Cybersleuths “have tracked down two men who allegedly attacked police officer Jeffrey Smith at the US Capitol during the 6 January insurrection, leaving him with injuries that have been linked to his death days later,” the Guardian reported on Saturday, August 14, 2021 (read story here).
A post on the HorsesAss.org blog (8/14/21, #28) described Smith’s death as follows:
“Following his rescue from the violent Republican terrorist mob by Capitol Police, Smith reported to the police clinic for assessment and was sent home without CT scan or other advanced diagnostics. While resting at home Smith suffered constant headaches, was unable to sleep, and exhibited agitation and depression. After 48 hrs he was ordered to return to work. Immediately thereafter, while driving on the Potomac Parkway he shot himself in the head.”
The two men were identified as Dr. David Walls-Kaufman, a D.C. chiropractor with a practice 4 blocks from the Capitol, and Taylor F. Taranto from Washington state. How they were linked to the assault on Officer Smith is described in the Guardian story and a Huffington Post article here. In part, that was because both wore distinctive clothing; in Walls-Kaufman’s case, a padded motorcycle jacket.
Smith’s widow immediately filed a lawsuit against Walls-Kaufman and Taranto seeking $7 million in damages (read the 8-page complaint here). She contends they “specifically and maliciously targeted” Smith because his face shield was up, “leaving his face and eyes exposed,” and Taranta “handed a cane or crowbar (or similar object) to Kaufman” who struck Smith in the head. The HorsesAss.org post says the object was a motorcycle tire iron, but the complaint says it was a “Ka-Bar TDI ‘self-defense’ cane.”
Note: At this point, these are only allegations, as neither has been arrested or charged with crimes related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol during which Officer Smith was assaulted and injured. A news story or legal demand for damages is not tantamount to a legal finding of guilt or liability. Due process for those accused is essential.
But we should also hope that all who participated in the violent attempt to overthrow our government will be brought to justice and compelled to pay for the damage and injuries they caused. The January 6 insurrection was a crime against all of us. It was a direct attack on our most basic freedom: Our right as citizens to choose our government. That makes it one of the most serious mob crimes in U.S. history.
The civil suit has some large hurdles. He was seen at a hospital, but was sent home. Maybe they took x rays, but it is going to be difficult to draw a line between specific injuries and these individuals. It is going to be extremely difficult to convince a jury they are responsible for his suicide. The defendants insurance will make an offer to see if they can get the suit to go away. [Comment has been edited. Some non-relevant material was removed. — Ed.]
Res ipso loquitur.