From [HERE] PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association hosted a fundraiser Thursday night for a former police officer facing second-degree murder charges. Officer Rich Chrisman is charged with shooting and killing Danny Rodriguez during a domestic disturbance call last October.
From the inside of the fundraiser, held at PLEA headquarters, it looked like your typical police fundraiser with a money box at the door and plenty of cops scarfing down burgers. But then you realize the music is blasting to drown out protesters outside, and the name on the box is nothing if not controversial.
"Because it's important. Rich still has obligations, he has a family that he needs support for," said PLEA spokesman Joe Clure. Chrisman's former brothers are forking over their hard-earned cash to help. It seems like a sweet gesture until you look at what Chrisman's charged with.
Daniel Rodriguez -- and his dog -- were fatally shot by Chrisman when he and another officer responded to a domestic violence call at the victim's home. According to the notice of claim, prior to police showing up, Rodriguez's mothertold the operator no guns were in the house, but that didn't stop Chrisman from allegedly entering the house without permission and holding a gun to Rodriguez's head so hard that it left bruising visible during an autopsy --and that was before fatally shooting the unarmed man.
"Chrisman has been accused of second-degree murder. Why is there a fundraiser for him?" asked reporter Elizabeth Erwin.
"The fact that Chrisman is being supported by his officers should not be a surprise, because he's presumed innocent until proven otherwise," answered Clure.
Tell that to the people protesting outside.
"I think that it's disgusting that they would endorse a murderer," said protester Wana Doe.
Doe was joined by a couple of dozen others who agreed and said the union party line "innocent until proven guilty" does not apply here.
"There's two witnesses. The mother saw it and also his fellow officer. Sounds pretty hands down. That's why they charged him with second-degree murder and that's why we're here today," Doe said.
PLEA representatives said they're confident the charges will be dropped and that they know a lot of things the general public doesn't.
They wouldn't share that information with CBS 5 News.
Danny Rodriguez's mother couldn't comment on camera but called the fundraiser "immoral."