I hadn't followed the case too closely apparently as a) I was shocked at the verdict until b) I saw it was a criminal trial. That's a pretty tough standard to prove criminal intent and in hindsight, it should have been expected that he'd get off. I think even a civil suit might be tough. Bottom line is that a cop can pretty much round up anyone in this situation for loitering (although the Sonic incidents might prove otherwise). After the initial incident itself, I think it'll still be a slow crawl to justice for some on this. As a non-involved person on this incident (although I live 5 miles away, therefore perhaps I was loitering in my living room), the firing of Aguirre did the bulk of the corrective action in my eyes. We'll see if any of the civil suits prove differently.

Civil suits have a much lower burden of proof than criminal cases. "Indifference" may well be enough for a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. It is possible, though, that the acquittals will help the city and Aguirre defend themselves by claiming there were no criminal misdeeds by the police. Hey, wait a minute - there's a conspiracy theory in there somewhere...

Indifference on the part of Aguirre may not be enough to convict here, but generalized recklessness on the part of the HPD during the raid is likely to be what the civil suits will turn on.

This is still going to cost millions.

Man, how can an educated person get so far off base. Bradford was NOT charged with cussing. He was charged for lieing about it during an official proceeding (namely a civill service commission abritration hearing.) He lied. Does not matter what he lied about, he lied. Of course, you probably say that Clinton was indicted for sex, too.