Joe Grits, given name Joseph Thompson, is a provocative social media activist and rapper recently arrested by city police for threats he made on Instagram calling for the death of a police officer following the shooting death, what he calls a murder, of his friend Dyshan Best who died following a foot chase.
Police Chief Roderick Porter declared that the police officer who discharged his service revolver that killed a fleeing Best was justified as Best appears to be brandishing a firearm in view of officer Yoon Heo during a chase on the East Side, according to a preliminary finding by Connecticut Inspector General Robert Devlin.
The attorney representing Best’s family claims it was a vape and not a gun. Police said they found a gun on the ground at the scene. Devlin’s office is conducting an investigation into the police-involved shooting.
The arrest raises questions about First Amendment rights. Was Grits expressing as an artist versus citizen? So far, Grits says, he plans to represent himself in this case.
CT Examiner reporter Dan Tepfer has more:
Thompson, 39, is charged with second-degree inciting to injury, a felony under state law that applies when someone publicly or privately advocates, encourages, justifies, praises, incites or solicits the unlawful injury of a police officer.
…According to Thompson’s arrest warrant affidavit, Thompson posted a photo of Heo on his Instagram account on April 4 with the caption: “Somebody gotta die somebody should die with a badge on.”
That same day, the affidavit states, Thompson posted on the Instagram page a photo of officer Heo with a tombstone over his face with the letters R.I.P. The rap song “Die” by Beanie Sigel was attached to the post.
The affidavit states that officer Heo expressed concern for his safety and the safety of his family as a result of the posts.
During his recent arraignment on the charges in state Superior Court, Thompson repeatedly told Judge Scott Jones that he intended to represent himself on the charges and claimed he was exercising his right to free speech when he made the postings.
Full story here
