Consideration for Samuel Lee Bassett, Air Force Veteran who was trying to save his dog
The Honorable Anita Alvarez State's Attorney, Cook County Illinois 69 W. Washington, Suite 3200
Chicago, Illinois 60602
@SAAnitaAlvarez
As you are aware, Mr. Bassett was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of felony battery on a police officer, and one count of misdemeanor resisting police. Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois, Jr. ordered Mr. Bassett to be held on $300,000 bond.
While these accumulated charges should not be taken lightly, as the criminal justice system is properly concerned with police officer safety, the context in which the offenses occurred bears serious consideration. In the heat of the moment, as Mr. Bassett stood before his burning home, he struggled to go in to save his dog while officers attempted to restrain him. As an officer put handcuffs on his left hand, Bassett allegedly raised his right arm with a closed fist and hit the officer in the face, leaving cuts on the bridge of the officer's nose. During the altercation, an officer hit Mr. Bassett in the face with handcuffs, leaving a cut on his left cheek. A police spokesperson later said that the officer's injuries were absolutely minor.
Mr. Bassett has no criminal record. It would appear that but for the intensely traumatic situation--watching his home burn while knowing that his dog was trapped in the basement--Mr. Bassett would not have had the physical altercation with police officers.
We respectfully request that, in light of the extenuating circumstances, Mr. Bassett's felony counts be reduced to misdemeanors, and the issue of his $300,000 be revisited with the court.
Updates
January 13, 2015
I never imagined the response here would swell the way it has so quickly because honestly I just kept thinking about that dog trapped inside. Seeing how many people actually care about what happened to Samuel makes me feel less like I am shouting into a void and more like maybe there is a real chance for some sanity here.
32 Comments
The man lost his home, his possesions and his dog and didn't even get to bury it! Let him out for pete's sake!
I had the pleasure to serve as a Security Policeman with Sam Bassett and I know how passionate he was about dogs as he was a military police dog handler. There is no doubt that strong consideration should be given to this Veteran who served his country. I encourage all that can to sign this petition and let your voice be heard!
HOW SAD !!
I would have done the exact thing. This poor man. What is wrong with people.
It was a moment of high stress and he was trying to save the life of a family member. You can't blame him for acting irrationally.
Jean-Michel
under the circumstances let him go he was i nshock thinking his dog was going to die and need to get to him the love of a animal comes first for most humans above all else please charge with misdemeanor he was in dire straits about the dog maybe everyone could meet the officer and mr bassett and talk about what happen and get it straight and come to a compromise.
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Consideration for Samuel Lee Bassett, Air Force Veteran who was trying to save his dog
The Honorable Anita Alvarez State's Attorney, Cook County Illinois 69 W. Washington, Suite 3200
Chicago, Illinois 60602
@SAAnitaAlvarez
As you are aware, Mr. Bassett was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of felony battery on a police officer, and one count of misdemeanor resisting police. Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois, Jr. ordered Mr. Bassett to be held on $300,000 bond.
While these accumulated charges should not be taken lightly, as the criminal justice system is properly concerned with police officer safety, the context in which the offenses occurred bears serious consideration. In the heat of the moment, as Mr. Bassett stood before his burning home, he struggled to go in to save his dog while officers attempted to restrain him. As an officer put handcuffs on his left hand, Bassett allegedly raised his right arm with a closed fist and hit the officer in the face, leaving cuts on the bridge of the officer's nose. During the altercation, an officer hit Mr. Bassett in the face with handcuffs, leaving a cut on his left cheek. A police spokesperson later said that the officer's injuries were absolutely minor.
Mr. Bassett has no criminal record. It would appear that but for the intensely traumatic situation--watching his home burn while knowing that his dog was trapped in the basement--Mr. Bassett would not have had the physical altercation with police officers.
We respectfully request that, in light of the extenuating circumstances, Mr. Bassett's felony counts be reduced to misdemeanors, and the issue of his $300,000 be revisited with the court.
Updates
January 13, 2015
I never imagined the response here would swell the way it has so quickly because honestly I just kept thinking about that dog trapped inside. Seeing how many people actually care about what happened to Samuel makes me feel less like I am shouting into a void and more like maybe there is a real chance for some sanity here.
32 Comments
My heart goes out to Mr. Bassett and the officer who was injured. I would have struggled to get free to get my dog also. Dogs become family members. I know it was a difficult decision for the policeman. He was trying to save Mr. Bassett's life. But if you could see Mr. Bassett's point of view and understand the love of his dog, maybe you could be more lenient because of the special circumstances and understanding the duress of Mr. Bassett thinking his dog would die in the fire. Thank you, your Honor, for any and all considerations in this case.
The man lost his home, his possesions and his dog and didn't even get to bury it! Let him out for pete's sake!
I had the pleasure to serve as a Security Policeman with Sam Bassett and I know how passionate he was about dogs as he was a military police dog handler. There is no doubt that strong consideration should be given to this Veteran who served his country. I encourage all that can to sign this petition and let your voice be heard!
HOW SAD !!
I would have done the exact thing. This poor man. What is wrong with people.
It was a moment of high stress and he was trying to save the life of a family member. You can't blame him for acting irrationally.
Jean-Michel
under the circumstances let him go he was i nshock thinking his dog was going to die and need to get to him the love of a animal comes first for most humans above all else please charge with misdemeanor he was in dire straits about the dog maybe everyone could meet the officer and mr bassett and talk about what happen and get it straight and come to a compromise.
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My heart goes out to Mr. Bassett and the officer who was injured. I would have struggled to get free to get my dog also. Dogs become family members. I know it was a difficult decision for the policeman. He was trying to save Mr. Bassett's life. But if you could see Mr. Bassett's point of view and understand the love of his dog, maybe you could be more lenient because of the special circumstances and understanding the duress of Mr. Bassett thinking his dog would die in the fire. Thank you, your Honor, for any and all considerations in this case.