think the BIGGER issue would be the one where this officer was in a bar drinking and went out to drive a vehical after, is that not more of a crime,,,,,
and i am a black woman, so this is not a racial remark on the family,i personally belive they would NOT be making a public apperance or issue if the victim was white

[other]

People need to realize that police are just people; they are not put through the vigorous educational processes one with such power and such high pay SHOULD undergo. I have always said that all cops should be made to go to law school, but sadly most had trouble with high school.

[justagirl]

I agree with a comment I read inregards to this story, I believe Cousins was releaving something that has been building up for some time.

Men are taught not to feel or cry, instead they are to be tough. He saw a DEAD BODY and it ate inside until one day it came out.

I think police officers do a great job and they have to experience things every day that not everyone else does.

I also believe that people should not be video taping police officers on or off duty. It needs to be a law and followed by a fine. How do you think under cover cops get murdered?

Let the police handle this and stop posting the dang video everyone. Cousins doesn't have a problem its everyone else obcessed with watching the video.

For pete sakes let the man be. He obviously feels bad. He knows he did wrong. Maybe the police should insure all officers who experience something drastic be instructed on how to express what they are feeling inside so it doesnt explode out later.

[bussiere]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ZfLsql2kY
this is a rapper that was at the night of the shooting that the drunk cop in erie pa was talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ZfLsql2kY

[joann arnold]

I have a son that was beat up bu mr cousins tazed 4 times and never put in hand cuffs till he was in the police car this officer needs to be retrained in subdueing someone