Interpret the following real-life scenario based on the themes of the class. The authors we read (Alexander, Pfaff, McWhorter, Wilson, Wynn, the court cases, and the journal articles) would likely have conflicting interpretations of the role of law enforcement and the backgrounds and experiences of the civilians. Given what you have learned in this class, how would you interpret the car stop, the charges, and the background and lives of the civilians? Use each of the author’s theories to support your viewpoint (you may be refuting some authors’ theories).
Two police officers pull over a vehicle driving erratically in East New York in Brooklyn. The driver is a 30 year old Hispanic female named Gabriella, who resides in nearby public housing, and the passenger is her new boyfriend, a 26 year old black male named Anthony. Gabriella and Anthony had left Gabriella’s two young children home alone while they went to buy marijuana, and Gabriella was rushing home to be with them. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers smell marijuana and observe a package in the vehicle. They instruct Gabriella and Anthony to step out of the vehicle. Anthony removes his jacket and gives it to Gabriella. As he does so, the officers observe a gun hidden in the jacket. They arrest Gabriella for driving with a suspended license and arrest Anthony for possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a loaded weapon. Gabriella has no criminal record and is released from the precinct, with no charges. Remarkably, the officer does not inventory her vehicle while she is being processed. If they had, they would have found a plastic bag containing marijuana and synthetic marijuana that was destined for an inmate on Rikers Island. Just a few weeks prior, Gabriella had bribed a correction officer to smuggle some of the product into the jail for an inmate she had been romantically involved with. She was holding onto the remainder until new arrangements could be made to bring it into the jail.
Anthony is booked into jail. Anthony has an extensive criminal record. He was released from state prison a couple of months ago, after serving two years for attempted murder. He has 20 prior arrests, including sex offenses against a 12 year old minor when he was 16. He currently works as a drug dealer.
Through jail phone calls and visits, Anthony convinces Gabriella to take the gun charge for him, despite his verbal abuse. She provides a signed affidavit to his defense attorney claiming it is her gun. Over the phone, Anthony admits that the gun is dirty (has been used to kill someone). She brings her young son to the jail when she visits Anthony. Her children’s father is currently in state prison on a weapons conviction.
Anthony is released from jail a week later due to a paperwork issue and the fact that his arresting officer did not show up to court. The case is currently pending.
Over the next few months, Anthony becomes increasingly controlling and violent with Gabriella. He breaks her phone several times and refuses to let her speak with friends, including her inmate associate mentioned above. He frequently assaults her and once broke several ribs. She breaks up with him several times only to get back together. Gabriella has previously been the victim of domestic violence from her children’s father who is currently incarcerated.
Sample Solution
