Tanesha Anderson, Cleveland
Anderson, schizophrenic and bipolar, died after police allegedly slammed her onto the pavement outside her family’s home. Officers had approached Anderson after a caller reported her for “disturbing the peace.” Police claim that they planned to take her to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, and that she went limp in an officer’s arms. But Anderson’s brother and daughter deny the cops’ story and contend that the 37-year-old was slammed to the ground.
Kajieme Powell, St. Louis
Just days later and a few miles away from where Michael Brown was shot, officers gunned down Powell, who had stolen energy drinks and pastries from a convenience store. Officers said they shot Powell after he approached them wielding a knife with an “overhand grip,” and that he was within three or four feet of them. But video from a cellphone showed the 25-year-old standing farther away and with his hands by his sides.
