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Trial begins for man accused of causing shootout in Paso Robles

January 9, 2014
Clifford Scott

Clifford Scott

Opening statements began Wednesday in the trial of San Diego resident Clifford Scott, whom prosecutors accuse of starting a shootout with a California Highway Patrol officer in Paso Robles in 2012. [Tribune]

On Oct. 27, 2012, a CHP officer pulled over Scott, 23, for speeding. During the questioning, Scott sped off and another CHP officer, Adrian Ayala, pursued him.

Scott crashed his car into a tree near Spring and 13th streets in Paso Robles. He then fled by foot and hid in a dumpster.

Ayala, 31, located Scott in the dumpster.

Then Scott rose out of the dumpster holding a 40-caliber semiautomatic handgun and started firing rounds at Ayala, according to Deputy District Attorney Eric Dobroth.A shootout ensued, and Ayala took three bullets before firing a shot that knocked down Scott, Dobroth said. The officer suffered several injuries during the gun battle.

“He was bleeding profusely,” Dobroth said.

Scott survived the shooting despite suffering numerous gunshot wounds, including one to his liver.

Prosecutors say Scott was a gang member carrying cocaine at the time of the incident. Scott is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer and several other offenses.

His attorney opted to wait to make his opening statement until later in the trial.

 


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So I read this morning Scott’s attorney’s cross examination of officer Ayala yesterday.


Mr. Mackaoui suggested that Scott might have been disoriented or confused from the crash. He went on to ask officer Ayala weather he commanded the suspect to come out of the dumpster with his arms raised, which he did not.


So Mr. Mackaoui, the first thing that a confused person would think is, “gee I better reach for my gun?” Oh I get it, he was confused and figured he was back in the hood and thought it was one of his rival gang’s homies gunning for him?


Ah one of the many reasons to love attorney’s. I know he is doing his job and Mr. Scott has the right to council and a fair trial but man does this lame argument insult the intelligence.


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“His attorney opted to wait to make his opening statement until later in the trial.”


Later? Like after he’s been convicted and sentenced to ’25-to-Life’?


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If president Obama had a son, he would look just like Clifford.


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I see he’s from San Diego…yes, there are plenty more where he came from.

In fact, things like this crime happen 3 or 4 times a week. Don’t believe me?

Just read the news for S.D.


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Why the namby-pamby headline? Accused of starting a shoot-out? Afraid to say that he is accused of attempted homicide of a police officer?


Clifford Scott tried to kill a CHP officer who was carrying a taser and a flashlight.


The officer gave this cretin the benefit of the doubt, and Scott removed all doubt that he deserves to be treated like the dangerous animal he is.


No doubt this case will be studied by the CHP as a case in point that you use your weapon, not your taser when searching for suspects.


I can only hope that our Attorney General Eric Holder doesn’t step in to claim discrimination against black gangsters.


-1

is that a hope chip on your shoulder?


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The officer should have fired every bullet in self defense. This eligibility was warranted by the suspect, required by the officer’s family and funded at the current level of taxation. Returned fire for the pupose of injuring is cruel and inhumane.


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The only thing missing is the PERP lived , to pull the same BS again


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Something I found interesting reading from other sources on the opening statements yesterday, was the fact that the officer at first was holding a flashlight and taser when he order him out of the trash can and he shot the taser first, then in the exchange of fire reached for his gun. Doubt if that will silence the crowd that complain about why don’t police use taser’s but here is one reason why it isn’t always the best first choice. Congrats to the officer for doing a great job.


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That was the suspect’s lucky day and same for the officer.I don’t know what the CHP training is but for most any other department, that would have gone against policy. Actually, that was just crazy on the officer’s part but maybe now a days they’re so spooked by lawsuits that he figured his safety was secondary to preventing legal claims.Glad the officer survived that one and I’m betting he won’t be pulling out the taser first in the future with a mostly concealed suspect.


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